Leaders from the Construction, Development, and Real Estate Industries Gather at St. Mary’s Largest Fundraiser to Help New York’s Sickest Children
Top executives and leaders from the real estate, construction, and development industries in the metropolitan New York area gathered at Gotham Hall on Tuesday, November 27th for St. Mary’s Annual Tribute Dinner, honoring Bradley P. Gerla, EVP of CBRE. The signature event celebrated St. Mary’s Kids and was hosted by TV personality Donny Deutsch. The event raised over $700,000 to support the essential programs and services that St. Mary’s provides to 2,000 children and their families each day.
Brad is a prominent individual with a highly regarded corporate outreach. He is widely regarded as one of New York’s premier leasing professionals. As a leader in the commercial real estate world for more than three decades, he is consistently sought out by businesses, landlords and civic leaders to advise them on current and future real estate requirements.
“St. Mary’s greatly appreciates the support and friendship of Brad P. Gerla, a true champion for our children,” remarked Dr. Edwin Simpser, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “Funds raised through this year’s Tribute Dinner will help us provide hope and healing to New York’s sickest children and their families. These philanthropic dollars allow us to provide specialized support and innovative programs.”
Dr. Simpser’s appreciation was reaffirmed later that evening through the moving words of a grateful patient family who has benefitted from St. Mary’s new Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program (Locomotor Training). At just 11 months old, Luke developed a blood clot on his spinal cord — a rare condition affecting roughly 30 kids in the entire world. Luke was paralyzed from the waist down and couldn’t breathe on his own. After a few months of therapy at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, Luke has begun daily rehabilitation sessions to improve his mobility and is making incredible progress. His mother Lisa shared his incredible journey and how St. Mary’s has changed their lives.
Other highlights of the evening included “A Beautiful Revue” featuring Tapestry, Every Voice Children’s Choir and our very own and very talented, St. Mary’s Kids!
The event was co-chaired by St. Mary’s Board Directors, Jeffrey Levine of Douglaston Development / Levine Builders, Vincent Riso of the Briarwood Organization. Additional committee members included Stuart Acker, John Cahill, Brian Capo, Paul Dorsi, Howard Fiddle, Joseph Gallitto, Jennifer Gerla, Michael Gerla, Richard Gilden, Bruce Hodges, Jr., Cyrus Izzo, Mark Kleinknecht, Sinclair Li, William Lerner, Camille McGratty, David Peretz, Jeffrey Platte, Zachary Pomerantz, Gary Segal, Roger Silverstein, Steven Squitieri, Stephen Winter and Jonathan Yormak.
St. Mary’s would like to thank all of the event’s generous sponsors, including Leading Sponsor, Cindy and Tod Johnson. Visionary Sponsors were Donny Deutsch; DJ Ambulette; and Vincent L. Riso. Hero Sponsors were Debbie & Stuart Acker; Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP / Richard & Lorraine Gilden
