Fall Gala

Save the Date!  Monday, October 29, at Capitale, honoring Michael Jacobs of ABRAMS Inc.

On November 7, 2011, at 583 Park Avenue, 550 guests joined us in honoring Carolyn Reidy, President and CEO of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

A. J. Jacobs was the MC of the soiree, based on the theme, “Join the Journey.”  The program began with youth from Goddard Riverside’s youth program singing a parody of the “Reidy Bunch.”  The speakers included publishing and book industry giants Susan Maldow/Scribner; Peter Workman/Workman Publishing Company; Steve Rubin/Henry Holt; and Len Reggio/Barnes and Noble.  Authors also came out to honor Carolyn with  Joe Kanon and Mary Higgins Clark giving heartfelt remarks from the podium, and Hillary Clinton and Dr. Oz sending their recognition via video.

The basic reason for the gala–to support the programs of Goddard Riverside– was always front and center. Peter Workman used the metaphor of imprints to explain Goddard Riverside’s 27 programs and introduced a newly created video.  Executive Director Stephan Russo praised the book world for its tremendous support.  He added, “It is not surprising that those in the book world who treasure and bring to life stories of the many journeys that shape our culture, would connect so deeply to our cause.” One of the Goddard Riverside stories was told by Muhammed Sumbundu, a Options alum, currently studying at Buffalo State.

The Gala kicks off Goddard Riverside’s New York Book Fair season which began, 25 years ago, as a book sale for its homeless program. A signature charitable project of the publishing industry, that book sale has grown into a Gala, a Book Bash, a two-day book sale, and a series of Meet-the-Author Dinners.

Past honorees include: Peter Workman, President Workman Publishing; Chip Gibson, President and Publisher Random House Children’s Books; J.P. Leventhal, Publisher & Founder Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers; Josh Marwell, President of Sales HarperCollins; and Clyde Anderson, CEO of Books-A-Million.

There is still time to honor Carolyn by making a donation. 

(Right column photos, starting at top: 2011 Gala Invitation; Carohyn and Stephen Reidy; Goddard Riverside After School Youth perfoming at event;Stephan Russo, Carolyn Reidy,Mary Higgins Clark and Muhammed Sumbundu)