by Norma Schwartzberg
Citizens Committee for New York City Raises $1.5 million at Annual Gala Celebrating 45 Years of Supporting NYC Grassroots Community Groups
Honorees, Partners, & Community Leaders Celebrate CCNYC’s Efforts to Improve Quality of Life Across NYC
New York – Citizens Committee for New York City (CCNYC) raised $1.5 million at its 2020 New Yorker for New York Gala, with hundreds of supporters, partners, funders, and community leaders coming together in support of its mission to help New Yorkers improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods through grassroots community projects.
Citizens Committee Chief Executive Officer, Peter H. Kostmayer, provided welcome remarks. CCNYC grantee Diana Blackwell of Frederick E. Samuel Resident Association introduced Deborah Smith, Senior Vice President, Community Relations at Wells Fargo, to accept the Corporate Citizen Award. Kumare Vulcain-Sowkey received the Marietta Tree Award for Public Service for his work to revitalize Discovery Community Garden 2 in Jamaica, Queens. Amy C. Falls, Chief Investment Officer and Vice President for Investments at The Rockefeller University, and Hartley R. Rogers, Chairman, Hamilton Lane, received the Osborne Elliott Award for Community Leadership. R. Tyler Morse, Chief Executive Officer of MCR, was presented with the New Yorker for New York Award.
Monday night’s event at Gotham Hall also featured a performance by vocal students from CCNYC grantee, the Professional Performing Arts School, who in partnership with National Chorale brought down the house and received a standing ovation for their performance of the title song from the Broadway musical, The Color Purple.
Peter Kostmayer was given a tribute for 15 years of leadership, which has strengthened the organization and its impact.
The proceeds from this year’s event will allow Citizens Committee to continue 45 years of work in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods, providing grants, project support, and technical skills to resident-led groups working to improve their neighborhood’s quality of life. This past year, CCNYC supported 596 projects in 164 neighborhoods through $2.3 million in grants and services, impacting more than 130,000 New Yorkers.
"It's wonderful to see so many New Yorkers come together to support our work with grassroots groups in just about every corner of our city. We are proud to support everyday residents in their quest to tackle a problem in their neighborhood and improve the quality of life for their neighbors, and we couldn't do it without the generous support of everyone in this room tonight. A huge thanks to all of our partners who help make great things happen in our city," said Peter Kostmayer, CCNYC CEO.
“It is my honor to accept the Corporate Citizen Award on behalf of Wells Fargo. We’re very proud to work alongside the extraordinary team at Citizens Committee and to help make a substantial impact in neighborhoods through our employee volunteerism and funding of 100 projects that improve our city. Congratulations to Citizens Committee on 45 years of dedicated service and transformational leadership. We look forward to serving more New Yorkers and neighborhoods together,” said Deborah A. Smith, Senior Vice President, Community Relations, Wells Fargo.
“I have seen firsthand the impact that neighbors, especially other youth, can have with just a little help and support. Thank you to Citizens Committee for honoring me and for all of your help as we work to make Jamaica, Queens a better place for everyone. Through Discovery Community Garden 2, residents have a chance to get their hands dirty and learn about gardening, so thank you for all of your guidance and support,” said Kumare Vulcain-Sowkey of Discovery Community Garden 2.
“Citizens Committee has given me and my neighbors the funding and support to really make a difference in our neighborhood over the years. We have brought neighbors together, addressed problems in our community, and made it a nicer place for everyone. I’m thrilled to be part of the Citizens Committee family and we truly appreciate everything this organization does for our city,” said Diana Blackwell, President of Frederick E. Samuel Resident Association.
The organization’s fall fundraising event, Evening on the Lake, will be held September 10 at the Central Park Boathouse honoring leaders in the restructuring and bankruptcy sector.
About Citizens Committee for New York City:
Citizens Committee for New York City’s mission is to help New Yorkers – especially those in low-income areas – come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Residents are uniquely situated to define and act on the issues affecting their communities. When provided with modest support, neighborhood and school groups can effectively mobilize with the assistance of grants, skills-building workshops, project planning assistance and an equipment share library. In 2019, we provided 596 projects with $2.3 million in grants and services, impacting more than 130,000 residents in 164 different neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Since 1975, we have promoted the spirit of volunteerism, local engagement, and social justice that drives our work. Visit us online at citizensnyc.org.
SEE IMAGES BELOW
Citizens Committee for New York City Raises $1.5 million at Annual Gala Celebrating 45 Years of Supporting NYC Grassroots Community Groups
Honorees, Partners, & Community Leaders Celebrate CCNYC’s Efforts to Improve Quality of Life Across NYC
New York – Citizens Committee for New York City (CCNYC) raised $1.5 million at its 2020 New Yorker for New York Gala, with hundreds of supporters, partners, funders, and community leaders coming together in support of its mission to help New Yorkers improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods through grassroots community projects.
Citizens Committee Chief Executive Officer, Peter H. Kostmayer, provided welcome remarks. CCNYC grantee Diana Blackwell of Frederick E. Samuel Resident Association introduced Deborah Smith, Senior Vice President, Community Relations at Wells Fargo, to accept the Corporate Citizen Award. Kumare Vulcain-Sowkey received the Marietta Tree Award for Public Service for his work to revitalize Discovery Community Garden 2 in Jamaica, Queens. Amy C. Falls, Chief Investment Officer and Vice President for Investments at The Rockefeller University, and Hartley R. Rogers, Chairman, Hamilton Lane, received the Osborne Elliott Award for Community Leadership. R. Tyler Morse, Chief Executive Officer of MCR, was presented with the New Yorker for New York Award.
Monday night’s event at Gotham Hall also featured a performance by vocal students from CCNYC grantee, the Professional Performing Arts School, who in partnership with National Chorale brought down the house and received a standing ovation for their performance of the title song from the Broadway musical, The Color Purple.
Peter Kostmayer was given a tribute for 15 years of leadership, which has strengthened the organization and its impact.
The proceeds from this year’s event will allow Citizens Committee to continue 45 years of work in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods, providing grants, project support, and technical skills to resident-led groups working to improve their neighborhood’s quality of life. This past year, CCNYC supported 596 projects in 164 neighborhoods through $2.3 million in grants and services, impacting more than 130,000 New Yorkers.
"It's wonderful to see so many New Yorkers come together to support our work with grassroots groups in just about every corner of our city. We are proud to support everyday residents in their quest to tackle a problem in their neighborhood and improve the quality of life for their neighbors, and we couldn't do it without the generous support of everyone in this room tonight. A huge thanks to all of our partners who help make great things happen in our city," said Peter Kostmayer, CCNYC CEO.
“It is my honor to accept the Corporate Citizen Award on behalf of Wells Fargo. We’re very proud to work alongside the extraordinary team at Citizens Committee and to help make a substantial impact in neighborhoods through our employee volunteerism and funding of 100 projects that improve our city. Congratulations to Citizens Committee on 45 years of dedicated service and transformational leadership. We look forward to serving more New Yorkers and neighborhoods together,” said Deborah A. Smith, Senior Vice President, Community Relations, Wells Fargo.
“I have seen firsthand the impact that neighbors, especially other youth, can have with just a little help and support. Thank you to Citizens Committee for honoring me and for all of your help as we work to make Jamaica, Queens a better place for everyone. Through Discovery Community Garden 2, residents have a chance to get their hands dirty and learn about gardening, so thank you for all of your guidance and support,” said Kumare Vulcain-Sowkey of Discovery Community Garden 2.
“Citizens Committee has given me and my neighbors the funding and support to really make a difference in our neighborhood over the years. We have brought neighbors together, addressed problems in our community, and made it a nicer place for everyone. I’m thrilled to be part of the Citizens Committee family and we truly appreciate everything this organization does for our city,” said Diana Blackwell, President of Frederick E. Samuel Resident Association.
The organization’s fall fundraising event, Evening on the Lake, will be held September 10 at the Central Park Boathouse honoring leaders in the restructuring and bankruptcy sector.
About Citizens Committee for New York City:
Citizens Committee for New York City’s mission is to help New Yorkers – especially those in low-income areas – come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Residents are uniquely situated to define and act on the issues affecting their communities. When provided with modest support, neighborhood and school groups can effectively mobilize with the assistance of grants, skills-building workshops, project planning assistance and an equipment share library. In 2019, we provided 596 projects with $2.3 million in grants and services, impacting more than 130,000 residents in 164 different neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Since 1975, we have promoted the spirit of volunteerism, local engagement, and social justice that drives our work. Visit us online at citizensnyc.org.
SEE IMAGES BELOW
Honorees Hartley Rogers and Amy Falls; Award Presenters Terry Lindsay, Bob Lindsay
Arvind Sowkey, Honoree Kumare Vulcain-Sowkey, Marie Vulcain
Award Presenter Jim Clerkin, Honoree Tyler Morse
Sydney Shuman, Stan Shuman
Sanjana Khan CCNYC Grantee, Board Member Nithya Sowrirajan, Ayesha Akhtar CCNYC Grantee
