Last Thursday, March 29th, the East Side House Settlement hosted the 19th Annual Gala Preview of the 2018 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center. More than 1,000 guests from the worlds of finance, fashion, society, and philanthropy enjoyed a private viewing of the entire auto show before it officially opened to the public on March 30.

The Gala Preview included cocktails, a private dinner for benefactors, and a picturesque display of Porsche vehicles. Adding to the night’s festivities were specialty cocktails by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Johnnie Walker, as well as music by DJ Brendan Fallis.

The Gala Preview, which honored Stephen Prince, – Head, TFG Asset Management – was co-chaired by Philip L. Yang and Christopher LaSusa, with Vice Chairs including Chris J. Carrera & Emily Chen, Samuel P.C. Dangremond, Alice K. Jump, Esq., and Eric Wittenberg.

The highlight of the evening was an exciting live auction of the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which was officially unveiled at Porsche’s NY International Auto Show booth. The other packages offered at the live auction include a reservation at Rao’s, a Jasna Polana golf package, a Meadowood Napa Valley travel package and more.

The event raised more than $1 million to support East Side House Settlement, a community-based nonprofit organization providing education and social services throughout the Bronx and northern Manhattan. The event was made possible through the generosity of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) and the New York International Auto Show, as part of a proud tradition of dedicated community service.

Celebrities and VIP guests included: Ice-T and Coco, David Donohue (American Race Car Driver), Lee Goldberg, Geoffrey N. Bradfield, Mark Schienberg, Elizabeth Kennedy, Roric Tobin, Lacary Sharpe, Samuel Dangremond, Alice Jump, Claudio and Debra Del Vecchio, Coco and Eric Wittenberg, and Daniel Diaz.

About East Side House Settlement:

East Side House Settlement is a community-based nonprofit organization providing education and social services throughout the Bronx and northern Manhattan. East Side House believes that education is the key that enables all people to create economic and civic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their community. The nonprofit enriches, supplements and enhances the New York Education system and places post-secondary options within reach of students. ESH provides workforce development and career readiness training infused with technology to enable community participants to improve their economic status and lead more fulfilling lives. For more information please visit www.eastsidehouse.org.

Courtesy of BFA Griffin Lipson/Matteo Prandoni