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VOLUNTEERS OF
AMERICA-GREATER NEW YORK HOSTS 21st ANNUAL
GALA
HONORING DAVID MATERA & OOH
PITCH
A New York Winter’s Eve, emceed by Willie Geist, host
of Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist and
co-host of MSNBC’S Morning
Joe, raises
funds to support Volunteers of America’s wide ranging
social service programs
(New York, NY – December 13,
2016) – More than 350 philanthropic
New Yorkers –
members of the media, finance and corporate communities – joined
together to celebrate Volunteers
of America-Greater New York’s 21st annual
gala, A New York
Winter’s Eve. This annual fundraiser was hosted by Willie
Geist, host of
Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist and
co-host of MSNBC’S Morning
Joe. Held in The
Plaza Grand Ballroom, the event raised funds to benefit more
than 90 life-changing social service programs that help tens of
thousands or people and families in need in the Greater New York
area every year.
New York-based boutique media agency OOH
PITCH and its co-founder David
Matera received
the Spirit of the
Founders Award for
their invaluable support throughout the years and for their
significant contributions to this year’s Operation
Backpack®, Volunteers of America’s annual
back-to-school campaign that outfits homeless children with
brand new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies,
as well as the veteran’s campaign.
Tere Pettitt, President
and CEO of Volunteers of America-Greater New York, said, “At
Volunteers of America, we are devoted to helping our most
vulnerable and at-risk neighbors by providing a lifeline of
indispensable services. Without the generosity of our friends
and supporters, we would be unable to aid the thousands of
struggling New Yorkers who rely on our vital programs to
survive. This year, we are delighted to honor David Matera and
OOH PITCH at our A New
York Winter’s Eve for
their critical support.”
Volunteers of America-Greater New York, one of the oldest and
most effective social services charities in the nation. Here in
New York City, we are one of the largest providers of services
to the homeless and families escaping domestic violence, and the
largest provider of supportive housing for formerly homeless
veterans. Our programs serve the elderly, young children with
developmental delays who also live in poverty, individuals
impacted by HIV/AIDS, youth aging out of foster care and more.
“I am honored to receive this year’s Spirit
of the Founders Award,” David
Matera, CEO and Co-founder of OOH PITCH, noted. “At OOH PITCH,
we understand the importance of giving back to the community we
live in and are committed to supporting Volunteers of America’s
tireless efforts to help thousands of New Yorkers in need.”
Serving as event chair were board
members Roxann
Taylor and Tom
Johnson.
Also in attendance was Paige
Davis, well-known
host of TLC's Trading Spaces and seasoned stage actor
(Broadway’s ‘Chicago’ and ‘Boeing Boeing’). Ms. Davis is also a
Volunteers of America-Greater New York Board Member and
spokesperson for the organization’s Operation
Backpack® campaign.
Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Chef
Todd English, an
internationally acclaimed and recognized chef.
The live and silent auctions were led by Lucas
Hunt, professional
auctioneer. Among the unique auction items were a trip to
Bermuda, a dinner for ten with wine pairings in the Todd English
Food Hall at The Plaza curated by Chef Todd English, a private
movie screening, an in-home Dessert party paired with Veuve
Clicquot prepared by The Plaza’s Executive Pastry Chef Matthew
Lambie, as well as fabulous Broadway shows, including Hamilton
and a walk-on role in Chicago.
# # #
ABOUT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-GREATER
NEW YORK: Volunteers
of America has been at the forefront of social service for 120
years, helping individuals and families in need overcome
obstacles to living safe, healthy and productive lives. Across
the country, 2 million people in 400 communities in 46 states
feel the impact of Volunteers of America’s work every year.
Locally, tens of thousands of men, women and children in need
benefit from Volunteers of America’s life-changing, often
lifesaving work including the homeless, families affected by
domestic violence, children with special needs, adults living
with HIV/AIDS, behavioral health or substance use issues,
at-risk youth, veterans struggling to find their footin
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