ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE
HONORING:
COACH, INC.
WENDY KEYS
MARTIN CHAVEZ, CIO, GOLDMAN SACHS
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WHAT: Friends of the High Line hosted its annual Spring Benefit on Monday, May 23, 2016, honoring Wendy Keys, R. Martin Chavez, and Coach, Inc., for their support of the High Line. The event raised a record amount of more than $3.6 million.
The 2016 High Line Spring Benefit helps ensure that the High Line will have the resources it needs to ensure a thriving future. Each year, the Spring Benefit raises a quarter of the funds necessary to maintain and operate the High Line.
Cocktails for the Spring Benefit were held at 6:30 P.M. on the Spur at 30th Street and 10th Avenue—the first event on this part of the High Line, on which construction will begin in early 2017. The Spur is the last remaining section of the High Line to be rebuilt. Guests then walked to The Waterfront, 241 11th Ave., where the dinner began at 8:00 PM.
Friends of the High Line honored Wendy Keys who, along with her late husband, Donald Pels, is one of the High Line’s first and most influential supporters; R. Martin Chavez of Goldman Sachs, who has built a community of support for Friends of the High Line’s public programs, creating opportunities for thousands of teens; and Coach, Inc., a key partner in elevating the park as a model of urban space.
WHO: Robert Hammond Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the High Line, was joined at the event by honorees Wendy Keys, R. Martin Chavez, and representatives from Coach, Inc. Notable guests included Chloe Grace Moretz,Julia Koch, Blythe Danner, Catie Marron, Stefano Tonchi, Anna Sui, Jennifer Allan Soros, Jane Lauder, Amanda Burden, John and Christy Mack, Bill and Karen Ackman, Averell and Gigi Mortimer, and Adam Lippes.
EVENT DETAILS: High Line Spring Benefit décor was by Bronson Van Wyck of Van Wyck & Van Wyck, who used High Line construction materials as inspiration and wrapped the entire interior of the former Tunnel nightclub with thousands of yards of semi-transparent construction plastic; tables were studded with candles. Catering was by Bite. Lighting and Sound were by L&M Sound & Light.
ABOUT THE HIGH LINE AND FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE
The High Line is an historic elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition. It is now the non-profit conservancy working with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make sure the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space for all visitors to enjoy. In addition to overseeing maintenance, operations, and public programming for the park, Friends of the High Line works to raise the essential private funds to support 98% of the park’s annual operating budget. For further information, please visit www.thehighline.org.
