More than $1.3 million was raised at the 31st annual enCourage Kids Foundation Gala held recently in Midtown Manhattan. More than 800 guest attended the event held at the Marriott Marquis.
NBA All-Star and New York Knicks legend John Starks was awarded the Community Partner Award on behalf of the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works with the Madison Square Garden Company to donate tickets and suites to families enrolled in the enCourage Kids Foundation Escapes program.
“We’ve had a relationship with the Garden of Dreams Foundation for over 10 years now,” said enCourage Kids Foundation executive director, Michele Hall-Duncan. “They will come to us and ask us if they want kids to come to Knicks games or Ranger games. The partnership is incredible, and I thought it was time to honor partnerships we have with other non-profit organizations.”
The evening was hosted by Steve Schirripa, best known for his work on “The Sopranos” and his current role in the CBS hit drama, “Blue Bloods.” Joining the event were NY Knicks legend, Larry Johnson; journalist and television personality, Tom Murro; Jillian Tapper, Miss New York 2014; and the “culinary bad boy” from the Food Network’s “The Food Network Star,” Chef Chris Nirschel.
The enCourage Kids Foundation also honored real estate executives Michael May, chief operating officer of CCRE, and Sush Torgalkar, chief executive officer of Westbrook Partners for their dedication to philanthropic efforts that improve the lives of children and their families.
Money raised will support the organization’s mission of providing funding to area hospitals and their pediatric programs. With approximately 100 hospital partners throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, enCourage programs are giving to kids facing a variety of health issues. To date, $14.8 million has been awarded in support of more than 700 programs throughout the region.
