Last year, we had the pleasure of working with Christodora (click to view their new website) and discussed on this blog “making a positive impact on the world means a great deal to us here at Ifill Events, specifically when it involves children and education.” This year, we were proud to be back to host the 2014 “Christodora Campfire” Gala Dinner and Auction at the Roosevelt Hotel Wednesday, October 29, 2014. It was another great night and we are already looking forward to next year.
The planning this year was more intense as we had to secure a new venue since they had grown out of the J.W. Marriott Essex House space. After about 1.5 months of proposals, site visits and board approval, we finally landed on the Roosevelt Hotel. While not on the main non-profit circuit, the Roosevelt Hotel is simply a hidden gem located a few blocks away from Grand Central Station. With a few different event spaces for galas, meeting and other events, the staff is friendly and the space, versatile.
In addition to finding a new venue, Ifill Events was tasked with securing new auction software as well. Last year, we worked with BidPal and had our guests use devises to bid on silent auction items and donate to Christodora. This made things very easy as one did not have to idle by a clipboard in order to keep an eye on the packages they wanted. After a search of five (5) companies we came back to BidPal as they were very kind with discounting their price. However, this year the guests used their own cell phones instead of BidPal devices. Ifill Events employees were on-hand with iPads to help those who did not have smartphones.
Christodora’s legacy of community service reaches as far back 1897 and continues to this day to provide environmental, educational and developmental growth to New York City’s urban youth. Through stimulating educational and challenging outdoor programs, the children are inspired to reach their highest potential. Christodora’s mission to assist others in reaching their goals often galvanizes the return of students after the program has ended, even with their own children.
This was evident on Wednesday, October 29th in all of the wonderful alumni honorees that worked with us last night to ensure that the success of the event was far more than monetary. Special guest, Adam Gopnik who is a book author and writer for The New Yorker, gave a wonderful talk about nature and education. Again, we look forward to possibility of working with them next year as well as other organizations doing great work with children.
