On
April 12, dedicated supporters gathered to celebrate Union
Settlement’s Fourth Annual Sounds of East Harlem Benefit.
Held at the W Hotel, Union Square, the event drew
Settlement Board members, community leaders, public officials and
friends – all eager to support Union Settlement and to pay tribute
to the benefit’s honorees, Felipe Luciano and
Bill Lynch, who were acknowledged for their
remarkable community achievements. The event was co-chaired by
Judy and Michael Nuremberg and Alison and
Randall Shaw.
|
During the cocktail hour autographed and copies
of The Tale of Tia and Matilda, a book that was
written and photographed by the School Age III group of
the After School Program, were sold by the children to
help raise funds for their
program. | |
Mr. Luciano,
reporter, community activist and founder and chair of the Young
Lords Party, spoke vibrantly about the need for past immigrant
populations to join with current ones. “This is the city where
dreams are made. And that’s what Union Settlement is about,” he
said.
Bill Lynch, a nationally renowned political consultant
and former NYC Deputy Mayor with more than 30 years of experience in
social activism and public policy, spoke warmly about Union
Settlement and its long history, noting, “You can measure your
success by being in business for 110 years. And we need you now more
than ever.”
Following the honorees, Ester
Fuchs, a senior adviser to Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, brought greetings from the Mayor, who commended
the Settlement for its “vital initiatives.”
|
Randall and Alison
Shaw | |
Among the evening’s many
highlights was the return of Nicholas Lowry,
President of Swann Auction Galleries and a regular on PBS’s
Antiques Roadshow. A big hit at last year’s benefit, Mr.
Lowry reprised his role as auctioneer, leading a thrilling live
auction.
The greatest excitement of all was
generated by two rousing and energetic dance
performances by participants from Youth at Union, Union Settlement’s
youth services division. The students were tremendous crowd-pleasers
and served as vibrant reminders of the accomplishments made possible
through individual commitment, family support and community
collaboration.
In its 110th anniversary year, its mission
remains the same, helping people build brighter futures for
themselves and their families through quality education and human
service programs that respond to the needs of our culturally diverse
community. To learn more please visit http://www.unionsettlement.org/ |