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Health Advocates New York Gala Raised
Funds for Healthy
& Safe Living Programs for the NYC
Community
Event Honored
Jean Shafiroff, Evan A. Davis, and Rebecca Myers Thomas
Health Advocates for Older People’s New
York Treasures Gala took place at
a private club in Manhattan. The festive event was a
momentous affair with guests enjoying cocktails and dinner.
Co-chairs Leonard Van Lowe and Richard S. Johnson along
with Executive Director, Nancy Houghton, helped host
the benefit that honored the three Health Advocates’ 2021
New York Treasures that include Jean Shafiroff, Evan
A. Davis, and Rebecca Myers Thomas. Houghton
states, “We are excited to be celebrating 36 years of
providing tools, techniques, and support for the City’s
seniors to help them to age with vitality and independence.”
Notable attendees included: honorees Jean
Shafiroff, Evan A. Davis, and Rebecca Myers
Thomas; Elizabeth (Betsy) Timberman, Leonard Van Lowe, Richard
S. Johnson, Nancy Houghton, Martin Shafiroff, NYS Assembly
Woman Rebecca Seawright, Bunty Armstrong, Gale Kroger, Anne
Griffin, David Hochberg, Annette Delorenzo, Alex Donner,
John Beddingfield, Stephen Houghton, David Rowe, Leslie
Rupert, Christine Walevska, Margaret Austin, Rosemarie
Dackerman, David Timberman, Kathy Caraccio, Beatrice Bardin,
Dawn Rose, Malan Breton, Ava Roosevelt, Patricia Shiah,
Nicole Salmasi, and Lucia Hwong
Gordon.
The honorees hold an impressive number of
achievements. Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist,
humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book "Successful
Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give". Jean
is often referred to as "the first lady of philanthropy" by
the press because of her generosity and extensive work as a
volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world.
She serves on the boards of many charitable organizations
and each year chairs upwards of eight different charity
galas. Among the many causes she champions are those
involved in women’s rights, rights of the underserved,
health care, and animal welfare.
Evan A. Davis has
clerked for Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and served
in the administration of New York City Mayor John Lindsay as
Chief of the Law Department’s Consumer Protection Division.
He served 12 years as a member of Columbia University Board
of Directors and was a partner at Cleary Gottlieb LLP. He
also served as Counsel to Governor Mario M. Cuomo.
Rebecca Myers Thomas has
served on numerous nonprofit boards including the Junior
League of the City of New York, the London Service League,
the Civil Support Division of the Legal Aid Society, Musica
Sacra, the Gateway School, and Berkshire Choral Festival.
She partnered with Dr. Nina Lief in beginning one of the
earliest childhood development programs, “From 0 to 3” which
became the model for measuring growth in the first 3 years
of a child’s life.
“I am so pleased to be able to support the
work of Health Advocates for Older People. They provide
tools, techniques, and support so that all people can thrive
with vitality and independence. Life for the aged can be
particularly difficult. I am very impressed with the
dedication of their staff headed by Executive Director,
Nancy Houghton. Health Advocates provides free programs that
help our neighborhood elderly to remain independent and in
control of their aging process. I am truly honored to be
honored by Health Advocates,” says Jean Shafiroff.
Additionally, Elizabeth (Betsy) Timberman received
the organization’s Josephine N. McFadden Volunteer of the
Year award. She has been a volunteer for Health Advocates
for over 10 years and currently chairs the agency’s Advisory
Board. Special recognition was also granted to Simone
Hannah-Clarke, a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, who was
interviewed by Anderson Cooper of CNN and will be
representing the essential workers who have kept the city
afloat during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were fantastic auction items up for bid
including: an evening musicale with world-renowned cellist,
Christine Walevska; an oil painting by Hunt Slonem; an
experience in Newport aboard one of the America’s Cup 12
Meter Yachts; and a tour of Master Printer Kathy Caraccio’s
studio. Funds raised at the gala benefited Health Advocates
for Older People, which for 36 years has promoted safe and
healthy aging through programs designed to facilitate
independent living, physical well-being, and greater social
interaction. The organization proudly provides exercise
classes to build balance, strength and flexibility, and home
safety assessments to help seniors remain at home safely.
Also offered are 22 weekly exercise, wellness classes,
informational seminars, and social activities in 14
locations, as well as online.
For more information on the Health Advocates
for Older People New York Treasures Gala please visit https://www.hafop.org.
About Health Advocates for Older
People:
Health Advocates for
Older People, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) organization was founded
in 1985 by a coalition of individuals and non-profit
agencies to promote healthy aging. During its first five
years it was involved in the establishment of clinics in the
Bronx to provide preventive health care and promote
wellness. In 1993 Health Advocates became aware of the
increasing need for housing with supportive services for the
growing aging population and developed Carnegie East House,
a 104-unit non-profit assisted residence which was
transitioned in 2007 to another non-profit organization.
This allowed Health Advocates to return to its original
focus on programs and services for a broader and more diverse,
increasingly frail elderly population.
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