2013
03/18/2013 - The Perlman Music Program Cocktails, Dinner and a Chamber Music Concert in Palm Beach
03/15/2013 - Asia Week New York Kick-off Reception at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum,
03/12/2013 - Third Annual Fountain House Associates Spring Breakfast: “Between The Sheets”
03/05/2013 - NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENTER’S FACES GALA HONORING LEON CHARNEY RAISED $4.5 MILLION
02/23/2013 - "I Have A Voice" fundraiser for Gigi's PLAYHOUSE
02/23/2013 - Eleventh Annual “Thanksgiving in February” Feeds over 500 of New York’s Needy
02/21/2013 - The French Heritage Society's Annual Palm Beach Gala Dinner
02/21/2013 - 24th Annual Gala of Heart & Soul Charitable Fund Auction at Christie’s
02/21/2013 - Eva Longoria Hosts Benefit for “Food Chains” Documentary - Exposes Exploitation in Am’s Farm Labor
02/13/2013 - Verdura hosts a fundraiser for“The Michael Feinstein American Songbook Initiative”
02/13/2013 - Lost and Found: The Pinajian Discovery, a benefit preview for the Fund for Armenian Relief
02/08/2013 - 56th Annual Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach
02/07/2013 - Lost and Found: The Pinajian Discovery benefit preview for the Fund for Armenian Relief
02/06/2013 - All Star Orchestra’s Preview Screening of their New Classical Music and On-line Education Television
01/29/2013 - Urban Greenwalk
01/23/2013 - The Perlman Music Program Fourth Charity Wine Auction
01/20/2013 - Budapest Festival Orchestra
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Add your Article

UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison
07/09/2010 - By New York, NY

UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison

As I walked out of the Mandarin Oriental, I looked at the notes I scribbled down during the UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison, and the famous philanthropy quote by Sir Winston Churchill

"We make a living but what we get but we make a life by what we give." The quote seemed tailored to Harrison who is the chairman of Financo Inc., a New York-based investment banking firm specializing in providing merger and acquisition, financial restructuring and other financial advisory services globally to the retail, apparel and other merchandising and consumer good companies. But Harrison hasn't kept busy since 1971 just by buttoning up business deals, he's also spent much of his life giving back to those in need. From being one of the founders of the UJA's CEO Fashion Forum to serving on several boards and committees, Harrison's life is one his family, friends and colleagues say they admire.

"Gil is a very well-respected and a very well-liked advisor in the apparel, footwear and retail industries," Ira Dansky, General Counsel of Jones Apparel said. "He's very deserving of this honor." Jimmy Rosenfeld, President of Fishman and Tobin, Inc., said he's impressed by all Harrison has done to make a difference. "He's a great leader in our industry and in the Jewish community." Bernard Aidan, the CEO of Carolina Molina said he was honored to celebrate the achievements of his friend. "Every time I can support Gil, I do it with all of my heart."

And at the heart of Harrison's life you'll find his wife, children and grandchildren. While I've attended hundreds of charity events, I've never seen an honoree have his grandchildren take the stage during a thank you speech. It was without a doubt, my favorite moment of the night. "G" as they call him may have left big shoes to fill; but, his grandchildren say they're armed with advice to help them leave their own footprints in the world. "He said to donate money to people, but money isn't the only thing you can do. You can give clothes and toys," 11-year-old Teddy Kaplan said. "I just donated camp stuff!" 8-year-old Caroline Kaplan added. "It's good being here, honoring him," 5-year-old Jerry Laschter told me. And while their grandfather holds many titles, they told me their favorite one: "We call him the human garbage can," Teddy said. "When we don't finish our food, he gobbles it up!" Caroline added.

When I got home I went through the messages people placed in the journal for Harrison. There were ads from fashion icons, department stores, family members and friends. And on the last page, I saw it. That famous quote by Sir Winston Churchill. "We make a living but what we get but we make a life by what we give." I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Harrison has given his community a style to emulate.

Photos: Michael Priest Photography

Story by JA.


Photo Gallery

Click here for more pictures and a slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.

Slideshow »



 




Charity Events - CharityHappenings.org - Charity Events, Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved