2006 Annual Holiday Charity Luncheon: A Successful and Fun Event for All

The Annual SAPI Holiday Charity Luncheon was held on December 5th at the Tribeca Grill (owned by world famous actor Robert De Niro) in New York City. The event was well attended by approximately 75 SAPI members and their guests.

The Luncheon was preceded by an open bar cocktail hour during which everyone was able to greet guests and mingle. The lunch menu consisted of an arugula and buffalo mozzarella salad with roasted sweet red and yellow peppers and grilled eggplant. Guests had a choice of entrée that included the restaurant’s signature Drew’s grilled salmon with lemon and thyme and an arugula and Tuscan white bean salad or herb roasted free-range chicken with caramelized root vegetables, red pearl onions and sweet mustard sauce. Dessert included plates of Tribeca’s fabulous, homemade cookies and biscotti. As usual, the food was spectacular!

Each year as part of the Luncheon, SAPI raffles off bottles of wine and liquor to raise money for a specific charity. The NPTA Alliance donated the prizes allowing SAPI to raise close to $1,300 for the American Red Cross. As always, the generosity of the attendees is greatly appreciated.

Two employees of the American Red Cross attended the event: Sonia Martinez, the Manhattan Director and Olivier Szlos, Senior Director of Community Development. Szlos spoke for several minutes to update attendees on recent activities and accomplishments of the American Red Cross. One of the most interesting facts brought to light by Szlos is the fact that 95 percent of the charity’s staff is comprised of volunteers. Szlos explained how the American Red Cross is put into action right here in the U.S. and urged all present to consider making a volunteer commitment—in addition to a financial donation—to the American Red Cross.

Szlos also explained the importance of having a “go bag” and urged attendees to go online to the American Red Cross web site to learn more about “go bags” and disaster preparedness.

Following the presentation by the American Red Cross, SAPI Chair, Al Walden and NPTA President, Bill Frohlich conducted the charity raffle with the help of  Jack Zanzig of Finch Paper who drew the names for each prize.

UPCOMING SAPI EVENTS:

SAPI/AF&PA Luncheon
April 2007
Waldorf=Astoria, NYC

SAPI Golf Outing
Spring 2007
Scotch Plains, NJ