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[October 20 - New York,
NY] A last minute guest to Casita Maria
Center for Arts and Education annual
Fiesta gala, Mayor Eric Adams, addressed
The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom, “Tonight
is an important event. I love this city.
It’s not because of the buildings, or
the infrastructure. It is because of the
people. New York is made up of the
greatest people on the globe. I like to
say there’s two types of Americans -
those who live in New York, and those
who wish they could live in New York.
But what’s important is how we give
back, and that is what Casita Maria is
doing with the proceeds shared today for
a very significant place in the city—the
South Bronx. Often it’s identified with
the highest number of crimes and medical
issues in the city, but it’s really the
highest in spirit and energy among those
who want to prosper but haven’t been
given the opportunity to do so. Your
donations give that opportunity.
The annual celebration,
chaired by Jacqueline Weld Drake and
Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, honored
philanthropist Kamie Lightburn and
health visionary Tina Vidal-Duart.
Barbara Tober received the special
Jacqueline Weld Drake Living Legend
Award for service to the community.
Honoree Kamie Lightburn
shared, “Casita Maria elevates these
families, communities, through arts,
culture, and education - something I
love.” Philanthropist, entrepreneur, and
community leader, Lightburn’s work
supports education, public health, and
cultural programs across New York City.
Tina Vidal-Duart was recognized for her
work in providing medical and disaster
relief services, assisting the homeless,
as well as advancing education and
public initiatives. She added, “Casita
Maria has, for generations, transformed
lives through art and education. For
over a century, they have been the
cornerstone of opportunity, culture, and
hope for the Hispanic community. A wise
woman told me that children are our
greatest asset, and that woman was
Jackie Weld.
The evening also marked
the presentation of the Jacqueline Weld
Drake Living Legend Award. “It was my
hope that the award would continue to
recognize individuals who inspire others
through their work and generosity,” said
board chair Jacqueline Weld Drake. “This
year, it will be presented to Barbara
Tober, who is a marvel of energy. I hold
dear the image of Barbara and her
beloved Donald in this very room,
dancing the night away. Barbara, always
beautiful and graceful—at age
ninety-one, she remains ever steadfast
and practical. Barbara is who I want to
be when I grow up.” Barbara Tober
reflected, “Jackie brought people
together from every field—writers,
artists, musicians—and made something
extraordinary happen. Casita Maria is
one of those places that carries that
same spirit. It’s a huge success, and
something that thousands of young people
depend upon for their growing and
learning years. We are all here because
we believe in that mission and in what
Casita Maria continues to do for the
city.”
Executive Director Felix
Urrutia welcomed guests alongside
trustee Sissi Fleitas. Said she,
“Tonight we celebrate Casita Maria’s
91st anniversary. Every year, this event
raises the funds that keep our programs
going and allow us to bring art and
opportunity to children and families in
the South Bronx.” Among the 500 guests
was Mary Snow’s ballroom-width table,
filled with friends that led the charge
to the dance floor. Continued Fleitas,
“It wouldn’t be a Casita Maria Fiesta
without music and dancing!” Guests rose
to the occasion, bidding
enthusiastically, and raising the
rafters until midnight.
Attending were also the
Casita Maria Board of Directors and
Trustees
Martha Bograd, George Corton, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Michèle
Gerber-Klein, Alberto Mariaca, Gautam Patel, and Jean Shafiroff.
Among the guests was Bronx artist August Quinn, who stood alongside
proud parents Topper Quinn and Bianca Pratt-Simon as his mural was
displayed as part of the decor for the Plaza Ballroom. Other
distinguished attendees included Steven Aronson, Muffie Potter Aston,
Yanna Avis, Peter Bacanovic, David Beer, Cece and Lee Black, Mercedes
Bograd, Janna Bullock, Halim Bulos, Sharon B
Bush, Lord and Lady
Cavendish, Olivia Tournay Flatto, Rick
Frieberg and Francine LeFrak, Lee Fryd,
Mark Gilbertson, Lucia Hwong Gordon,
Susan Gutfreund, Mai Hallingby, Sylvia
Hemingway, Sharon Hoge, Susan Jaffe,
Natalia and Peter Kanavos, Sophia
Kanavos, Eleanora Kennedy, Karen Klopp,
Margo Langenberg, Jeanne Lawrence,
Harrison LeFrak, William Ivey Long,
Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Ellie Manko,
Christopher Mason, Ann Nitze, Carlos
Picon, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, Joyce
Ravid and Lionel Tiger, Mary Snow,
Consuelo Vanderbilt, Christopher
Walling, Sabrina Wirth, and Victoria
Wyman.
Casita Maria is a youth,
family and community serving arts,
culture and education organization in
the Hunts Point/Longwood section of the
South Bronx. We were established in East
Harlem in 1934 by Claire and Elizabeth
Sullivan and Sister Mary Imelda who
observed waves of Spanish-speaking
people pouring in from Puerto Rico in
need of essential services. While
settlement houses were in place to
address the needs of the poor, this
population was made up of predominantly
Jewish, Irish, and Italian immigrants.
Seeing the disparity and isolation of
the newly arriving Spanish-speaking
community, Claire, Elizabeth, and Sister
Mary provided critical nutrition,
housing, childcare, and educational
support. What they could not know at the
time was that they were championing
social justice long before the term was
coined for what would become one of
America’s most historically marginalized
groups. For 90 years, Casita Maria has
expanded its population base to serve
all people of color and continues to
serve as an oasis, safe haven, and
gathering place for hope and enrichment
through arts, culture, education, and
recreation. In 2009, Casita Maria
inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility
encompassing performance spaces,
exhibition gallery, dance and music
studios, and more on its Simpson Street
campus. This 90,000 square foot,
six-story educational and cultural
facility in collaboration with the
Department of Education has enabled
Casita Maria to expand its scope and
capacities as a beacon of excellence. |