|
 |
|
|
| The Children’s Defense Fund-New York (CDF-NY) hosted its annual benefit on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Pierre Hotel, celebrating 40 years of ensuring a level playing field for children and celebrating students who have overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence, given back to their communities and are attending college. CDF-NY saluted three outstanding champions of children: Leslie Cornfeld, former advisor for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and federal civil rights prosecutor, George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU, and Vicki Fuller, Chief Investment Officer of NYS Common Retirement Fund. Deborah Cogut, Co-founder and Chair, The Polyphony Foundation and CDF Board Member, and David Pollak, Director of Marketing and Investor Relations, Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P., served as the gala’s Co-Chairs. This year’s event brought together over 350 guests to recognize eight deserving high school seniors who “beat the odds.” Notable attendees included Marian Wright Edelman, Richard Parsons,Geoffrey Canada, NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray, Malaak Compton-Rock, chef John DeLucie, Paulina Porizkova, chef Alexander Smalls, and Ali Wentworth. WCBS-TV news anchor Maurice DuBois served as the Master of Ceremonies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This year’s Beat the Odds® recipients are Luigji Camaj, Felicia Campbell, Joselyn Guzman, Moke Hein, Michael Mazzeo, Craig Phillip, Benny Rodriguez, and Demeara Torres. Five of the recipients received a $10,000 college scholarship and three “rising stars” received a $1,000 scholarship, in addition to training in leadership development and academic support. “We are thrilled to be honoring eight extraordinary students who have succeeded academically against all odds and given back to their communities. And we also honor Leslie, George and Vicki, three outstanding child advocates dedicated to leveling the playing field for all children. If we could bottle the strength, persistence and resilience of our Beat the Odds honorees, we could inspire and empower all of our children to reach their God-given potential. Nobody has the right to give up on any child or youth, and they are why we exist. They are the true role models for our children and all of us,” said Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children’s Defense Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Honoree Leslie Cornfeld, and CDF Board Member, said, “I am privileged to be honored along side such extraordinary students who have ‘Beaten the Odds’ – they are the true superstars tonight, and for our future. Their stories are critical because it shines a light on the potential of all children, and shows what those living in the most challenged circumstances are capable of achieving for our city and nation. I thank CDF for their transformative work on behalf of all children for the past 40 years.” CDF-NY also paid tribute to the late Bill Lynch Jr. for his support of CDF, serving as a board member for 18 years, and to his tireless commitment to social justice. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Started in 1990, the Beat the Odds program identifies and rewards young people who have experienced significant hardship in their lives and supports and trains them to become future leaders in adulthood. CDF holds six high-profile celebrations annually in Columbus, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Washington, D.C. to send a clear signal that someone does care and understands what it takes to stay in school and do well while coping with adversity. More than 800 young people who have persevered despite family breakdown, homelessness, parental incarceration, drug and alcohol addiction, neglect and abuse, have been able to go on to college and become outstanding citizens. They are doctors and lawyers and teachers and Peace Corps volunteers and responsible parents. They are living proof that no one should ever give up on a child. The Children's Defense Fund-New York (CDF-NY) is the New York office of the Children's Defense Fund, a national, non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for nearly 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. CDF-NY champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care and quality education. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| April Russell is passionate about supporting animal charities, whether giving annually to The Battersea Dog's Home in London or in New York supporting Bidawee; both charities are close to her heart. When she is not jetting between the two cities running her bespoke interior design business April Russell, The Art of Interiors, she's at home with her two dogs Tallulah and Dalores. And so, April had a full turn out when she hosted an evening reception in aid of the animal charity Bidawee at the newly decorated apartment of Norman and Robin Nelson which April had recently completed for her sister and brother in law. The reception was organized by Kate Edmonds Events. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nancy Taylor, President of Bideawee, spoke about the history of Bidawee, a haven for animals in need and a resource for people who love pets for over a hundred years. As a nonprofit, charitable organization Bideawee depends solely on the generosity of donors to operate all of its life changing programs and services. Through support of donors, Bideawee is able to fulfill it's mission to cultivate and support the life-long relationship between pets and the people who love them. Also supporting the evening were Alanna Rathbone, Ashe Reardon, Antoine Souma, Alexes Reardon , Beth Laffey, Emery Westfall and Carole Bellidora Westfall, Christine Biddle, Didi Woodhull, Eve Guernsey, Fritzi Kallopp, Karin Gunnarsson, Kate Edmonds Donner, Nan Collins, Louis Pemberton, Nancy Taylor, James Harris, Norman Nelson and Robin Reardon Nelson, Will Reardon, Larry Kaiser, Leslie Granger, Mathew Yee, Meriel Lari, Pam Laudenslager, Pam Michaelcheck, Peter Rathbone, Susan Nagel, Peter van Doren, Peter Rathbone, Randall Gianopulos, Susan Pemberton and Tim Woodhall. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
|
|
| UJA-Federation of New York's Real Estate & Allied Trades Division honored Lee Deutsch, principal of National Granite Title Insurance Agency, Inc., with the Larry A. Silverstein REX Award at its annual Real Estate Executives (REX) Gala on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Grand Hyatt New York. Lloyd Goldman, president and founder of BLDG Management Co., Inc., presented Deutsch with the award, which was created to honor Silverstein's legendary professional and philanthropic achievements, and to recognize an exceptional young real estate professional who emulates Silverstein's commitment to the real estate community and to improving the lives of others. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nearly 450 guests attended the event to support Deutsch, including REX Gala Chairs Micah Goodman of Ladder Capital Finance LLC and Jeffrey Moroch of The Singer & Bassuk Organization LLC; REX Division Chairs William Friedland of Friedland Properties and Michael Schonbraun of Square Mile Capital Management LLC; and Real Estate & Allied Trades Division Chair Richard J. Mack of Mack Real Estate Group. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| REX attracts young leaders from real estate, construction, and allied trades industries, including developers, owners, financiers, attorneys, and investment strategists, who come together to help people in need, build strong relationships with colleagues in the field, and explore issues that delve beyond the New York real estate community. During the current UJA-Federation fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, the REX Division has raised more than $600,000 to date for UJA-Federation's annual campaign to sustain its network of nearly 100 nonprofit agencies that touch the lives of 4.5 million people annually. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Earlier this month, The Jewish Museum held its much-anticipated annual gala, Purim Ball 2014, at the Park Avenue Armory. The evening of celebration and dancing honored Anshu Jain, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank. Jessica Williams, actress, writer and correspondent on the award-winning The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, headlined the gala's program as Purimspieler. The event set an exciting new record, raising over $2.5 million and attracting over 1,300 guests including those who attended the After-Party. |
|
|
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | ||
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | ||
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 | |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Photographs by Julie Skarratt (CDF); Annie Watt (Bidawee); Alan Klein & Liz Ligon (Purim Ball). |