Partnership Makes for a Unique and Special Annual Dinner

The Circle of Friends Annual Dinner this year had a special quality that was truly unique.

This was the first event after our merger with Inwood House—and in many ways it exemplified the value of that partnership. By the numbers, we raised almost twice as much as last year and sold 700 tickets (300 more than last year).

But the numbers are only part of the story. The excitement in the room was palpable. The crowd rose to their feet at honoree David Schwartz’s personal plea for the rights of children for a “stable family, a decent home, a rich and challenging education, and safety from violence.” There were tears of surprise and joy as a talented, formerly homeless young women sang “To Dream the Impossible Dream.” And the crowd thundered its applause for our Inwood House honorees, Nick Adamo and Jim Blackley, who exhorted everyone to “get involved!”

At many fundraisers, attendees start calling for Ubers before the last speaker is finished. But, while this year’s program ended promptly at 9:00, more than half of the crowd stayed much later. They joined our Leadership Council’s After Party, mingling and enjoying the beautiful terrace on the water.

Thank you to our Dinner Committee, the Corporate Advisory Board, our honorees, and everyone who came and experienced the comradery of friends new and old.

We hope you’ll join us for next year’s dinner on April 26, 2018.

Click here to see the full gallery of pictures from the evening.