Partnership With Children celebrated its one-hundred-year anniversary with a Gala at the historic Pierre Hotel. The event honored the Chief Executive Officer of CIT, Jeffrey M. Peek. CIT, a leading global commercial finance company, is also also celebrating its one-hundred-year anniversary this year. And in a perfect parallel, Big Sisters (the original charity which is now known as Partnership With Children) was co-founded by Blanche Ittelson, the wife of the founder of CIT, Henry Ittelson.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer
Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco

The Centennial mood was set at the portico; a gold upholstered horse-drawn carriage greeted the evening-wear clad guests at the door of the hotel. The mood was further enhanced by some of the ladies who were adorned in turn-of-the-century evening wear (Elizabeth T. Peek, Beatrice Broadwater, Leigh Miler, Michelle Sidrane and Pat Lovejoy among others [see photos below]). But everyone, regardless of the decade of their dress style, was given a chance to don a top hat and feather boa and have a photo taken in turn-of-the-century style.

Olivia Cavallo (with her mother Barbara Cavallo) gives a high five to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco	Isiah Hall, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Luke Padilla Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco

Partnership with Children has a beautiful name; the most beautiful part being the love shown in the word "with." The Partnership works with all aspects of the children's lives, not just focusing on their academic development, but on all aspects of their lives so as to help each child become a functioning happy member of society. There were four children at the Gala and everyone who entered was seemed to be immediately drawn to them. There were two handsome tuxedoed young men from the Partnership Program: Luke Padilla (a middle school student) and Isiah Hall who will receive his MBA this spring. (Both Luke and Isaiah spoke to the group during dinner). Also present was a beautiful young girl, Olivia Cavallo, who was clad in a white silk traditional young girl's party dress. And last, but certainly not least, was Hillary Peek, the charming (and also beautiful) college-aged daughter of the honoree, Jeffrey T. Peek, and his ball-chairwomen wife, Elizabeth T. Peek.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg attended the cocktail party and gave a quick speech telling the crowd that April 15, 2008 was officially Partnership With Children Day. He then thanked the evening's honoree, Jeffrey M. Peek, and CIT for being a perfect example of a good corporate citizen. He also thanked everyone for coming out to support such a noble cause.

CIT CEO and Ann Vanderbilt Award for Achievement Honoree Jeffrey M. Peek
Photo Credit Clint Spaulding

The guests then entered the dining room for dinner. Michele Sidrane, Executive Director of Partnership with Children, then presented Jeffrey M. Peek with the Ann Vanderbilt Award for Achievement in recognition of his contributions to Partnership With Children. Mr. Peek then spoke to the crowd, acknowledging that it was a double birthday, but stating that he could do more good for the Partnership by attempting to raise money then by attempting to sing. He then told the guests how thrilled he was to be there, surrounded by so many friends and family members and that he would be happy to, "Lock the doors and stay here all night."

Valerie Smaldone of WLTW-FM then led the live auction, which included sponsorships for Partnership with Children School Newspaper Group and a group of exotic and luxurious vacation packages. Between the tickets sales, sponsorships and both live and silent auctions, the Gala was able to raise over $1,000,000 for the Partnership! Bravo for a beautiful night in support of a most worthy cause!

The Centennial Ball Chairs were Beatrice Broadwater, Thong Nguyen, Elizabeth T. Peek, and the Founders Committee includes Anthony Ittleson and Wendy Vanderbilt. Auction co-chairs were Susan Nicholson and Cecilia Warner.

For more information about the Partnership With Children, log onto: partnershipwithchildrennyc.org

Cocktail Party
Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco


Michelle Sidrane, Elizabeth T. Peek and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco

Isiah Hall, Luke Padilla, Barbara Cavallo,
Michelle Sidrane and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco

Leslie Rahl and Dr. Ruth Westheimer Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco	Beatrice Broadwater, Amy Norman and Michelle Sidrane Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco
Leigh and Lyden Miller Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco	Pat and Jesse Lovejoy Photo Credit Clint Spaulding
Beatrice Broadwater, Thong Nguyen and Amna Naseer Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco	Gillian and Sylvester Miniter Photo Credit Belkis Carrasco

Jay Diamond and Alexandra Lebenthal Photo Credit Clint Spaulding	Joanne de Guardiola (L) Photo Credit Clint Spaulding
Ken and Eileen Grossman Photo Credit Clint Spaulding	Chandler and H. Anthony Ittleson Photo Credit Clint Spaulding

Coco and Ari Kopelman Photo Credit Clint Spaulding	Maureen Footer Photo Credit Clint Spaulding

After Dinner Dancing
Photo Credit Clint Spaulding