Book Bash
Once again the New York Book Fair was ushered in on Friday night by the Book Bash. Over 250 guests enjoyed foods from Amy’s Bread, Ann Dedman Neal Catering, Baldor Specialty Foods, BR Guest Restaurants, Bella Luna,Dufour Pastry Kitchens , Dairyland: the Chef’s Warehouse, Donna Bell’s Bake Shop, Kefi, Michael’s Restaurant, Soutine Bakery and Whole Foods Upper West Side. David Bowler Wines and Sixpoint Brewery supplied the drinks for the evening.
Guests also had the opportunity to get first choice of the Book Fair selections. The Steve Job’s biography, cookbooks and many popular best sellers flew off the tables. We were also joined by authors Susannah Gora and Ilene Beckerman who spent the evening signing copies of their books.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Goddard Riverside After School Chorus performing two original numbers specially written for the Book Fair. The night was full of excitement through our raffle drawings where lucky guests walked away with a $1,000 Barnes and Noble gift card, gift baskets, spa certificates, party packages, and theater tickets. Other guests also won big through biding on our silent auction where the highest bidders won lunch with Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, modernist Cuisine, and Rachael Ray tickets.
If you were unable to attend and would like to make a donation click here and mark your calendars as next year’s Bash will be held on November 16, 2012.
Book Bash Committee
Chair: Betsy Dean
Judi Arnold, Kerri Benvenuto, Ann Dedman Neal, Janet Gifford, Michael Goldenberg, Barrie Kerper, Janice Murchison, Amy Myer, Leslie O’Shea, Ranse Ransom, Susan Richman, Anke Steinecke, Jon Vaughn
Book Fair Committee
Co-Chairs: Marcus Leaver, Susan Richman, Peter Workman
Ellen Archer, Ellie Berger, Cevin Bryerman, Doris Cooper, Judith Curr, Betsy Dean, Antoinette Ercolano, Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, Michael Friedman, Maureen Golden, Bruce S. Harris, Michael Jacobs, Marcus E. Leaver, Carl Lennertz, J. P. Leventhal, Josh Marwell,Amy Mintzer, Alan Mirken, Linda Palladino, Beth Puffer, Jamie Raab, Sally Richardson, Jim Schultz, Mo Stewart, Don Weisberg, Judith S. Welling
The Book Bash is the opening night celebration of the New York Book Fair, an annual fundraiser to benefit Goddard Riverside Community Center.
Twenty-five years ago a few visionaries in the publishing industry created the Book Fair to support Goddard Riverside in its efforts to help homeless individuals living on the streets of NYC. Books were donated, money was raised and the Goddard Riverside van (it was actually a Winnebago!) took to the streets to provide aid to those in need. Twenty-five years later, the Fair has grown to an iconic event and Goddard Riverside is still on the frontline fighting homelessness and is responsible for all homeless outreach in the borough of Manhattan. To date the Fair and its events have raised over $10 million and Goddard Riverside has helped over 25,000 homeless and formerly homeless individuals.
The proceeds – more than 87 cents of every dollar – support 27 programs which assist 17,600 people each year on the Upper West Side in Harlem and throughout New York City. Goddard Riverside builds community and changes lives through vital services including youth programs, college counseling, supportive housing, employment readiness, and assistance to homeless people and older adults.
