A Fool’s Fête 2008

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos with Event Chairs

On April 16, 2008, the Friends of New Yorkers For Children hosted their Fifth Annual Spring Dinner Dance—New Year’s in April: A Fool’s Fête, presented by Missoni.  More than 450 guests attended the evening of dinner and dancing at The Mandarin Oriental, which sold out before invitations were mailed for the second consecutive year.  The evening raised more than $515,000 in support of New Yorkers For Children’s educational programs. 

Event Chairs Marisa Brown, Martin Gibson Dessoffy, Lydia Fenet, Margherita Maccappani Missoni, Coralie Charriol Paul, Renee Rockefeller, Susan Shin, Vanessa Weiner von Bismarck, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, along with Junior Chairs Fabiola Beracasa, Zani Gugelmann, Oliver Hammond, Tinsley Mortimer, and Arden Wohl were instrumental in the evening’s success.  Honorary Chair and founding member of the Friends Committee, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, was surprised during the evening’s program when she was presented with an award in appreciation of her dedication to the Friends Committee.  We are so grateful for Dayssi’s support, without which A Fool’s Fête could not have grown into the amazing success that it has become.

Another of the evening’s highlights included a record-breaking silent auction, replete with custom couture gowns, relaxing spa treatments, vacation getaways, and delicious restaurant packages.  Bidding continued well into the night, and the auction eventually grossed more than $52,000.

Generous supporters and corporate sponsors included our Lead Sponsor, Swarovski, as well as Ram and Preethi Sundaram, Huge Boss, Roger Vivier, Christine and Stephen Schwarzman, Bally, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Jay Ahr, Missoni Profumi, Reservoir Capital, Bluemercury Apothecary, Tibi, and Vogue. In addition to their table purchases, Frederic Fekkai and Dior Beauty provided hair and makeup consultations for the 10 young people in foster care who joined us for the evening.  Friends Committee member B Michael once again lent his support by dressing and styling the youth in Missoni, Tibi, Tracy Reese, and Hart Schaffner Marx.  Thank you to all of our generous contributors.  We look forward to seeing you at next year’s A Fool’s Fête!

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