UWWP TO HOST SOLD OUT IMAGINE GALA
United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) will host its annual Imagine Gala, presented by Chubb, on Thursday, June 9th from 6-9pm at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York.
The sold-out event will recognize three extraordinary honorees while raising critical funds to support United Way’s mission of serving vulnerable populations in Westchester and Putnam who are experiencing financial hardship.
In 2021, UWWP distributed over $6.2 million worth of essential goods and 790,000lbs of free groceries to households in Westchester and Putnam Counties; provided more than 270,000 referrals around basic human needs through its 211 Helpline; administered more than $700,000 in grants to local nonprofits; and so much more. In total, UWWP invested or leveraged more than $24.2 million to help more than 353,000 families in our community.
The “Spirit of Caring” award is United Way’s highest level of recognition, and this year it will be presented to Barbara and H. Rodgin Cohen, Wegmans, and Eric D. Eller.
Barbara and Rodgin Cohen have been supporters for five decades of United Way’s mission to serve the community and those in need and will be presented with the 2022 Chairman’s Award. They are founding members of the Tocqueville Society, an affinity group of major donors, with Barbara serving as Chair of its Steering Committee from 2003-2005. Barbara and Rodgin also engage in leadership positions at numerous educational and philanthropic organizations.
This year’s Corporate Citizenship Award will be presented to Wegmans which opened its Harrison location in 2020 and has supported and partnered with United Way of Westchester and Putnam ever since. The company is devoted to being a good neighbor in every community they serve, and for decades, has been contributing to United Ways in all the company’s market areas because it remains the most efficient way to get needed funds to agencies that get measurable results.
Eric D. Eller will be recognized with United Way’s 2022 Community Service Award. A banker with decades of experience, Eric is Vice President/Credit Portfolio Manager at Valley National Bank, as well as President of the African American Men of Westchester Inc. A champion dedicated to fostering education, youth empowerment, domestic violence awareness and affordable housing, Eric is a steadfast community supporter serving as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, White Plains House Authority. Eric is currently United Way of Westchester and Putnam’s Treasurer and Vice Chair of Finance and a long-standing board member.
“We are thrilled to be able to present our Imagine Gala in person for the first time since 2019 and are privileged to recognize the incredible contributions of three powerhouse community leaders,” says United Way President and CEO, Tom Gabriel.
United Way’s Imagine Gala is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor – Chubb, Gold Sponsors – Michael and Mary Carpenter, Centerview Partners LLC, First Republic Bank, Edward D. Herlihy, Innisfree
Orin Kramer, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Lazard, M&T Bank, Eric and Stacey Mindich, New York Community Bank, Julie and Brian Simmons/Deerfield Academy, Sullivan & Cromwell LLC, Webster Bank,
Margaret and David Yawman, Esq., Silver Sponsors – Hara Amdemariam, BNY Mellon , Citizens Bank , Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLC, Emigrant Bank , Michael T. Escue, Esq. and Scott Wimbush, Jared Fishman and Joanna Liebman, The Greenbrier , Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher , Norma Lerner, Diane L. McGimsey, Esq., Scott Miller, Esq., Sharon Nelles and Scott Sager, Adam S. Paris, Esq., Sarah Payne, Esq., PURE Insurance , Alison and Richard Ressler, TD Bank, Wegmans , Laura Jean Wilson and Mark Menting, and Bronze Sponsors – Chain Bridge Partners, LLC , Conner Strong & Buckelew , Cuddy & Feder, Dawn M. Fisher and Stacey R. Friedman, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts , Extensis HR , Walter and Lori Hosp , IBM, Jane Lisman Katz, Paraco Gas , and PCSB Bank.
For more information, to become a sponsor or to donate, please visit www.uwwp.org/gala or contact Rebecca Snyder, Director of Special Events and Development at (914) 997-6700 x740, or rsnyder@uwwp.org.
