By Hastings Hill | Communications & Membership Manager
St. George’s Society of New York hosted our annual English Ball at The Pierre on Tuesday 26th October, representing a jubilant return to in-person events after having to cancel last year’s gala. The threat of the first Nor’easter of the winter could not dampen the enthusiasm of our community. The evening raised over $600,000 for our charitable programs with 200 guests celebrating the achievements of our 2021 honorees: Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, Paula Kerr-Jarrett, noted Philanthropist and Social Entrepreneur, and John Shannon, former Almoner of SGSNY. They received the Medal of Honor, Commonwealth Award and Order of St. George’s Society, respectively.
The dinner opened with loyal toasts led by Danny Wegman, Chairman of Wegman’s Food Markets and Hannah Young, Acting British Consul General in New York. President Frank E. Morgan II outlined the Society’s history of service including our emergency PPE and supply deliveries during the height of last year’s lockdown. He recognized our 2020 honorees: Gregory C. Case, CEO of Aon recipient of The Duke of Gloucester Lifetime Achievement Award, and the late William R. Miller CBE KStJ recipient of the Medal of Honor.
In addition to the award presentations, Hugh Hildesley MBE conducted the “Fund-A-Scholar” Pledge Drive and a live auction featuring luxury vacation packages to the UK and Italy courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels, Johnny Walker Princes Street, Hamilton & Inches and United Airlines. Both activities raised over $120,000 for SGSNY’s Scholarship Program serving final-year students at CUNY universities across NYC’s five boroughs. Established in 2008, the program aims to help undergraduate students in their final year complete their degrees and launch their careers. SGSNY scholars boast a 98% graduation rate—compared the US average of 45%—with 70% women and 98% Black or people of color.
Preceding the auction, Kerr-Jarrett gave words of encouragement to SGSNY’s scholars, “You can be anything. Set your goals high. You have the support of people like this in the room who are always willing to step up to the plate and who are limitless in their generosity. So go for it, we’re backing you and be the best that you can be.“
“It was wonderful to be back in person at this year’s gala. Our community is passionate about supporting future leaders through our scholarship program” said Clare Risman, Executive Director SGSNY. “We know the need is great, and our ambition is to support 100 CUNY scholars annually by 2028, the 20th anniversary of the program.”
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