On May 8 at Cipriani on Broadway, Gotham Cares hosted its first annual fundraiser gala in support of the Syrian refugee crisis. To assist the efforts of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and The International Rescue Committee, guests like Daniel Arsham, Alexander Gilkes, Sophie Sevigny, Inga Rubenstein and Keith Rubenstein, and John Targon gathered to hear current information about the crisis by Gotham Cares founder Ammar Moiz and the President of the Board of Médecins Sans Frontières-U.S. Dr. John Lawrence, MD, after a lighthearted introduction by Seth Herzog. Actress Jackie Cruz then introduced honoree President & CEO of International Rescue Committee and former Foreign Secretary of U.K. David Miliband through a video, which offered insightful updates. Later, performer Mona Haydar read aloud a poem about her experience as a Muslim woman and a daughter of Syrian immigrants.
Anchoring the night was a live auction, which was a hit during the dinner, raising funds for the philanthropic initiatives. Items like jewelry by Kimberly McDonald, signed footballs, and rare bottles of Dom Perignon champagne complemented travel and experience packages. To close out the night, guests enjoyed musical performances by The Misshapes (Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nichols) and Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern), while discussing plans for a better future.
GOTHAM CARES HOSTS INAUGURAL GALA FUNDRAISER FOR THE SYRIAN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS: WITH THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE AND MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES.
Photo by Griffin Lipson.
Courtesy of BFA.
