The golden memory of Charles Evans, a charming presence in the New York philanthropic society, is burnished by the works he has left behind, by donating the bulk of his estate to charity. The over $4 million raised at the 11th annual Charles Evans PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, founded by Michael Milken, is but one reminder. Along with the Tournament, the weekend long fundraising efforts also included a gala at the Parrish Art Museum, catered by Robbins Wolfe. The celebration featured special performances from Natalie Cole, David Foster and “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard.
“This is the kind of party he would have loved,” Charles’ widow and an estate trustee, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, told us. “Lots of great people, lots of fun, but, doing something good to help people; this is what he was about. Charles was one of the original philanthropists. And everyone in the room would think he was spending the whole time with them. He was so generous of spirit and heart, that he wanted everyone to feel comfortable and happy.”
Also generous with his time, actor Richard Kind (Pixar’s “Inside Out,” “Mad About You,” “Spin City”), came out to support the cause. “I’m involved with other cancer research,” he told Hamptons.com. “It’s a scourge I would like to see destroyed, so you get involved with these things.” The actor, who served as the Bay Street Theater Summer Gala auctioneer and starred in a reading of “Steinbrenner!” at Guild Hall this summer, is busy with a new series. “I’m doing a great series for Amazon called “Red Oaks,” which I highly highly recommend,” he told us. “It’s combination of “Caddy Shack” and “Flamingo Kid.” You can watch the pilot now, and it’ll be on Amazon starting Friday, October 9th. And he did make time to see a classic at Bay Street, their Mainstage Season production of “Grey Gardens.” “One thing about the series,” he ruminated, “it prevents me from doing plays in the summer. And that’s what I live for.”
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Claudia Bergman, Agatha Teitelbaum, Doug Teitelbaum, and Bonnie Pfeifer Evans. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com) |
As to what fuels Bonnie Pfeifer Evans: “Being one of six trustees charged with leaving his legacy is such an honor and a pleasure, it’s like a love affair all over again,” she told us. The two were together the last eight years of Charles’ life. “When you get together with someone when you’re little more mature, you pack everything into it,” she remembered with a smile. “We were late bloomers and we were like little kids in love. We wanted to share everything every minute.”
Sharing the evening were Michael and Lori Milken, singer Natalie Cole, producer David Foster, Jim Coleman and Cynthia Ott, Bob and Deanna Adler, Seth and Marie Bernstein, Jeff and Mei Sze Greene, Mitchell Modell, Glenn and Jennifer Myles, Stewart Rahr, Artie and Selma Rabin, Dean Palin, Dr. Joel Pashcow, Leon and Leeza Wagner, John Paulson, Joe Torre, Marla Maples, Frank Luntz, Former New York Governor David Patterson, and Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Dr. Jonathan Simons.
For more information, visit www.pcf.org.
