NYSPCC’s Spring Luncheon: Making NYC a Better Place for Kids
“Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation”-Nelson Mendela.
In the last few years, New York’s rate of child abuse and neglect complaints have been increasing. Fortunately, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC)-one of the most respected child protection agencies in the world-stands by Mendela’s words, and is fighting against that type of domestic violence.
April 11, 2019, marked NYSPCC’s most successful year yet: The agency hosted its 8th annual Spring Luncheon, an elegant affair that aims to help raise money for NYSPCC’s new programs: Trauma Recovery, and Safe Touches. The country’s’s influencers and celebrities gathered on this occasion in the Pierre Hotel.
Welcomed in a stunning, hand-painted dome (a true masterpiece), guests handed their coats and went up the stairs towards a chic, welcome-drink-area. The waiters, presentable and friendly, were walking around with appetizers and drinks, as guests took pictures in front of the wall-of-fame, sipped from their cocktails, and savored bite-sized rolls. Then, invitees were welcomed to a breathtaking dining room: chandeliers were dangling across the venue that was designed with classical ornaments. Tables were decorated with colorful centerpieces of flowers and delicious French pastries. Everything felt like royalty.
As people started eating their Chopped Salad of Kale and Purple Cabbage, Elizabeth Mayhew and Valesca Guerrand-Hermes (NYSPCC’s Co-Chairs and Board Members), welcomed the attendees, and most importantly, their Guests of Honor: Stephanie Ruhle (NBC News Anchor), and Tara Westover (Best-Selling Author of Educated). As the TV Presenter interviewed the writer, silence ruled over the room. Everyone was engaged and touched with Tara’s inspiring life story, and her courage to leave her home where she was abused by her father, to pursue her education: “[Healing victims of child abuse] goes back to a focus on sense of self,” said Westover. “That’s what has been taken away from them. We have to try to do what we can to help them rebuild that sense of their own selves; that right to take up space. Once they have that, they will see themselves." As the best-selling author received her standing ovation, waiters served the main course: an appetizing Roasted Breast of Chicken stuffed with bulgur wheat, fingerling potatoes, and green beans. Celebrity auctioneer, Harry Santa-Olalla, entertained guests as they enjoyed their dish, and successfully raised over $400,000.
The fundraising lunch ended on the sweetest note: with berries and a honey crème fraiche, and the launch of NYSPCC’s most successful Spring Luncheon to date. The agency has been making New York a safer place since 1875, but that day, NYSPCC reached a new milestone in its noble mission.
