New York Public Library was home to the 20th Annual October Ball, where a few hundred party-goers and philanthropist gathered to celebrate a worthy cause. This year’s October Ball benefited Catholic Big Sisters & Big Brothers (CBSBB). CBSBB strives to empower the children of New York to recognize, reach for and achieve their full potential. With charitable events like The October Ball, it helps CBSBB accomplish so much.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, the 10th Anniversary Art of Cooking Gala at Hudson Mercantile celebrated the first decade of The Sylvia Center’s work teach healthy cooking skills to residents of underserved New York City communities by raising 5,000 for the nonprofit – new record for The Sylvia Center’s (TSC) annual fall gala. To date, TSC has worked with about 20,000 students, was established by Liz Neumark, founder, and CEO of Great Performances, the sustainability-oriented New York City catering company, which has been serving distinguished corporations, non-profit organizations, cultural institutions and private clients for since 1980.
The evening honored Joe Ravitch, co-founder, and partner of The Raine Group, who has supported The Sylvia Center since its 2007 inception and recognized The Sylvia Center’s community program partner, ExpandED Schools. The evening saluted TSC’s growth from serving just 200 students in 2007 to working with some 2,254 in 2017. Proceeds from the Gala will prepare TSC to serve more students over the next decade with the expansion of its Teen Apprentice Program, which will equip more youth with the skills to lead healthier and productive lives.
Angelo David Salon, New York City’s leading luxury hair salon for Couture Hair Extensions, Wigs & Additions, partnered with New York radio station 95.5 PLJ for the 3rd Annual Blow Out Breast Cancer Event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds from the event went to our friends at Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), an international research organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The popular event continues to grow, and is now adding participating salons; this year, Gumdrop Hairdressing, located at 46 Church Street, Montclair, NJ joined the cause. Attendees at the Gumdrop Hairdressing event included Nicole Coultas, VJ Moscaritola, and Jeanna Sheridan.
Today, American children are in the midst of an unsettling crisis because they are not being provided with the skills to eat and cook healthy. More than fifteen million children face hunger and, according to the Center for Disease Control, “one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese.” In low-income communities, children “are becoming obese at rates higher than the national average” and “40% of children in African American and Hispanic communities are overweight or obese.” Additionally, those who are faced with these conditions are “at risk for asthma, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions.” Fortunately, the non-profit organization Common Threads has made it their mission to teach children, families, and educators how to cook for life.
Global Lyme Alliance (GLA) is the leading private nonprofit dedicated to conquering Lyme disease through research and education. Currently, there are no accurate diagnostic tests for Lyme disease. The disease can continue to spread throughout the body, often leading to debilitating health consequences. Even following proper diagnosis and treatment, many individuals continue to experience symptoms of Lyme, including severe arthritis, persistent fatigue, impaired vision, memory loss and other cognitive problems. There is no test to definitively prove that Lyme bacteria have been eradicated or that an individual has been cured following treatment. Thankfully, organizations like GLA are helping to fight the disease.
Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a nonprofit organization which remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and fund groundbreaking prostate cancer research programs to save the lives of millions, hosted its annual gala at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, NY. PCF has recently partnered with the Veterans Administration to fast track better treatment and research opportunities for underserved veterans. The event raised over $4.0 million in support of the foundation’s work and included several Young Investigator Awards that will focus on VA Initiative programs that will benefit all cancer patients.
Samuel Waxman and Helen Samuels and Chris Wragge photo by D.Gonzalez for Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com
Who: A Hamptons Happening and Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF)
What: A Hamptons Happening was hosted by CBS 2 News anchor Chris Wragge and honored the achievements and charitable contributions of high-profile professionals from a wide range of industries: Glenn Myles, Chairman and CEO of First Wall Street Capital; Bobbie Lloyd, Chief Baking Officer of Magnolia Bakery; Shep Gordon, Talent Manager, Hollywood Film Agent, Producer and Author; Gabriel Kreuther, Owner and Executive Chef of Gabriel Kreuther Restaurant, a Michelin Star recipient, and Relais & Chateaux restaurant; and Margaret Hayes, President and CEO of Fashion Group International.
The honorees delivered heartfelt acceptance remarks during the awards ceremony as they received awards of recognition from Dr. Waxman and SWCRF Executive Director William T. Sullivan. In other highlights, Mr. Sullivan acknowledged the event chairs, sponsors, event partners, volunteers and staff members who contributed to the fundraiser’s success. He also presented a bouquet of flowers to Founding Chair Marion Waxman in recognition of her years of service to the SWCRF by spearheading the popular fundraiser.
When: Saturday, August 5
Where: Private Estate, Bridgehampton, NY
Bobbie Lloyd and Samuel Waxman and Marion Waxman Chef Gabriel Kreuther and Margaret Hayes photo by D.Gonzalez for Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com
Who: Benefit Chairs Bill Ford and Marigay McKee, Terrence McNally and Tom Kirdahy, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Chief Administrative Officer Robert Chaloner, and Southampton Hospital Foundation President Steve Bernstein.
What: Over 700 supporters stopped by the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s 59th Annual Summer The night raised more than $1.5 million to provide support for the Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department, the sole provider of emergency care on the South Fork, treating more than 25,000 people annually.
The festive evening was emceed by Fox 5 Good Day New York host Greg Kelly and brought out supporters including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and wife Hilary Geary Ross, Southampton Village Mayor Michael Irving and wife Ellen Irving, Somers and Jonathan Farkas, Margo and John Catsimatidis, Julie Ratner, Douglas Elliman Real Estate Chairman Howard M. Lorber, who is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Foundation, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Association Chairman Kenneth Wright, and Stony Brook University President Dr. Samuel Stanley.
The evening’s Honorary Chair was Georgina Bloomberg, and former event Chairs in attendance included Jean Fitzsimmons, Jean Shafiroff and husband Martin Shafiroff, and Audrey Gruss and husband Martin Gruss.
When: Saturday, August 5
Where: Southampton, NY
Who: Paola Bacchini; John Barman; Elizabeth Belfer; Southampton Hospital’s Steve Bernstein; Janna Bullock; Cornelia Ercklentz; Somers Farkas; Lex Federbush; Jamee and Peter Gregory; Samantha Gregory and Roberto Benabib with their daughter, Carolina Gregory-Benabib; Martin Gruss; Susan Gutfreund; Mai Hallingby Harris; Lucia Hwong Gordon;Dr. Jonathan Javitch; Susan and Joseph Meyer; Campion Platt and his three children; Arnie Rosenshein; Nicholas Varney; Susan Warner; and Clelia and Tom Zacharias.
What: The rain didn’t slow philanthropist from running for a cause. Guests donned plastic ponchos and set out at 9AM to complete a beautiful 5K course around Lake Agawam. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned event raised over $140,000 for advanced depression research. Speaking from the steps of the Cultural Center just before the starting gun, HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss said “Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. All of you here today are helping to address a major global health issue.” Southampton Village Mayor Mark Irving also helped kick-off the event with Gruss. “The Walk of Hope has gathered the community to raise awareness that depression is a real medical condition,” he said. Gruss added that 50% of patients do not respond to existing medications, making brain research critical to finding new and better treatments for depression.
The Walk of Hope + 5K Run starts the lead-in to the 11th Annual Luncheon Seminar held in November 2017, which will honor Ashley Judd for speaking out about depression and salute the achievements of HDRF and its acclaimed Depression Task Force of world-renowned neuroscientists.
When: Saturday, August 5
Where: Southampton, NY
Melanie Hamrick and Jose Sebastian
Who: The DL
Over the weekend, we headed out to the amazing beautiful Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, New York for the James Beard Foundation‘s 27th annual Chefs & Champagne summer fundraiser. One of our favorite events of the year. This year, the foundation honored multiple James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef, author and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. More than 1,000 filled the outdoor tent for a night of philanthropy, music, laughs, delicious cuisines from over 35 prestigious chefs, plus endless bubbly and wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Champagne Barons de Rothschild.
