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Hundreds gathered at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan to celebrate the 14th annual ľ��ֱ��’s Aid Benefit. The event, which highlighted the agency’s incredible youth, staff, and supporters, featured inspiring speeches, a captivating musical performance, and boundless generosity.

This year, the Benefit honored an important advocate of ľ��ֱ��’s Aid, Boston Consulting Group. The event raised $1.8 million for our programs, with an additive gift of $150,000 from the Board of Trustees in honor of Phoebe C. Boyer's tenth anniversary as President and CEO.

“We are here tonight because we share the belief that the greatest marker of our success as a society is the well-being of our children – not just the ones we raise in our own homes – every child in our community,” President and CEO Phoebe C. Boyer said during her remarks. “With 100 programs at 40 sites across the five boroughs, ľ��ֱ��’s Aid helps families experiencing poverty in New York City to succeed and thrive.”

The evening began with a performance by the Bucket Heads. Comprised of students from Community School 211 in the Bronx, the drummers dazzled the nearly 400-person crowd.

Three of our alumni, Frances Lopez, Felipe Ayala, and Rich Nice, shared how growing up with ľ��ֱ��’s Aid helped shape them into successful and compassionate members of their communities.

Our youth co-hosts, Glenniqua Hazel and Ibrahim Djoumassi, shared how ľ��ֱ��’s Aid staff members and services allowed them to build confidence, overcome challenges, and prepare for a successful future.

“One of my most memorable experiences was a business literacy course that gave me my first bank account,” Glenniqua told the crowd. “It showed me that ľ��ֱ��’s Aid believed in my future, and that belief has stayed with me.”

The evening’s décor evoked the spirit of a pep rally. The night celebrated the vital role that every member of the ľ��ֱ��’s Aid community plays in achieving shared successes — from children and families to coaches, mentors, and donors.

Our keynote speaker, Regina Rivera, told her story of perseverance. When both of her parents passed away, she struggled to find a stable home and navigate life as a legally blind young person. After living in a shelter and several foster home placements, ľ��ֱ��’s Aid connected her with a caring adult who would support and guide her through adulthood. The audience was inspired by her grit and positive outlook on life.

“I’m like a seed packet that you forgot in your cupboard,” she said. “When I finally got planted and nurtured, I grew and started thriving. Without ľ��ֱ��’s Aid, I would just be surviving.”

We are incredibly grateful to our benefit committee and to our committee chairs for their hard work and leadership. The Benefit Committee chairs were: Leslie and Ashish Bhutani; Beth and Ira Leventhal; and Suzanne Waltman and Martin Friedman. The Benefit Committee was comprised of: Patricio Barnuevo; Phoebe Boyer and Todd Snyder; Ivan Giraud; Claire and Geoff Hauck; Nargis Hilal; Yasmeen Mock; Erica Jade Mullen; Isabella Prugue; Kevin Reda; Eren Rosenfeld and Jack Dunne; Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth; Lisa Timmel and David Markus; and Gaby Vogel. 

The 2024 Benefit was sponsored at the Ambassador level by Leslie and Ashish Bhutani; and Coleman Family Ventures; at the Champion level by Mark Gallogly and Lise Strickler; and at the Hero level by; Judy and Jamie Dimon; Beth and Ira Leventhal; Melkus Family Foundation; Jill and Brian Olson; Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth; Amy and Charlie Scharf; and Suzanne Waltman and Martin Friedman.

Photographs from the 2024 ľ��ֱ��’s Aid Benefit are available here.