Last night, the 10th Annual New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala was all about making it happen, from the monstrous sign created from Post-it notes welcoming guests to the pouring of emotions from those involved in the charity. “It’s just important for anyone who has any visibility that can lend that to a good cause,” noted Paulina Porizkova, showing off a design from the brand-new Ann Taylor. “If you’ve had the fortune of being where we are, you want to pay back.” That being said, Paulina needs a bit of help in the charity department. “I really tried to get actively involved by doing the work. I want to go and help old people in nursing homes. Kids are cute so they get a lot of attention, animals are cute. I want to go and do fun stuff with them in an old-age home, but I can’t get to do it! I’ve gone through all different channels and tried to offer my services as a volunteer.” You heard it here. Elderly charities? Call Paulina.
But back to the kids. Selita Ebanks, in J. Mendel, was celebrating her night as vice chair. “It felt like this day was never going to come! I’ve just been trying to focus on raising money, getting a lot of people to come out. I know what they do for the kids of New York City, so I’m happy to be here.” After spending time in a foster home, she knows the hardships of children in the system, and expressed her interest in adopting a child in the future.
And Selita wasn’t the only one with a desire to spend time with children. Jessica White just created the Angel Wings Foundation, which helps women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse. Joy Bryant, in Missoni, who spends time mentoring children in the Stoked organization, also knows just what charities and organizations can give to those in need. “I was in a program growing up called A Better Chance and it allowed me to get a scholarship to a boarding school, go to college. To be supported by an organization like this is a wonderful thing. It lets kids see they may not have ‘the perfect life,’ but there are people out there in the world who give a damn and care about them.”
Over dinner, while Anderson Cooper hosted an awards ceremony to honor Mary J. Blige and Ne-Yo put on a massive performance, Karolina Kurkova seemed to be channeling her Angel friend Heidi Klum, as she twirled about in her body-hugging red dress, showing off the adorable baby bump that’s growing, and Selita mused on her goals. “I want to start going into the whole program itself and mentoring young people or just having talks with them, encouraging them. Where they’re from doesn’t have to represent where they’re going.”
