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Start spreading the news: at the New Yorker for New York City Gala at the Waldorf=Astoria, the Citizens Committee for New York City raised $1.3 million for community improvement in the city that never sleeps. Mayor David Dinkins, Betsy Gotbaum, Charlie Rose, and Renee Fleming presented awards to several passionate champions of the city’s neighborhoods: Amanda M. Burden, Peter Gelb, Karen Cohen, Jack O’Kelley III, Bill Cunningham, and Karen Washington walked away with various trophies to signify their contributions in areas like public service, philanthropy, city planning, fashion photography, and running the Metropolitan Opera.
Founding chair Osborn Elliott, turning Adam Smith’s invisible hand on its ear, reminded the distinguished congregation of the power of the individual to effect positive change by putting the public good above personal interest. Mayor Bloomberg attended and applauded, but left the driving to others.
For over 30 years, the Citizens Committee for New York City has been in the trenches of boosting the quality of life in the greatest city in the world. It’s up to us, New York, New York!
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