The Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee hosted their sold-out annual Fall Luncheon on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, which raised over $360,000. Held at four locations throughout Central Park, the event celebrated the beauty of the Park and the critical work of the Central Park Conservancy to care for it.
The annual fall luncheon supports the Central Park Conservancy in its mission to maintain the Park as a respite from the pace and pressures of city life for all New Yorkers and visitors. The funds raised are essential to the continued management and restoration of the Park and its many programs, serving all of New York and one of its most renowned cultural destinations.
Event co-chairs Aileen Bruner, Angela Clofine, Kathleen Tait, Marisa van Bokhorst, Women’s Committee President Jenny Price, and Central Park Conservancy President & CEO Betsy Smith enjoyed a successful event on the spectacular Wednesday afternoon. Guests included Katherine Gage Boulud, Ainsley Earhardt, Sharon Jacob, Gillian Hearst, Alexia Leuschen, Michelle Miller, Nicole Miller, Gillian Miniter, Margo M. Nederlander, Elyse Newhouse, Barbara H. Scott, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Tanya RIvero Warren, and Gigi Stone Woods.
Welcoming the group with remarks during her first luncheon as Women’s Committee President, Jenny Price said, “It is such a joy to bring together this dynamic group of philanthropists who are completely dedicated to celebrating and supporting Central Park. By hosting our annual fall luncheon in multiple locations throughout the Park, our members gain a unique view of their support in action.”
“The Conservancy’s work would not be possible without the support of the passionate members of the Women’s Committee who dedicate their time and energy to helping us achieve our goals,” said Betsy Smith, President & CEO, Central Park Conservancy. ”I am grateful to Jenny and the entire Women’s Committee for raising critical funds to help us keep Central Park a resilient and beautiful respite for all New Yorkers.”
The Women’s Committee is a community of Central Park enthusiasts with a passion for preserving and enhancing Central Park. The Committee provides invaluable support to the Conservancy and has raised over $215 million since its inception in 1983.
The Committee is responsible for the management of many Park-wide programs, including Adopt-A-Bench, Conservancy Docents, Gilder Run paving stone program, Olmsted Visionaries planned giving program, Perimeter Association, Playground Partners, Tree Trust, and Tulips & Daffodils donations.
Visit centralparknyc.org/womens-committee for more information.
Over 250 guests took a trip back to the ’70s last week when founder Henry Buhl and the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE) hosted its 2022 gala with a Studio 54 theme. Held at landmark Capitale NYC, the event marked ACE’s 30th anniversary. This year’s honorees included Steven Rand, Stephanie Rader and Howard Greenberg.
As guests enjoyed signature cocktails and mirror balls threw a light show across the space, classic disco played and a dancer clad in gold sequins welcomed guests from a giant coupe champagne glass.
The Hank Lane band serenaded the room before the evening’s highlight performance — a jaw-dropping set by the legendary Gloria Gaynor.
Guests included Denise Rich, Jill Stuart, Larry Leeds and Ginger Feuer Leeds, Arnie and Paola Roseshein, Jorge Iragorri and Lauren Imperato, Dr. Samuel Guillory and Adrien Arpel Howard Greenberg, Eric Pogue, Noel Patton, Gregg and Lisa Schenker, Dale and Renee Schlather, Bryce and Gary Wolkowitz, Henry Buhl, Edwina Sandys, Carlos Morrison, Lana Smith and Dionisio Fontana, Richard and Donna Soloway, among others.
Photographs by BFA/Darian DiCianno/Yvonne Tnt (CPC); Jill Nelson/AnnieWatt.com (ACE)
