The Children's Aid Society Gala at the Waldorf Astoria

We had the pleasure of shooting the first gala for The Children's Aid Society last night at the legendary Waldorf Astoria. This was a sold-out event and the evening was led by Master of Ceremonies, Ron Suskind and Iris Abrons the Gala Chair. The event recognized the work of Robert Wolf, Ann Sather & Doris Meister for BNY Mellon. The Children's Aid Society Chorus performed as well.


Promise Award Recipient Robert Wolf, Gala Chair Iris Abrons and Children's Aid CEO Richard Buery

Master of Ceremonies Ron Suskind, Ruchard Buery and Gala Committee Member Anne Citrin

Richard Buery and Petra Nemcova

Petra Nemcova, CAS student and Donna Pressman

Table decor made by Children's Aid Society students

Robert Wolf and Tamara Tunie

Award recipient Ann Sather and Patti LuPone

The Children's Aid Society Foster Care Recognition

Last night I shot the Foster Care Recognition event for The Children's Aid Society at Maestro's in The Bronx. I believe in giving back and thank my good friend Bill Bytsura for joining me in shooting this event pro-bono. Everyone had a fabulous time and it was great to see all of these foster parents together!

The Childrens Aid Society Youth Speak Out at NYU

I have been shooting this event for The Children's Aid Society for several years, and it just keeps getting better! The students put on skits and share about a provided topic, and this year they talked about helping students living in transitional housing. They are quite polished and there were some quite well produced bits. Some special guests included Touré and former New York Ranger and Stanley Cup winner Adam Graves. There is also a scholarship component provided by the Audrey Miller Poritzky Education Fund for Children and many scholarships were given out to students. Hooray for the kids!

Some of the scholarship winners.

Adam Graves

Current CEO and President Richard Buery, Jr.

Former CEO of The Children's Aid Society, Phil Coltoff

Touré

Go Michael and Go New York Knicks - Lily Kesselman Photography New York

Pictured (left to right): Elmer Blanco, former participant in Children’s Aid youth programming and current employee; John Starks, Knicks Alumni Relations and Fan Development Advisor and former player; honoree Michael Roberts; Matthew Modine, actor and member of the Garden of Dreams Board of Directors; Wendy Flores, former participant in Children’s Aid youth programming and current employee.

Michael Roberts, Associate Division Director Youth Development Services at The Children’s Aid Society, was honored with the prestigious Garden of Dreams Hero Award at a center court ceremony at Madison Square Garden on April 6th at halftime during the Knicks/Celtics game. I was there to capture the event!

The Garden of Dreams Foundation, the charitable arm of Madison Square Garden, chose Roberts as its Hero for his commitment and dedication in working with children in crisis. A special reception for Roberts’ family, friends and Children’s Aid and MSG executives was held before the evening’s basketball game.

The Garden of Dreams is a generous supporter of Children’s Aid, providing financial assistance as well as extraordinary experiences for our youth.

And The Knicks won the game against Boston that night so it was a double win!

The Children's Art Show at The National Arts Club - Lily Kesselman Photography

I photograph this even every year and just love it!  It is an art show at the National Arts Club featuring art created by children in The Children's Aid Society's programs.  The work is amazing and this year they added some fabulous "green fashion" to the mix!  I think I just love the metro-card dress!

A young art enthusiast.

Maeve Gyenes, Richard R. Buery, Jr., and Donna Glazer Pressman

An amazing piece made from Domino's! The right image is out of focus and you really see the figure of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The new President and CEO of The Children's Aid Society, Richard R. Buery, Jr.

Jared Jeffries and Toney Douglas of The Knicks visit The Children's Aid Society

This morning I photographed a visit from the New York Knicks' Jared Jeffries and Toney Douglas at The Children's Aid Society in Harlem. The two basketball players had a busy morning - they loaded food in the food pantry at the Pelham Fritz location, visited preschoolers at the daycare (and checked out the kids' balance beam skills) and gave out gifts to parents. Jared Jeffries sponsored the event.

Jared Jeffries and Toney Douglas. The children made a big card for Jared!

Toney Douglas

Jared Jeffries hands out great gifts for parents!

Jared Jeffries and Toney Douglas