Wait a minute. Hold up. It ain’t over yet. Santa Claus can’t go to sleep yet. He can only take a nap, because he must celebrate the new year with Mrs. Claus and the elves. Don’t forget the reindeer, who worked hard to bring gifts even if you were naughty. Remember, the best gifts of all are love, peace and happiness. So even if you didn’t get that brand-new Mercedes-Benz wrapped in red ribbon, all is not lost.
Also not lost is the great work that supporters of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund did as they raised nearly $2 million at the 40th annual Inner-City Scholarship Fund Awards Dinner. Gracing the ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, located on West 60th Street, were more than 400 guests who wanted to give, give, give. Inner-City provides tuition assistance for underprivileged students attending Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York. But of course, His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, was in attendance to present the 2016 Inner-City Scholarship Fund Award to Judy and Russ Carson, Christie and Tony de Nicola and the firm of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe for their commitment to inner-city students and Catholic schools. Stephen A. Schwarzman received the second annual James B. Lee Jr. LifeLink Award, for his work to connect young people to life-changing opportunities. Susan George, executive director of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, said, “I’m thankful that our donors agree and invest in quality education for them. It makes all the difference.”
The Inner-City Scholarship Fund was founded in 1971 by the late Terence Cardinal Cooke and a group of prominent executives of many faiths. Inner-City provides tuition assistance to nearly 7,000 students (93 percent minority and 33 percent non-Catholic). An astonishing 98 percent of seniors attending inner-city Catholic high schools graduate, and 99 percent of those pursue college at some of the finest universities in the nation.
Camilla Barungi, principal, GreyFire Holding, and model of “Project Runway” fame, looked stunning at the seventh Annual Santa Project Party & Auction benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, where she served as co-chair. You will be glad to know that this organization is one of the largest disability nonprofits in the United States, with UCP of NYC providing more than 85 comprehensive programs, including medical, clinical, educational, technological, residential and rehabilitative services to more than 18,000 New York City residents and families annually. Of course, there was a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, live music and an open bar. More than $75,000 was raised, and all for a very good cause as proceeds will help fund special needs equipment requests and purchase holiday gift cards for children with disabilities in UCP of NYC’s programs. Among those in attendance were Patrick Hazlewood, Lisa Henry, Dr. Arthur I. Hazlewood, Jamal Briggs and Isiah Whitlock Jr.
The Brotherhood/Sister Sol’s hosted their 11th annual Women’s Holiday Tea at the Columbia University Faculty House. Founded in 1995, BHSS is a grassroots, nonprofit organization providing comprehensive, holistic and long-term support services to Black and Latino youth, who range in age from 8 to 22. Programming includes after school services, school and home counseling, summer camps, job training, college preparation, employment opportunities, community organizing and training. International study programs have taken groups to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 95 percent of alumni members are working full time or enrolled in college, and have attended such institutions as Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, George Washington University, Howard University, New York University and assorted CUNY and SUNY campuses.
The Women’s Holiday Tea, hosted by Gwynne Wilcox, co-vice chair of the board of directors of BHSS, brings together a dynamic group of more than 150 dedicated and accomplished professional women, well-known and respected in the fields of law, academia, finance, the arts, medicine and philanthropy, to enjoy an array of aromatic teas, flavorful fare and their signature silent auction. Product donors this year included Miele USA, Louis Licari Salon, Baccarat, Misty Copeland, Squire Media, Sterling Ascots, Coach, Oscar de la Renta, Mixed Chicks, City Winery, Joseph Gulbenkian, Harney & Sons, Fashionista Tea, Serendipity Tea, Global Goods, Margaux and Avenue magazine. All proceeds from the BHSS Holiday Tea benefit the holistic youth development programs. Among the co-chairs and honorees were Brenda Cavette, Dawne Marie Grannum, Farah Griffin, Carolyn Mason and Katherine Wilcox.
In between all the partying, getting ready to party or swearing never to party so hardy again, don’t forget your New Year’s Resolution. Make time for reflection and above all be merry. We have so much to be thankful for.
Until next week … kisses.