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Hale House Board Member Melvin
Washington; House Ways & Means Chair Charles B. Rangel;
former NYC Mayor David Dinkins; Hale House Chairman of
the Board Zachary Carter, Esq.; and Hale House
Executive Director Randolph McLaughlin at the 38th
annual Mother Hale Awards for Caring Gala on June 4 at
Gotham Hall in Manhattan. The elegant evening, hosted by
Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden, raised more
than half a million dollars and paid tribute to Congressman
Rangel as well as philanthropist Valesca Guerrand-Hermès;
Kimberly B. Davis, President of the JPMorgan Chase
Foundation; and Michael D. Lappin, President of the
Community Preservation Corporation and Hale House board
member. Photo by: Shahar Azran |
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June 28, 2007, New York – Hale House Inc., the renowned
childcare organization, announced today that it raised more
than half a million dollars at its 38th annual Mother Hale
Awards for Caring Gala, which took place at the majestic
Gotham Hall on June 4. In recognition of several individuals
that exemplify the spirit of Clara “Mother” Hale, at the event
Hale House paid tribute to House Ways & Means Chair Charles B.
Rangel; philanthropist Valesca Guerrand-Hermès; Kimberly B.
Davis, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation; and Michael
D. Lappin, President of the Community Preservation Corporation
and Hale House board member.
“Mother Hale was a unique spirit who gave selflessly of
herself and each of the honorees exemplify her spirit and
strength,” said Randolph McLaughlin, Executive Director of
Hale House. “These individuals are living examples of the good
that can be done by simply giving back to the community and
their support empowers us to continue the legacy that Mother
Hale started 38 years ago. We thank each of them and everyone
who has helped make this evening a great success.”
The event—which was hosted by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay
Harden—provided an elegant evening featuring a cocktail
reception followed by dinner, the award presentations and an
auction offering wonderful items. Among the 430 guests
attending the event were: gala chairs Douglas Hannant, Dayssi
Olarte de Kanavos and Christine Schwarzman; guests including
New York Giants’ Osi Umenyiora, Campion and Tatiana Platt,
Lorenzo and Eva Lorenzotti, Geoffrey Bradfield, and Izak and
Sarah Senbahar; as well as former mayor David Dinkins and WNBC-TV’s
David Ushery, who each presented awards.
Between both the silent and live auction—led by Lydia Fenet of
the world-renowned auction house Christie’s—over $40,000 was
raised from a variety of items and unique “experiences”
including: a walk-on role in an upcoming film written by
Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones’s Diary), which went for $3,500;
a special VIP package for the Broadway hit Legally Blonde,
that went for $3,500; a fantasy baseball clinic led by the New
York Yankees’ Derek Jeter, that was bought at $5,000; and the
auction’s biggest purchase, a chance to talk business
one-on-one during lunch with New York City’s Chief Financial
Officer, Comptroller William Thompson, which went for $7,500.
The spectacular evening also included performances by the Boys
& Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble, the Pink Diamond
Steppers Association and DJ Will.
Proceeds from the benefit will go toward supporting Hale House
programs including the early childhood learning center,
supportive transitional housing program, family stabilization
efforts and community outreach programs which have helped
hundreds of children and families.
Hale House Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated
to building better futures for children and families. Founded
in 1969 and incorporated in 1972, Hale House’s flagship
program, the Mother Hale Children’s Residence, grew out of the
commitment of Clara McBride Hale, affectionately called Mother
Hale, to nurture disadvantaged children. When Hale House
began, it was the first institution of its kind in the nation
to house and care for infants born to mothers who were
addicted to drugs.
In keeping with Mother Hale's vision for serving the
community's needs, Hale House has extended its services to
include the Hale House Supportive Transitional Housing Program
for families and the Mother Hale Learning Center an
affordable, educational childcare program. |