Atmosphere at
Cipriani 42nd Street
The Food Allergy Initiative's Thirteenth Annual Spring Luncheon took place on
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Cipriani 42nd Street. An estimated 550 supporters
came out for event. The fundraiser, a popular, much anticipated annual event,
raised $784,000 to date. Proceeds will benefit the Food Allergy Initiative’s
research, education and advocacy programs, all aimed at finding a cure and
raising awareness of life-threatening food allergies.
2012 Co-Chairs Abbey Braverman, Roxanne Palin and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff
were each in attendance, taking and detailing their dedicated involvement to
FAI. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff explained, "I have a husband with peanut and
tree nut allergies and two kids with tree peanut allergies. It's a wonderful,
close community and I was very happy to be involved in doing great things,
like research and awareness. I just felt this is what I needed to dedicate
myself to."
Abbey Braverman,
Roxanne Palin and
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff
Melissa Rosenbloom served as the Event Advisory Chair. Jessica Mukasey
Barkoff, Elizabeth Hecker, Jamie Lichtenberg and Lana Platin were the Goodie
Bag Co-Chairs. Liana Silverstein Backal, Nicole Lenner, Melissa Meyers and
Jennifer Fisherman Ruff were the Raffle Co-Chairs. This year’s guest speaker
was Dr. Hugh Sampson, an internationally-known researcher and Director of the
Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Lori Stokes,
Anchor, WABC-TV, was the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Lori Stokes
The luncheon began at 11:00 AM and consisted of tasty allergen-free foods.
Support levels were as follows: Tables were available for $15,000, $10,000 and
$7,500, and individual tickets were available for $2,000, $1,000, and $500.
Attendees were privy to an assortment of silent auction items: Live in the
Vineyard (Destination Experience), valued at $4,000, a Nov. 1-Nov.4 Napa trip
for 2; a Kids Package, valued at $1,365, that includes a Harmony by Karate
private session; a Simply Sports Week in June; a Family Photo Session in
Central Park with Marisa Brazzo; a Little Pim Deluxe Gift Set, etc.
An incredible afternoon was had by all.