A Benefit Dinner for New York City's Asphalt Green
Whenever my busy schedule allows, I always try to attend benefit dinners that support good causes and important organizations.
Last week, I attended one such event at New York City’s iconic Rainbow Room. It was a special dinner to celebrate the work of Asphalt Green, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals achieve good health through sports and fitness programs - in particular, bringing free swim and other fitness activities to underserved children across the city. The event also honored my friend, Andy Nussbaum, for all the work he has done during his 13-years as Asphalt Green’s Board Chairman. Andy is the husband of Darcy Miller Nussbaum, a talented illustrator, author and celebrations expert who was also one of the founding editors of Martha Stewart Weddings. The evening was a lot of fun and a huge success. 300-guests attended the affair - the largest single-day fundraiser in the organization’s history.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
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- The event’s program, place cards, and decorations were all personalized and drawn by Darcy Miller Designs. The invitations were printed by Cheree Berry Paper. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents) https://chereeberrypaper.com/ http://www.darcymillerdesigns.com/
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- The benefit dinner was held at the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of New York City’s famous Rockefeller Center. Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events planned the event. @jzevents (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Rainbow Room offers striking views of New York City. This view looks downtown at the Empire State Building on the right. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Floral designs and tables were created by Lewis Miller Designs in Manhattan. https://lewismillerdesign.com/
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- Darcy’s sports and fitness-themed illustrated cut-outs were all around – these two martial arts figures sat in front of one of the large windows.
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- Place cards featured a swimmer in honor of Andy, who started swimming at a young age and then continued competing in college as a varsity swimmer and water polo player. Today, he swims with Asphalt Green’s adult swim team.
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- Dinner included a lovely menu – ricotta and almond salad, roasted black cod with miso glaze or roasted beef tenderloin, and for dessert – a choice of New York cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake or a piece of Meyer lemon tart. Candy bars decorated with Darcy’s art work and featured swimming pool and soccer field wrappers made nice favors for guests. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Here I am with Darcy’s parents, Madge and Martin. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Andy, Darcy and their three daughters – Daisy, Ella, and Pippa – posed for this fun photo. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Rowdy Gaines, a three-time Olympic gold medalist is pictured here with Asphalt Green Board Co-Chair, Caroline Hriber. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- In this photo: Dean Somer, Jennifer Sirchio, Craig Charlson, Maggy Siegel, Sarah Bennett, David Ludwig, Jenn Coccia, and David Rodriguez. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Here is a sweet snapshot of Pippa and Daisy. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Soccer player figures decorated this window sill. During Andy’s tenure, he headed several of Asphalt Green’s big achievements, including opening a second location downtown in Battery Park City, organizing more activities throughout the city’s public school system, and serving 50-thousand New Yorkers each year who participate in free community sports and fitness programs.
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- Daisy, Pippa and Ella introduced me to the audience. I was asked to celebrate and introduce Andy as the guest of honor. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Here is Andy listening to my introduction, which included a humorous rundown of the number of miles he has swum over the years – more than 9750-miles at Asphalt Green alone! (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- This is Lia Neal, a scholarship athlete who swam on the Asphalt Green’s Swim Team who went on to win a bronze medal at the London Olympics. She also won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Games. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Kevin Sharkey and I took this fun snapshot at the event’s photo booth. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Lia, Andy and Rowdy stop for a picture. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- Music was provided by Crooner Classics from Elan Artists. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- And here I am with Andy, Darcy, Daisy, Ella and Pippa, and the life-sized swimmer figures. Asphalt Green has helped more than 30-thousand kids learn to swim through its free Waterproofing program. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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- It was a wonderful event benefitting a great cause – assisting individuals of all ages remain healthy through sports and fitness activities. (Photo by Scott Rudd @scottruddevents)
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