The enCourage Kids Foundation hosted Serving Up Smiles, a premier tasting event that included decadent plates from world-renowned chefs and top named restaurants in NYC, VIP Lounge, world-class wines, cocktails, and incredible auction items at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers.

ABC Sports Anchor Ryan Field emceed the program and Chef Ralph Scamardella (Chef & Partner TAO Group Hospitality) served as Culinary Chair. 

Guests walked around and enjoyed a variety of different foods and beverages donated by Alvin & Friends, Avo Taco, bakeyorey, Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse, Bryant Park Grill, Butter, HappyBoards, LAVO New York, Robert, Sfoglia, Spice Culture, Sweets to Crave, TAO Uptown, B. Stuyvesant Champagne, Dr. Perricone Hydrogen Water, Fever-Tree, FIJI Water, Jade Sparkling Wine, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery,Landmark Vineyards, Newburgh Brewing Company, Owl’s Brew, Revel Spirits Inc., Shinju Japanese Whiskey, Whitley Neill Gin, and Zyr Vodka.

“All of us at enCourage Kids are beyond grateful for the continued support of our donors, sponsors and guests who are committed to the work of our organization. It was a special night to honor the late Michele Hall Duncan, our former president & CEO and acknowledge her hard work throughout the years. We are committed to our mission to make hospitals a better place to get better and we will continue to support our enCourage Kids families,” stayed Joe Wessely, Board Chair enCourage Kids Foundation.

A beautiful memorial video played for Michele Hall Duncan, the late president & CEO of enCourage Kids Foundation who lost her battle this past June to metastatic breast cancer. Wesley Duncan, Michele’s son, delivered a beautiful and meaningful speech, honoring his mother’s 26 years of work with the organization. The organization recently established The Michele Hall-Duncan Child Life Hero award which will be an annual award recognizing a Child Life professional for their outstanding service and dedication to pediatric patients.  The award will include a grant to the recipient’s institution to fund a pediatric program as another way to honor Michele’s legacy. The inaugural award will be granted at the 2023 enCourage Kids Gala.

Committed to the mission of enCourage Kids, Erik Coleman (Former NFL Safety & MSG Commentator of Odds with Ends), Jimmy Leyritz (2x NY Yankees World Series Champion), Tony Richardson (NFL Legend & Sports Commentator), and Matt Brust (Former NBA Forward & Finance Expert), who attended and enjoyed eating and dancing the night away with the music provided by Live Wire Band. 

Event sponsors included ARK RESTAURANTS, BRYANT PARK GRILL, CAPITAL ONE, COUGAR Capital, The Donut Pub, Feil Family Foundation, GFP Real Estate, ROBERT, Signature Bank, Lucy and David Ball, Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP, CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD, BUCHBINDER & WARREN, and Emerson Amusements Company.

EKF has several life-altering programs to help make hospitals a better place to get better. Their Jay Anderson Pediatric Hospital Support Program is their cornerstone program and funds grants to hospitals for a variety of programs such as creative arts and music therapy programs and facility dogs for patients and pediatric staff.  The enCourage Kids Bear program provides cuddly teddy bears to pediatric patients that provide much needed solace and serves as a valuable teaching tool to help kids develop coping skills.

About enCourage Kids Foundation                                                                                                            Since 1985, enCourage Kids Foundation has helped humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community. Serving more than one million children annually, enCourage Kids is focused on making hospitals a better place to get better. Their programs offer relief from the constant burden of treatment, hospital stays, and doctor appointments, while also helping pediatric facilities to meet the unique needs of their patients. enCourage Kids Foundation envisions a world where every child–regardless of the difficulty of his or her medical journey—experiences joy, hope, resilience, and healing.

To get involved with the organization or make a donation: www.encourage-kids.org

Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), the leading nonprofit dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases held the GLA GLOBAL GALA 2022 at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City.

The event raises Lyme disease awareness and funds for research to improve diagnostics and treatments and ultimately find a cure for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The spectacular and one-of-a-kind gala was a night to remember for invited celebrities, business leaders, and top scientists alike.

The evening’s honored guests included Kim & Atty Cleworth, A mother and daughter who have been impacted by Lyme. They are also Executive Producers of the film, I’m Not Crazy I’m Sick. An exclusive preview was shown to the audience of the documentary about their struggle.

A highlight of New York’s philanthropic calendar, this year’s event raised more than $1.85 million to advance GLA’s mission to conquer Lyme. A live auction led by Jason Lamoreaux auctioned items including a trilogy of sports events, travel experiences and a golf weekend with professional Jimmy Walker for which bidding was keen. The GLA has gained national prominence for funding the most promising research in the field.

The evening program began with cocktails and dinner, a video contribution by Debbie Gibson, and speech by Broadway Star Ashley Loren, on the impact that Lyme disease has had on their lives. The event was hosted by master of ceremonies Rosanna Scotto, Co-Host of FOX 5 “Good Day New York.” The evening also featured an exceptional live performance by Recording Artist Pia Toscano and later in the night, Erich Bergen, Star of Madam Secretary and both the stage and screen versions of Jersey Boys.

Celebrated event planner Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events produced the gala experience by donating his designs and décor to the virtuous cause for the fourth year in a row, showcasing his long-standing dedication to the Lyme community.

Notable Attendees included: Kim Cleworth & Atty Cleworth (Honorees), Rosanna Scotto (Master of Ceremonies), Erich Bergen (Entertainment), Pia Toscano (Recording Artist), Larry Scott (Lawrence Scott Events), Ashley Loren (Broadway Star), Chris Meloni (Actor), Kelley Flanagan and Peter Weber (TV’s The Bachelor), Margaret Josephs and Joe Benigno (Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ)), Dolores Catania (Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ)), Jennifer Fessler, Nicole Miller (Fashion Designer), Lindsay Solmer (Influencer), Alexa Laura (Influencer), Gina Valles(Influencer), Mar Jennings (TV Show Host), Jon James Stavola (Artist).

The Co-Chairs for the event include Rose Anastasio, Amy Balducci, Charles Balducci, Diane M. Blanchard, Robert Kobre, Brett Kristoff, Jarrod Nadel, Lorrie Nadel, Paul B. Ross, Larry Scott, Erin Walker and Jimmy Walker.

Photo Credits: Jared Siskin/PMC / Rob Berry/BFA / Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images