The New York City Mission Society held its annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental with cocktails starting at 6:30PM.  For over 200 years they have been positively impacting youth and families from underprivileged communities.  With its flagship community center in Harlem and 15 sites throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, more than 18,000 people are served annually.

Francine Lefrak

Tonights “Champions for Children Gala” honored multi-Grammy-winning composer, musician and educator Arturo O”Farrill.  It was an exciting evening with News Anchor Bill Ritter emceeing and the Latin Jazz Cats performing throughout the night.

Karina Tatarski, Florence Anthony, Jean Shafiroff & Lucia Hwong Gordon

Jean Shafiroff looked luminescent in a blue and white B Michael-I think she outdid any celebrity on any red carpet. Shafiroff’s opening remarks were indicative of her commitment and dedication to this important charity. Elsie McCabe Thompson, the current President, is literally on a “mission” to better the world and her speech articulated the incredible work Mission is doing.

Katrina and Don Peebles

There were other notables such as: Francine Lefrak, Cole and Stanley Rumbough, Don and Katrina Peebles, Lucia Hwong Gordon and Victor de Souza. This was one of those nights in New York where the views of Central Park and the fantastic food and company created the quintessential evening.

– Lieba Nesis

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