Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club President’s Dinner Raises $1.65 Million
The annual celebration’s fundraising efforts will help support afterschool programs for more than 11,000 children in the Bronx
On Thursday evening, design industry titans and distinguished guests gathered for the annual Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club President’s Dinner, which this year honored President of the Board of Trustees, James Druckman, and the New York Design Center. Held at Cipriani 42nd Street, the black-tie event helped raise $1.65 million that will go toward supporting the organization’s efforts to provide after school programs for more than 11,000 children throughout the Bronx.
Event chairs Jamie Drake and Corey Damen Jenkins welcomed guests, who enjoyed a lively cocktail reception followed by an energetic drumming performance by the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club K Company before honorary chair Bunny Williams presented Druckman with his award. Druckman, who is also president and CEO of the New York Design Center, thanked his predecessors in his acceptance speech.
“Thank you for this honor, and for continuing to support me in this collective endeavor of our industry,” Druckman said, following a standing ovation from guests. “It has become integral to our professional community and, more importantly, to the respective communities of children and families that Kips Bay serves. I accept this award on behalf of those who came before me and built the foundation for our success. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Designers Sasha Bikoff, Alessandra Branca, Mara Miller, Jesse Carrier, Mara Miller, Alexa Hampton, Young Huh, Andrew Torrey, and Jonathan Savage served as event vice chairs.
As the evening unfolded, children mingled with guests, including Nazira Handal, Daniel Quintero, Alfredo Paredes, Ashley Stark, Elizabeth Graziolo, Melanie Roy, Shawn Henderson, Thom Filica, Wendy Goodman, and many others, and conducted interviews on the step and repeat. A high point was the annual Sponsor a Child fundraiser portion of the night, where the room is filled with symbolic balloons as donations pour in.
See more highlights from the evening below:
