Ronald McDonald House® New York Gala Raises More Than $3.5 Million to Benefit Pediatric Cancer Patients and Their Families

NEW YORK, May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It was bright lights, big city, and even bigger generosity as New York City, led by the retail and financial industries, came together to raise more than $3.5 million at Ronald McDonald House® New York's 19th Annual Gala.  The evening's total represented the highest amount raised in the history of the event. Held on May 16, 2011 at the Waldorf=Astoria Grand Ballroom, the gala was hosted by legendary TV personality Barbara Walters, who served as master of ceremonies.  The funds raised will support the organization's mission of providing temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families while the child undergoing active treatment at one or more of 13 nearby partnering hospitals throughout the city.  Ronald McDonald House New York is the largest RMH-facility out of more than 300 worldwide.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110517/NY03680 )

"We are very grateful and honored to have received such generous consideration from the community," said Stanley B. Shopkorn, chairman of the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, and managing partner of Hilltop Park Associates LLC. "This year's event was memorable not just for the records that were set, but for the hope that it will bring to our families who come here seeking a home-away-from-home while in crisis."  

This year's Gala celebrated two very special honorees.  Introduced by Ralph Schlosstein, his former partner and co-founder of BlackRock, the first honoree of the evening was Keith T. Anderson, chief investment officer for Soros Fund Management, LLC and its principal entity, the Quantum Fund.

VF Corporation's Chairman, President & CEO Eric C. Wiseman was also honored, celebrating the achievement with his wife Susan and their two daughters. During his acceptance speech, Mr. Wiseman noted that VF Corporation's private jet participates in the Corporate Angels' program, flying families to Newark, NJ, weekly so that children with cancer might receive free transportation to treatment.

Other notable New Yorkers in attendance at the Gala included Tina and Terry Lundgren, Macy's and Bloomingdale's; Nancy Shevell and Myron Shevell, the Shevell Group; Kenneth G. Langone; Joseph Gromek, Warnaco, Inc.; Louise and Vince Camuto, The Camuto Group; Milton Berlinski, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Jeff Gennette, Macy's and Bloomingdale's; and Donna Karan made a brief appearance before the evening's end.  

Along with the honoree presentations and remarks from Barbara Walters, this year's Gala also featured a moving performance by the Ronald McDonald House New York Chorus, comprised of children who are currently staying at the House. Led by Steven Reineke, music director of the New York Pops, the children were joined by their parents in singing, "I Will Always Be There," an original composition written by Dylan and Cain Hartung, former residents of the House who put their story of fighting cancer to music. The song will soon be available for purchase via iTunes.

To view images and other highlights from the event, please visit www.facebook.com/rmhnewyork.  To learn more about the House or to make a donation, please visit www.rmh-newyork.org.

About the Ronald McDonald House New York

Ronald McDonald House New York provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems.  Ronald McDonald House New York is the largest facility of its type in the world. The House can accommodate 84 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House's location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 13 major cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area.  Since its founding, more than 25,000 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House New York.  For more information, visit www.rmh-newyork.org.

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House New York