The Scene: New York Mission Society’s Annual Champions for Children Benefit Pre-Gala Kickoff Cocktail Reception

Mission Society Pre Gala — Deputy Borough President Aldrin Bonilla, Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, Martin Shafiroff (Photo Credit: James Edstrom)

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, I had the opportunity to attended a pre-gala kickoff cocktail, hosted by Martin and Jean Shafiroff for the New York City Mission Society’s Annual Champions for Children benefit in April. More than 100 people attended the event, despite “The Mission Society has been improving the lives of children in New York City for more than 200 years,” said Jean Shafiroff, Board Member and Gala Chair. “What I love most about the Mission Society is that all of us work together with a common mission to combat poverty and create opportunity.”

Hector Baez, Yolanda Santiago, Phaon Spurlock (Photo Credit: Barry Williams/AnnieWatt.com)

“We’re extremely grateful to Martin and Jean Shafiroff for their ongoing generosity and support for the Mission Society,” said Elsie McCabe Thompson, President of the Mission Society. “Both have continuously displayed a commitment to improve the lives of youngsters, young adults, and families in this city. This year’s Gala also will honor multiple Grammy Award winner Arturo O’Farrill, whose Afro Latin Jazz Alliance has partnered with us foster the love of to music in the young adults served by the Mission Society.”

Led by Jean Shafiroff, this year’s Gala Committee includes Colbert Narcisse (Honorary Chair), Peggy and John Bader, Missy Kilroy and John U. Moorhead, Leah and Stanley Rumbough, and Yemi and Patrick Vatel. Ms. Shafiroff thanked Chase Bank for underwriting the pre-gala reception.

Dawne Marie Grannum, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Deborah Chapman, Flo Anthony, Shannon Hales (Photo Credit: Barry Williams/AnnieWatt.com)

Attendees at the February 23rd reception included (in alphabetical order): Flo Anthony; Hector E. Baez; Edgar Batista; Kim Bingham; Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer; Taylor Burns; Chele Chiavacci; Rita Cosby; Natasha Das; Victor De Souza; Lisa Downing; Laura Flavin; Lee Fryd; Dawn Marie Grannum; Cornelia Guest; Shannon Hales; Lucia Hwong Gordon; Chiu-Ti Jansen; Francis Kairson; Brooke Laing; Elsie McCabe Thompson; Jay Moorhead; Nicole Noonan; Don and Katrina Peebles; Lauren Roberts; Stanley Rumbough; Randi Schatz; Consuelo Costin Vanderbilt; Patrick Vatel; and George Wayne.

The annual Champions for Children benefit will be held on April 13, 2016 at the Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle in Manhattan. Cocktails start at 6:00 PM, followed by an awards ceremony and dinner at 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.nycmissionsociety.org/2016-champions-for-children-gala/