The Quest for "it"

                                                               Hi,

Envisioning a world where women and children are safe from slavery is the mantra of Somaly Mam*** and SMF (Somaly Mam Foundation).   With an ever increasing presence here in the US,  SMF is raising awareness through a call to action like none other with a fall gala set to take place in New York City in just a few months.

SMF's most recent collaboration has been with Body Shop and ECPAT USA**** via a Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition.  The petition encourages Americans to lend their signatures to help lobby for Safe Harbor  laws, protecting victims of Sex Trafficking from being arrested and being prosecuted for prostitution.  Academy Award winner and activist Susan Sarandon led the way of Celeb supporters with additional signatures coming from: Robert Pattinson, Laura Dern, Mark Ronson, Nate Berkus, Ben Harper, Cat Cora, Mario Lopez, Yoko Ono, Rob Lowe and Sienna Miller. 

Other ongoing collaborations include work with Lexis Nexis.  Robert Rigby-Hall, Sr. VP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Lexis Nexis, oversees the 10 member task force comprised of Lexis-Nexis employees whose wide ranging, legal, managerial and operational expertise is helping these organizations build capabilities to stop human trafficking in Cambodia and other  areas. 

***-Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, dignity, ingenuity, and resilience, Somaly was honored as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2009 and was featured as a CNN Hero. She has many awards over the last decade: The Roland Berger Human Dignity Award, the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation (which was given by Queen Sofia of Spain), and The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC)

****-The first phase of the Body Shop and ECPAT USA campaign has raised $1.5 million in funds.  The sale of the special edition of Soft Hands Kind Heart hand cream sells at a rate of one hand cream globally ever 30 seconds.  Additional funds are being raised through the sale of a Body Shop Bag for Life.

                                                                Hi!

Packed to the gills does not begin to describe the enormous crowd of attendees that turned out for the Cancer Research Institute's Young Philanthropists 3rd Annual Midsummer Social at the  Meat Packing District's Tenjune.  With an undeniable mission to advance the next wave of cancer treatment, the evening was a tremendous success courtesy of Council Chair Alexis Feldman, Council Vice Chair Marissa Schneider and various council members.*** 

Over Given Liquer Cocktails and white wine, the sounds of DJ Turk pulsated.  A grand tier of cupcakes topped with multi-colored pastel frosting was found on one end of the room while the other held a table of sponsored**** prizes that included: A Bumble and Bumble product basket; 1 week at Hacienda Encantada Resort in Cabo San Lucas; a Ralph Lauren cashmere throw blanket;  Arbitrage shirt and tie; a style session with Celebrity Fashion Stylist Lauren Rae Levy, and a Coach Bag.

In all 250 guests raised $18,00 while demonstrating their commitment of understanding of CRI's philanthropic giving and volunteerism.

***- Steven Beltrani, Jessica Bloch, Christina Brown, Kelly Ciralo, Kate Cucco, Amy DePaola, Sean Kiely, Samantha Knapik, Ali Lapinski, Meredith Meyer, Melissa Phillips, Ryan Phillips, David Schwartz, Meredith Stampler, Natasha Uspensky, Jospehine Vella, Evan Wohl, Kendell Wrigley

****-Lauren Rae Levy, Bumble & Bumble, Club Monaco, Coach, David Barton, NBC DVD Sets, Ny Knicks, NJ Nets, Pizza Classica, Puttaneca Restaurant, Ralph Lauren, Vice Versa, Given Liqueur, Brian M. Brewer, Kathy Brown, Champignon

Left to Right: Marissa Schneiderman; Guest; Event prizes; Atmosphere

*photos by The Quest for "it" 

                                                         Hey There!

Tomorrow evening the Cancer Research Institute's Young Philanthropists will host their 3rd Annual Midsummer Social to support the Institute’s mission to advance the next wave of cancer treatment.  Support the cause at Tenjune; the evening includes:  2 hours of premium open bar, spinning from guest DJ Turk, and a contest including awesome prizes like: Bumble and Bumble product basket, Arbitrage shirt and tie, Coach purse, Weeklong timeshare at a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Ralph Lauren cashmere throw blanket, Signed sports jersey, Broadway show tickets, and more. 

General Admission $50 in advance, $75 at the door. VIP package $75 in advance, $100 at the door. Pack includes admission to an exclusive pre-event reception from 7-8 and two complimentary tickets for the prize contests.  Table service $150. Guests are invited to purchase a table in addition to their entry ticket. Tables can accommodate up to six people and include one bottle of vodka and various mixers. Table service can be added on to both General and VIP ticket reservations. 

Tickets are limited! All proceeds will benefit the Cancer Research Institute’s research programs. Register at www.cancerresearch.org -- Online registration closes at noon, August 10. Tickets will be sold at the  door.

See you there....

Hey There!

We are thrilled to announce that CIRCA will be the Presenting Sponsor of the New Yorkers For Children 2010 Fall Gala on September 21st  at Cipriani 42 to benefit youth in foster care in New York City!   CIRCA is the leading buyer of fine jewelry from the public nationally and internationally, and we are so grateful for their generous support.  

The New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) 2010 Fall Gala Co-Chairs are Henry and Vanessa Cornell, Oscar de la Renta, Susan and Tony Gilroy, Tina and Peter Harf, Kevin and Erika Liles, and Shirin von Wulffen and Frédéric Fekkai. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, a live auction by Jamie Niven of Sotheby’s and a special musical performance. We hope you will be a part of this special night and help NYFC expand and continue to fund programs for the 16,000 youth in foster care in New York City. 

 For additional information on the NYFC 2010 Fall Gala, and to learn more about purchasing a table or tickets, please see the attached response form and fact sheet.

                                                                 Hello!

On a recent Tuesday evening, June 8th, the Pierre Hotel received more than 400 guests in celebration of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Calvary Hospital Awards Gala.  The elegant black-tie provided a cocktail reception was fit for a king, allowing  many of the hospitals supporters to leisurely enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.  Jazz tunes filled the air courtesy of Straight Ahead Jazz WOR, and we caught our first glimpse of one of evening's honoree Thomas Indoe, President and COO of Newman's Own. Mr. Indoe was kind enough to share share that "we've over the last 10 years have supported Calvary Hospital, mostly in the children's bereavement area, it is a great organization and we just love being involved with them." In regards to being honored at the event he remarked "it is a great privilege especially if you know Calvary Hospital..such compassionate people working with sick people."

Immediately following cocktails, guests proceeded  dinner hour marked a full evening emceed by NBC Today Show's Al Roker.  Support levels for the event were as follows table were $50,000, $ 25,000, $ 15,000, and $7,000 with individual tickets available for  $5,000, $ 2,500, $1,000 and $750. Over dinner and dessert*** highlights of the evening included: Al Roker welcoming attendees and gives remarks referring to Calvary's amazing work over the last 110 years, greetings from His Excellecy, The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, an invocation by Rabbi Charles P. Rabinowitz, Gala Co-Chairs, Journal Co-Chairs and Dinner Co-Chairs being recognized, a short film displaying the work of Calvary Hospital and both the children and elderly it helps in the area of bereavement, Sr. VP Thomas Fahey announced the Citation of Excellence to Thomas Indoe COO of Newman's Own, and Alan M. Miller Co-Chair of Innisfree M&A Inorporated received The Calvary Medal in recognition of distinguished career, philanthropic works that share Calvary's mission of service to the community--his award was given by Terence J. Gallagher and Joseph J. Morrow. Dinner and dancing to Harris Lane and his Orchestra followed as did a special performance by Broadway star Melissa Errico.

For more information on Calvary Hospital and their amazing programs  please visit www.calvaryhospital.org

***-dinner courtesy of the Pierre: Trio of sweet pea shooter, Maryland crabmeat compression w/ tomato and avocado and grilled vegetable napoleon w/ micro greens; Duet of Beet-Guava Short Ribs and herb crusted petit filet mignon w/ fingerling potatoes and baby carrots; The Pierre Quartet of Desserts--Caramel Asian Pear Cake, Chocolate Souffle Cake, Mini-Lemon Cheesecake and Strawberry Shortcake

*photos courtesy of Ben Gabbe/Patrick McMullan