It was an afternoon that won’t soon be forgotten as the Ella Nixon Toy & Gift Drive (now in its fifth season) gave their first Ladies Who Lunch for Charity luncheon. The Ella Nixon Drive not only works to secure a happy holiday for those in-need but also serves to encourage others to orchestrate their own fundraising events. Saturday, Nov. 3, ladies and gentlemen dressed to impress all met at the Row House in Harlem to mingle and dine with a purpose. The date was co-hosted by Dr. Jeff Gardere, TV psychologist to the stars, and New York City Council Member Bill Perkins. Each year The Ella Nixon Toy & Gift Drive personally hand delivers to children on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and to multiple locations throughout New York include Safe Horizon (Young Men & Women Manhattan), Children’s Village (Dobbs Ferry), Springfield Garden Family Center (Queens) and Bronx Kids. As the holidays approach, there will be laughter and cheer for some, whereas sadness and tears will be the theme for others. The Ella Nixon Drive works to bring awareness to the goodness and beauty of giving. Also, in attendance for the fab fall event was radio personality and buzz maven Flo Anthony, along with producer, arranger Norman Connors.
The Ella Nixon Drive gave birth to “Ladies Who Lunch for Charity” to bring attention to their Toy & Gift Drive while celebrating the wonderful and tireless work that its honorees do. Ladies Who Lunch for Charity founder Roz Nixon and her exceptional team, Lil Phillips, Gwendolyn Black and Jessica “Jazy” Ransom strived to have the day run seamlessly so that all in attendance might graciously honor four women who have unselfishly worked to serve others.
This first of what will be an annual event presented exciting entertainment from the men of “Get Ready a Motown Revue,” featuring Martinez Little, Robert Williams and Howard Monroe. The afternoon was co-sponsored by The Brownstone Harlem, Miss Jessie’s Hair Care and BLK/OPL cosmetics. There was also delicious dining and dancing as attendees saluted the outstanding accomplishments of educator and Local 205 president, Mabel Everett, author of the best-selling book “Jumping the Broom” Harriette Cole, who is also the founder of DREAMLEAPERS, a multi-pronged educational platform designed to help people access and activate their dreams, women veterans advocate Dorcedious Davis and retired NYPD officer turn entrepreneur Elise Rector.