( Getty Images)
The New York Center for Children celebrated it's 20th Anniversary with a Spring Cocktail reception at the Bar Clement of the Peninsula Hotel on Wednesday, April 15th. Wine, Signature cocktails and delicious hors d'oeuvres of Sashimi fluke, duck spring rolls and carrot gazpacho came before a silent auction. Lovely guests included Kathleen Turner, Nick Loeb, Harriet Cole, Annette Niemtzow, Vanessa Von Bismarck and Shallon Gammon (who designed the lovely invitations) bid on items such as three nights at the Imanta Resort in Mexico, one weekend stay at Westcott B&B in Hudson New York, Lia Schorr day spa package, shopping and styling with Kirna Zabete's Sarah Easley and three nights in The Peninsula Paris. The evening was hosted by Christine Rales, Kevin J. Ryan, Michele Herbert, Sophie Ann Terrisse, Lauren Vernon and Heidi Mitchell.
Michele Herbert, Jean Shafiroff, Kevin Ryan, Lauren Vernon and Christine Crowther
(Owen Hoffman/ PatrickMcMullan.com)
Dr. Beth Worley, Heidi Mitchell and Vanessa Von Bismarck
(Owen Hoffman/ PatrickMcMullan.com)
The beautiful Ms. Vernon who has been a board member for 18 years explains, "Every year we have a story of children who have been helped by our program and they are an inspiration to other children. " The NYCC provides counseling and aid to children and their families who have survived child abuse free of charge. Kate Spade the Honorary Chair of the Center's Board of Directors shares," Children are supported in their journey to a safer place. There is no other organization quite like it." To date 15,000 families have received hope and recovery through the Center. Training programs for medical professionals to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of child abuse are also provided. The child-friendly space with toys, a playroom, and hand-painted mural has extra curricular activities and tutoring by a dedicated staff lead by Christine Crowther and Dr. Kathie Grimm. The New York Center for Children is privately funded and this benefit aids the journey for our children to be nurtured back to health.