We should have starved ourselves before the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC)’s sixth annual Food & Wine Gala at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan on Tuesday, November 6. At least we told hostess Dr. Penny Grant that we had, the excuse for making our way through Estiatorio Milos’ Chef Costas Spiliadis’ all four courses and wine pairings provided by George Spiliadis, of Cava Spiliadis.
Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville, who is also a member of The NYSPCC’s Children’s Council, served as the evening’s host. With Mary Pulido Ph.D, Executive Director of The NYSPCC, they reminded the room why they were there… besides that gourmet grub. The NYSPCC is a template for agencies around the country to help children recover from and protect against abuse. It has investigated more than 650,000 cases on behalf of over two million children and has educated over 47,000 professionals working with children on child abuse and neglect issues.
“We are the first line of defense for vulnerable children and their families in New York City,” said Dr. Pulido. “Our Trauma Recovery Program provides life-saving counseling to children who have suffered unthinkable abuse, and we’re so grateful to everyone who attended this crucial event and contributed to their rescue and recovery.”
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Jean Shafiroff and Dr. Penny Grant. (Photo: Sylvain Gaboury /PMC) |
Guests included Vicky Cornell, the widow of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and a member of The NYSPCC’s Children’s Council, President of The NYSPCC’s Board Karl Wellner, Gilligan’s Island star Tina Louise, Delicatessen’s Executive Chef Michael Ferraro, who provided The NYSPCC’s exclusive Food & Wine Gala menu in 2017, Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services David Hansell, business executive and former Reuters CEO Tom Glocer and his wife, NYSPCC Board Member Maarit Glocer and New York Jets offensive tackle Brent Qvale.
Harry Santa-Olalla led the gala’s reverse auction, which raises crucial funding for The NYSPCC’s Trauma Recovery Program. The program offers a specialized therapeutic program for children, ages 5-18, who have experienced physical or sexual abuse, neglect, traumatic bereavement, or who have witnessed family violence.
For more information, visit www.nyspcc.org.
