On Wednesday March 12th, the New York City Mission Society held the Champions for Children Gala at The Plaza where Valentino D. Carlotti (Partner – Goldman, Sachs & Co.), Jean Shafiroff (Advocate and Philanthropist) and the Founders of the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, New York State’s first charter school, Steven and Maureen Klinsky and William Allen were honored by Gala chairs Lloyd W. Brown II, John U. Moorhead and Stanley H. Rumbough.
The evening started off with a cocktail hour that featured an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. The room filled quickly as guests mingled with colleagues, friends and new friends. The Youth Ambassadors were also in attendance, wearing their NYC Mission Society sash.
Guests were ushered into the Grand Ballroom to the sounds of the Minisink Drum Corp where host Bill Ritter from WABC introduced the society’s Interim Executive Director, Maria Orengo who kicked off proceedings, before each of the honorees were thanked individually by a Youth Ambassador, whose life has been directly influenced by the New York City Mission Society.
Khadim Diop introduced and presented the Community Service Award to the founders of the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, New York State’s first charter school, Steven Klinsky and Minnie Goka. Andy Caceres introduced and presented the Champions for Children Award to Valentino D. Carlotti (Partner, Goldman, Sachs & Co.) The evening then concluded with New York City Mission Society Youth Ambassador, Deja Stewart, presenting the CFC Dina Merrill Hartley Award to Jean Shafiroff (Advocate and Philanthropist.)
All guests enjoyed an amazing three-course dinner, followed by dancing in the Grand Ballroom, which was beautifully decorated with stunning floral arrangements in the society’s key colors of green and white, which had been generously donated by Benefit Member, Alix Astir of Trellis Fine Florals. Barclays was a corporate chair and Mercedes-Benz Fragrance provided a bottle of Eau de Toilette for each guest. A silent auction was also held where guests’ submitted bids to win numerous luxury items and experiences, including a four-night stay at the Round Hill Resort of Jamaica as donated by the resort.
Guests in attendance included: Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Valentino Carlotti, Steven and Maureen Klinsky, Mayor David N. Dinkins, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi, Mark Anthony Edwards, Dawne Marie Grannum, Stanley H. and Leah Rumbough, Lloyd W. Brown II, John U. Moorhead and Missy Kilroy, Andy Sforzini, Joseph Fichera, Cole Rumbough, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Brooke Laing, Sharon Bush, Joy Marks, Erik Bottcher, Alix Astir, Geoffrey Bradfield, Lola Ogunnaike, Roy Kean, B. Michael, Ike Ude, Chele Chiavacci, Richard Farley, Phaon K. Spurlock, Paola and Arnie Rosenshein, Morgan O’Connor, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Herb Karlitz, George Ledes, Ann Rapp, Robert Chaloner, Dana Auslander, R. Couri Hay, Christine Schott, Ann Rapp, Roy Kean, Dana Auslander, Dr. Penny Grant, Joyce Isabelle and Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo.
Afterwards, jazz singer Cole Rumbough, Brooke Laing, Liz and Jackie Shafiroff, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Morgan O’Connor, Alfy Fernandez and other members of the Junior Society including Angelena Brack, Antonella Lemos, Melissa Berkehammer, Lizzi Bickford, Brie Bythewood, Natasha Das, Jihad Harkeem, and Tyler Stafford danced into the evening at the exclusive Doubles Club.
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