NBA Legend Bob Lanier Served as One of the Evening’s Master of Ceremonies
Press Release – (New York, NY) – New York Cares, the largest volunteer network in New York City, celebrated its 2017 Winter Benefit on Monday, December 4 at the Plaza in Manhattan. The evening drew over 560 guests and raised over $1.6 million. Funds raised at the Winter Benefit support the many thousands of volunteer-led programs New York Cares creates to respond to the needs of more than 400,000 disadvantaged New Yorkers each year.
This year, New York Cares honored founding board member Jeanne Straus for her thirty-year leadership and commitment to New York Cares, as well as Kathy Wylde and the David Rockefeller Fellows Program of the Partnership for the City of New York. The David Rockefeller Fellows Program prepares senior corporate executives for leadership in civic and public affairs through a year of meetings, discussions, and site visits that illuminate how the city works and how individuals can make a difference. More than 400 executives have participated in the fellows program to prepare to take a more active role in shaping the city’s future.
New York Cares partners with over 1,300 nonprofits and schools throughout the five boroughs to improve education, meet immediate needs, and revitalize public spaces. At the Winter Benefit, guests were read a letter from a 9-year-old recipient of New York Cares’ Winter Wishes program, which exemplified the message that we can all make a difference in the lives of our fellow New Yorkers.
“The rates of homelessness in our city continue to skyrocket and the amount of individuals spending their nights in shelters or on the streets now make up one-fifth of the population in New York City,” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. “As New York Cares celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it also marks its 30th year as the largest network of volunteers in New York City. By investing in New York Cares, you are fueling the great work of the thousands of volunteers who are making a much needed impact in our struggling communities every day.”
NBA Legend Bob Lanier, Robbie Gordy from Christie’s, and Harold Ford Jr. of Morgan Stanley were the evening’s auctioneers, leading a lively auction that helped to raise an additional $300,000 for New York Cares’ year-round programs.
About New York Cares
New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, 64,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at over 1,300 nonprofits and schools –improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.
