Author and Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff hosted a reception this week to announce the honorees at the New York City Mission Society’s annual Champions for Children Gala on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental NY. This year’s honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society’s Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr. (Ret). Attendees included Elsie McCabe Thompson, Kenita Lloyd, Katrina and Don Peebles, Jay Morehead, Peggy and John Bader, Stan and Leah Rumbough, Geoffrey Bradfield, Edward Cox, Michael and Barbara Gross, Randi Schatz, Larry Milstein, B. Michael and Mark Anthony, Alex Donner, Helen Shelton, Craig Dix, Larry Kaiser, Flo Anthony, Angela Chen, Suzette Charles, Maggie Norris, Frederick Anderson, Joyce Brooks, Amanda Bowman , Natalie Ross, William Allen, Victor dE Souza, Maggie Norris, and Matt Rich.
WABC News Anchor Bill Ritter, a longtime supporter of the Mission Society, will emcee the Gala. Performing that evening will be Kathy Sledge, the legendary voice of Sister Sledge, acclaimed singer Alex Donner and his Orchestra, and students enrolled in the Mission Society’s free afterschool music education program, GRIOT. Co-chaired by Mission Society’s board members Jean Shafiroff and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the Mission Society’s programs and services that help youth and families in our city’s most underserved communities break the cycle of poverty and achieve success.
The Gala will be held at the Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, starting with cocktails at 6:30 PM followed by a 7:30 PM dinner and program, music and dance. To purchase tickets to the event, visit: https://www.nycharities.org/