The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC) held its annual Fall Gala last Wednesday night at the iconic Rainbow Room. Valesca Guerrand-Hermès presented Maarit Glocer, a long-time member of The NYSPCC’s Board of Directors, with the Strength of Our Society Award.
Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville, a member of The NYSPCC’s Children’s Council, served as the evening’s host. The Gala raised over $1 million, a record for the event, to fund critical programs for the children served by The NYSPCC.
The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC) is one of the most highly respected child protective agencies in the world. Founded in 1875, The NYSPCC helps the most vulnerable children of our community recover from trauma. And, more importantly, it helps prevent child abuse through its work with parents, teachers, children and foster care agencies.
The NYSPCC’s amazing work is used as a model for child welfare agencies across the nation. The NYSPCC has investigated more than 650,000 cases on behalf of over two million children and has educated over 53,000 professionals working with children on child abuse and neglect issues.
Read more about The NYSPCC here.
Last Thursday, 300 leaders in the fields of business, fashion, entertainment, arts, government, and philanthropy gathered at The Plaza to support Citymeals on Wheels for the nonprofit’s 35th Annual Power Lunch. Emceed by Stephanie Ruhle, MSNBC Host and NBC News Senior Business Analyst, the event raised nearly $3.7 million, including a surprise donation of $2.5 million from a generous supporter. 100% of the funds raised will go to the preparation and delivery of over 450,000 meals for homebound elderly New Yorkers.
This year’s Power Lunch honored longtime Citymeals volunteers and supporters, Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, and steadfast corporate partner Bloomberg.
“We are proud to honor our longtime corporate partner Bloomberg and volunteers Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, who have helped nourish their homebound elderly neighbors for years,” said Citymeals Executive Director Beth Shapiro. “We thank Citymeals’ many generous friends who joined us today to support the lifeline of nourishing meals and companionship we provide for older New Yorkers in need.”
With the passing of Citymeals’ founder Gael Greene in November, this year’s Power Lunch offered a touching tribute to her as a renowned restaurant critic, who also cared deeply about ensuring older New Yorkers facing hunger are not forgotten. Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has delivered over 67 million meals and become the largest nonprofit meals on wheels program in the country. Gael Greene remained closely involved in the organization’s mission and events until her death.
Notable attendees at this year’s event included: Bara Tisch, Barbara Pierce Bush, Barbara Tober, Carly Zakin, Dan Colen, Daniel & Katherine Boulud, Dasha Zhukova, Deborah Roberts, Derek Blasberg, Donna Hanover, Elizabeth Schaffer, Florence Fabricant, Georgette Farkas, Hamilton South, Hoda Kotb, Huma Abedin, Irene Gandy, Jack McCollough, Jamee Gregory, Jamie Tisch, Jenna Bush Hager, Judith Zabar, Kate MacKenzie, Kate Young, Kathleen Turner, Lauren Santo Domingo, Lazaro Hernandez, Leigh Lezark, Lenore Skenazy, Liz Neumark, Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch, Commissioner of the Department for the Aging Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez, Margo M. & Jimmy Nederlander, Marika & Neil Bender, Pat Wexler, Rachel Atcheson, Samantha Boardman & Aby Rosen, Savannah Guthrie, Serena Boardman, Selby Drummond, Sienna Miller, Stephanie Ruhle, Suri Kasirer, Zanna Roberts Rassi, and Wes Gordon.
Citymeals’ Power Lunch is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The event comes at a critical time in the fight to end elder hunger. One in 10 older New Yorkers is facing food insecurity. Among Citymeals recipients, 14% live on just the one meal a day the organization delivers. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers across the city, Citymeals is serving nearly 20,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers with a lifeline of meals and vital companionship.
Event sponsors included Citymeals’ official airline American Airlines and official water FIJI Water.
Visit citymeals.org to learn more.
On Friday, November 11th, The New England Society held its 217th annual Assembly and Dinner Dance. The event was a spectacular success and funds raised help support the Society’s Scholarship Program for New York City students attending New England colleges.
The event included an exclusive Benefactors and Patrons cocktail party, traditional fife and drum procession, seated white tie–optional dinner, and after-dinner dancing to Alex Donner’s band.
NES President Ellen Scordato presented Ryan J. Woods, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, with the Society’s Townsend Award. NES Board Member Anne Teasdale was recognized for her years of service to the Society with the JP Morgan Award. The event committee consisted of Michael Kovner & Jean Doyen de Montaillou, Katherine Johnson, and Matthew Rimi von Barton, event chairs, along with Nicholas D’Angelo and Jan Whitman Ogden.
Photographs by Eric Vitale & Konrad Brattke (Citymeals); John Sanderson/AnnieWatt.com (NES)
