Last Wednesday, Riverkeeper, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Hudson River and safeguarding New York’s drinking water supply, held their Annual Benefit on Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers and honored Veronique and Bob Pittman who “have spent countless hours raising funds and awareness for myriad social causes, most importantly those involving our environment.” They were recognized for “their dedication and energy to Riverkeeper.”

I was first introduced to Riverkeeper’s work when Anne Hearst invited me to their annual benefit a few years ago. Bobby Kennedy Jr. spoke explaining the details and mechanics of Riverkeeper work.  It is all about maintaining clean rivers and clean water supplies – an increasingly challenging task that only infrequently provokes activism on the part of politicians who always seem to have some “economic” priority that supersedes the health of our water systems (and therefore the health of us).  Kennedy is a highly motivating speaker, however, and as the clock ticks down, we are seeing more and more the wisdom of his interests – because they are the interest of everyone, all living creatures.

Tuesday, a week ago, the Union Settlement Association, one of the largest human service agencies in East Harlem, hosted its 5th Annual Sounds of East Harlem Benefit Dinner at The W Hotel, Union Square (at 17th Street).

Nicholas Lowry and Temple Kane

Net proceeds will be used to help fund the large array of essential social services that the 110-year-old agency provides to 13,000 community residents each year. This year’s honorees, New York Councilmember Robert Jackson and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce were acknowledged for their remarkable business and philanthropic achievements in support of New York City.

Councilmember Jackson is a proud alumnus of the Settlement College Readiness Program Inc.’s Upward Bound program and he was honored for his service to the Upper Manhattan community, particularly in the area of public education. He has spent nearly 25 years fighting to improve New York City’s public schools.

In 1993, while serving as a Community School Board President, Jackson and Community School Board 6 Attorney Michael Rebell founded the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, a coalition of parent organizations, school boards, citizens and advocacy groups that successfully sued the State of New York for underfunding New York City’s public schools.

Also honored was the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). Originally incorporated in 1886, GHCC is Upper Manhattan’s oldest continual business organization and has played a vital role in the revitalization of Harlem and Upper Manhattan, launching the enormously successful Harlem Week, Harlem Jazz & Music Festival and the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame Gala. Union Settlement and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce are working together to bridge the space between Harlem and East Harlem, providing more opportunities across the areas to all residents.

Musical entertainment for the evening was provided by the students of the Mariachi Academy of New York. The evening also included an exciting live auction hosted by renowned auctioneer, Nicholas D. Lowry, a regular on the PBS television show, Antiques Roadshow, and President of Swann Auction Galleries.  Proceeds will help sponsor services such as childcare, youth development, adult education, mental health and senior programs as well as provide the unrestricted funding so essential to our ongoing operations.

Union Settlement Association is one of the largest and oldest settlement houses in New York City. Since its inception in 1895, Union Settlement has provided resources to the community of East Harlem, while advocating for social and economic justice and fostering local leadership. Each year we serve more than 13,000 people of all ages with effective programs in education, childcare, senior services, the arts, recreation, counseling and community development.

Edward Lamson Henry's idealized renderings of America's past and vivid depictions of post-Civil War America were brought together for the first time in a new exhibition at the New-York Historical Society entitled, Historical Fictions: Edward Lamson Henry's Paintings of Past and Present.

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