Commit to WIN Dinner Event honoring Karen Katz & Gina Sanders

Wednesday evening, April 13, 2011

WIN’s 15th annual Commit to WIN Dinner was held at the Waldorf=Astoria hosting close to 1,200 people—the largest group in Dinner history—and raising a record-breaking $2.5 million to help WIN’s homeless families!

Karen Katz, President and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group, and Gina Sanders, President and CEO of Fairchild Fashion Group, were honored before their colleagues, WIN supporters, and notables including actors and fashion designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Grammy Award winners Patti LaBelle and Eve, fashion icon and CFDA president, Diane von Furstenberg and WWD Executive Director, Bridget Foley.

A highlight of the evening was a video featuring children currently living in WIN shelters who spoke about their lives and their dreams. Following the video, the audience was introduced to Monique—a former resident of a WIN shelter when she was a child living with her mother—who is now a personal banker, entrepreneur and mom. She said, “…to the children in the film… I want you to know that the years ahead of you are filled with possibility. This is just temporary. So, for now, study hard and be the best son or daughter you can be. WIN will do everything it can to help your family move out of the shelter and into secure homes of your own. I know that WIN really is the story of Hope. I know that… because 20 years ago, I was one of you…” Although there was not a dry eye in the house after she spoke, it was a time for celebration as it proved that the work we are doing does make a difference.

Another emotional moment came when 11-year old Joshua, a child currently living in a WIN shelter with his family, took to the stage to read his winning poem for the Peter Jennings Prize: A Child’s View. Given several different subjects to choose from, Joshua wrote a poem about how he imagines his future. Through the generosity of Random House Children’s Books, Joshua and the other finalists, Bejonne, Keyana and Lachuna each received a library of their own and a cash prize to reward their hard work and encourage them to strive for success.

And in what has become a signature of the Commit to WIN Dinners, the Balloon Challenge, to benefit WIN’s children’s services, set forth by Board Member, Karin Sadove and her husband, Steve Sadove, created a friendly competition among tables. In approximately 15 minutes, guests throughout the ballroom bought white and gold balloons raising an astonishing and record-breaking $230,000!

Adding to the beauty of the event, upon entering the ballroom, guests were met with banners artfully displayed on the balcony columns featuring black and white images of children currently living in WIN shelters, taken by photographer and jewelry designer, Monica Rich Kosann.

As a show of gratitude for their support, guests were pleasantly surprised to find a lovely frame courtesy of Monica Rich Kosann, beautifully displayed at each place setting. And finally, the evening was capped off with a one-of-a-kind gift bag, generously donated by Kate Spade including items from Chanel, Colgate-Palmolive, Frederic Fekkai, Godiva Chocolatier, HSN, by Kilian, Lord & Taylor, L’Oreal Paris, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Trish McEvoy.