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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, co-host of the
Today Show and Morning Joe, raises funds to support Volunteer of
America's
wide ranging social service programs
(New York, NY) - More than 350 philanthropic
New Yorkers ? members of the real estate, 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, Today
Show and Morning
Joe co-host.
Held in The
Plaza Grand Ballroom, the event raised over $700,000 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?, Volunteer 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-Greater New York, we are devoted
to helping our most vulnerable and at-risk neighbors by
providing a lifeline of indispensable services. Because of the
generosity of our friends and supporters, thousands of
individuals and families in need are living safe, healthy, and
productive lives in the community. This year, we were delighted
to honor David Matera and OOH PITCH with the Spirit of the
Founders Award for their passion and dedication to our mission.
Volunteers of America-Greater New York is one of the oldest and
most comprehensive social services charities, serving vulnerable
New Yorkers for nearly 120 years. The services provided allow
individuals and families to overcome obstacles in order to live
safe, healthy and productive lives. Volunteers of
America-Greater New York is committed to aiding the homeless,
families escaping domestic violence, struggling veterans,
preschoolers with developmental delays who also live in poverty,
adults living with HIV/AIDS and other serious health issues,
youth aging out of foster care, and so many others.
"I
am honored to receive this year's Spirit
of the Founders Award,? David Matera, Senior Vice President
of Strategic Initiatives, Holt Media Companies and CEO/
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, as well as fabulous Broadway shows, including
Hamilton, a walk-on role in Chicago and dinner packages.
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ABOUT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-GREATER NEW YORK:
Volunteers of America has been at the forefront of social
service for nearly 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 footing and the frail elderly.
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