God’s Love was honored to welcome more than 700 guests to the 12th Annual Golden Heart Awards on October 16th at Spring Studios in Manhattan. The Golden Heart Awards are presented annually by God’s Love to honor the important contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations to the organization’s cause. Funds raised at the event help ensure that no person in the metropolitan area suffers the dual crises of hunger and life-altering illness.
At this year’s dinner, God’s Love celebrated the remarkable contributions of three generous people: world-renowned auctioneer and philanthropist, Jamie Niven; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner; and Academy Award®-nominated, Golden Globe- and Tony Award-winning performer Hugh Jackman.
This year, the evening raised $2.5 million in support of our urgent mission of providing life-sustaining meals and nutrition counseling for people living with severe illness.
The sold-out gala began with a cocktail hour sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka with specialty drinks designed by Dante NYC, as well as tastings from iconic New York restaurants including Katz’s Delicatessen, Murray’s Cheese, Gramercy Tavern, Empellon, Russ & Daughters, and Antica Pesa. Casamigos also presented an exclusive Tequila Bar. Cocktails were followed by dinner and a live auction. Lydia Fenet, author of the upcoming book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, conducted the auction.
Comedian and writer Amber Ruffin started off the night welcoming guests to the Golden Heart Awards. Philanthropist and God’s Love lifetime volunteer Blaine Trump presented Mr. Niven with the Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. Mr. Kushner then received the Golden Heart Award for Lifetime Achievement from actor Nathan Lane.
After dinner, which included a fall salad and beef short ribs by Mike Anthony and carrot cake by Amanda Freitag, God’s Love President & CEO made remarks and Christie’s Lydia Fenet led a rousing auction. Michael Kors then took to the stage to present Mr. Jackman with the Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service.
Honorary Chairwoman Anna Wintour and Co-Chairs Kate Hudson, John Idol, Michael Kors, Aerin Lauder, Jordan Roth, and Blaine Trump helped make the evening a great success with their support and generous, golden hearts!
Dinner prepared by Canard, Inc.
Coffee from Laughing Man Coffee
Flowers by Alexandra Abuza Floral & Garden
Music by Bob Dawson
On Tuesday, October 23, The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY), hosted its 70th Annual Fall Dance in partnership with Dolce&Gabbana. The evening brought together nearly 400 philanthropic New Yorkers, leaders within the fashion industry, and special guests in support of the organization’s programming and fundraising efforts.
In addition to the main event, the Boys’ Club held its first Junior Party, which was attended by 250 young professionals in a room adjacent to the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom. The junior party eventually joined the guests for dancing from music by DJ Sam French in the Ballroom.
The event raised over $1.2 million dollars supporting BCNY’s comprehensive programming benefitting over 1,500 boys and young men ages 7-21 in New York City. Mother of Gerry Clubhouse attendee, Saccora, spoke about the profound impact BCNY has had on her son Elijah. For an annual membership fee of just $5, BCNY provides academic support, mental health services, music and arts programs, college and career readiness, swimming lessons, and more.
Cornelia Brandolini D’Adda, Kathryn Miller, Tabitha Simmons, Mary Kathryn Navab, Tatiana Perkin, Betsy Pitts, and Lauren Santo Domingo served as the evening’s Co-Chairs.
Notable attendees included: Sara and Charlie Ayres, Dennis Basso, Tory Burch, Lisa and Dick Cashin, Merrill and Ashton Curtis, Victoria and Francisco D’Agostino, Brooke and Kevin Lynyak, Ellen and Tris Deery, Eleanor and Morgan Dejoux, Marina and Thomas Purcell, Danielle and David Ganek, Claudia and Gunnar Overstrom, Alexia and Baird Ryan, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Muffy and Donald Miller, Shabnam and Thomas Henry, Dara and Timothy O’Hara, Linda and Chat Hickox, Ritchey and David Howe, Karen and John Klopp, Clara McGregor, Calvert and George Moore, Ros and Fran L’Esperance, Anjali and Prakash Melwani, Gigi and Avie Mortimer, KK and Jonathan Schulhof, Dayssi and Paul Kanavos, Hilary and Lyon Polk, Emily Robinson, Alice and James Ross, Diggy Simmons, Dylan Sprouse, Ferebee and Brook Taube, Kathy and Andrew Thomas, Kathryn and Bill Tyree, Cynthia and Jan van Eck.
The event featured décor by Raúl Àvila Inc, Photography by Patrick McMullan, Photo Booth by Smilebooth, Digital Portraits by Drawn Together, and music by DJ Sam French.
The Boys’ Club of New York, the oldest youth development program in the country, was founded in 1876. With an open door policy and annual membership fee of only $5, the Boys’ Club ensures that any boy between the ages of 7 – 21 may join regardless of his family’s income, immigration status, school, or zip code. The Boys’ Club’s vision is to ensure that all boys are competent academically and emotionally, connected to their communities, rich in character, and confident in their futures. The Boys’ Club accomplishes this through music and arts programs, social and recreational activities, academic support, college and career prep, swimming and fitness, and so much more.
Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian hosted the 36th annual Women’s Health Symposium luncheon, benefitting the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center on Monday, October 22. The symposium, chaired by Joan Weill and Dr. Orli Etingin, director of the center, was titled “Not So Sweet: The Hidden Cancer Risk of Sugar and Inflammation.” The event drew more than 300 attendees and was held at the Citigroup Executive Conference Center.
Renowned cancer experts Dr. Lewis Cantley, Meyer Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian; and Dr. Andrew Dannenberg, Associate Director of Cancer Prevention at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, presented new insights into their groundbreaking studies exploring the connection between cancer and the consumption of sugar, cancer metabolism and inflamed fat. They also discussed these discoveries and potential new strategies to reduce the risk of cancer and improve outcomes.
As cancer research expands, investigators are discovering critical links between the disease and other health concerns, such as type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat as well as high glucose and insulin levels have been associated with both an increased risk of several types of cancer and diabetes.
Dr. Etingin joined Drs. Cantley and Dannenberg for a Q-and-A with the audience following the presentation.
Photographs by Getty Images & Patrick McMullan, & Rommel Demano (God’s Love); Studio Brooke (Women’s Health Symposium)
