The Order of St. John of Jerusalem—one of the world’s oldest orders of chivalry—The Commandery of New York held its Annual Charity Holiday Gala at the Metropolitan Club, Friday November 30th. The Gala raised funds in honor of CUMAC, Northern New Jersey’s largest anti-hunger agencies whose stated mission is “Feeding People and “Changing Lives.”
OSJ Prior of the Americas, Dame Ann Van Ness remarked, “For years, CUMAC has attacked hunger. It benefits the Order’s mission to support CUMAC in any way that we can. I am proud that OSJ Knights and Dames have stepped up support of this extraordinarily worthy cause.”
This marks the second Gala in which OSJ honors CUMAC. In the past, the Order has raised funds to purchase a refrigeration truck and permanent indoor refrigeration for the agency in order to allow CUMAC to connect supermarkets, restaurants hotels and other sources to food pantries with fresh, nourishing meals. The Order maintains a close connection with its honorees and have organized events supporting many entities such as Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, America’s Vet Dogs, US Vets and Table to Table.
The evening was co-chaired by Dame Judith Gates, Dame Claire Burke, Chevalier James Doran, Dame Diana Frankel, Chevalier Fredrick Hoff. Gala Committee included Dames Barbara Gross, Evelyn Berry, Leah Conetta, Candace Gonzalez, Patricia Eltinge, Mary Elaine Morris, Melinda Bush, Deeanne Turek, Chevalier Douglas Ayres, William Van Ness, Patrick Hill, and H.E. Grand Hospitaller Dr. Vincent Bonagura.
Reverend Dean Wolfe
Sponsors and cooperate sponsors, Ayres Hotels, Melinda Bush, Evelyn Berry, Veronica Lane Books, James J. Doran, Dream Hotel, Greta Fisdell, Barbara Hemmerle Gollust, Bunny Grossinger, Barbara and David Gross, Linda and Peter Hoffman, Frederick Hoff, Diana and Frank Hughes, Investors Bank, Paul Labrecque, Judy McLaren, Ani Ramen, Paul Sui DDS, Barbara and Donald Tober, TD Bank, Top of the Rock, Van Ness Pet Products, Paul Vigue, Barbara Wolf, and Pamela Wright.
Among the evening’s festivities was a musical performance by Soprano Chelsea Bonagura and American operatic baritone Jorell Williams.
Austin Wright, Alexandra Grounds, Ryan Brumberg, Mackenzie Wright, Gregory Holmes, Pamela Wright Henry Sackler, Samantha Gannaway, and Brian WaltonGigi Fisdell and Vicki McLaughlinL to R.: Patrick Hill and Jaqueline Hill; Jerry and Susan BakerPatricia Cossutta and Egle RinconDame Barbara Kemper-GrossChelsea Bonagura, Jorell Williams, and Lizzie BonaguraDame Diana Frankel and Frank HughesMary Elaine Morris and David MorrisNiva and Bob DonahueL to R.: Christina Vigue and Alexander Leisenrin ; Pamala Wright and Mackenzie WrightMichele Herbert, Lauren Day Roberts, Dame Ann Van Ness, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sharon Bush, and Susan BakerDianna Clemmensem, Deborah McGrath, Chevalier James Doran, and Dorothy Doran with SallySharon Bush and Bob MurrayChevalier Frederick Hoff, Dame Melinda Bush, and George SandbourneSharon Bush and Joan JedellDiane Jorgensen, Gretchen Evans, and Katherine PritzKen Fishel, Bradley Fishel, and Maria FishelL to R.: Heidi and Allen Roberts; Dara T. Miller and Dame Ann Van NessMayor Andre Sayegh, Mark Dinglasan, Michelle Dinglasan, Kim Rowland Rupp, and Steve RuppDames Judith Gates, Niva Donohue, Ann Van Ness, Diana Frankel, Barbara Kemper-Gross, Evelyn Berry, Barbara Ostrom, and Joyce FrankAndrea Hoff, Fredrick Hoff Jr., Susan Tuohy, Chevalier Frederick Hoff, Joanne Naylorde, and Wayne NaylorJT Miller and Dara T. MillerGregory Holmes, Pamala Wright, Gilbert Holmes, and Evan EtterL to R.: Caroline Sabloney, Blaine Stevens, and Alexandra Grounds; Katrina Novakova and Kathleen DonnellyH.E. Grand Hospitaller Dr. Vincent Bonagura, Dame Ann Van Ness, and Chevalier William Van NessReverend Alison V. Philips and Sajan PhilipsMatt Rich and Baroness Gabriella von LangendorffElizabeth Stribling, Patricia Shiah, Guy Robinson, and Thomas ShiahOdile Longchampt and Carole Bellidora WestfallChevalier William Van Ness, Bunny Grossinger, and Dame Ann Van NessRoman Skakuan, Dr.Gina Skakuan, and Dame Claire BurkeStuart Becker, Janice Galli-Becker, Sergio Chiarotti, and Christina RoseAdriel Gonzalez and Dame Candace GonzalezMichelle and Douglas AyresHonorable Congressman Charles Rangel and Alma RangelRoy and Barbara OstromLive auction biddingL to R.: Chrissy Sayer and Judy McLaren; Michele Herbert and Chevalier Douglas Ayres
