On
Wednesday, June 10, 2009, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
held its 2009 Gala at the Central Park Zoo in New York. This
year's gala celebrated the opening of the new Allison Maher Stern
Snow Leopard Exhibit at the Central Park Zoo and the global initiatives
of WCS, which operates in more than 60 countries worldwide. Cocktails
around the sea lion pool and snow leopard exhibit followed by a sit-down
dinner for approximately 600 guests under a tent in the Central Park
Zoo's main courtyard. Guests attending the gala had a sneak
preview of the snow leopard exhibit before it opened to the public
on July 11th. The evening raised $1.8 million dollars. Allison
Maher Stern and
Leonard Stern were the Gala co-chairs.
Famed event designer, Preston Bailey, converted the zoo into a tropical
fantasy under a tent festooned with large branches and leaves and tables
decorated in a palate of green with large containers of “elephant” leaves
and other plant and natural elements. Great Performances, one
of the country's leading caterers, designed a “100-mile” menu
featuring organic and locally grown foods from nearby farms and provided
food and beverage for both the gala and after-party.
The 2009 Gala WCS-CPZ was graciously underwritten by Judith
Leiber. Allison Stern and many members of the
benefit committee created a jeweled menagerie for the evening, each
carrying a Judith Leiber animal shaped minaudiere. Each
lady selected a sparkling animal that revealed her personality and
added even more glamour to the night.
The 2009 Gala WCS-CPZ benefit committee included Jamee & Peter
Gregory, Muffie & Sherrell Aston, Cornelia & Martin Bregman,
Caroline Hirsch & Andrew Fox, Cynthia & Dan Lufkin, Daissy & Paul
Kanavos, Georgette Mosbacher, Ann & Thomas Unterberg, Adrienne & Gigi
Vittadini.
The after-party for 600 of WCS's younger supporters was chaired
by Mary Dailey Pattee, Elizabeth Belfer and Diana Townsend-Butterworth.
Other guests in attendance included: Dr. George Schaller, Ambassador
for Wildlife ; Marcia & Richard Mishaan, Frank Stella, Michael
Gross, Somers Farkas, Stephanie Krieger, Gillian & Sylvester Miniter,
Harriet & Ronald Weintraub, Mia & Sheldon Solow, Jane Alexander,
Christine & Carl Bernstein, Pamela Fiori, Debbie Bancroft, Emily
Ford & Harold Ford, Jr., and Shari & Ed Rollins to name but
a few.
