  up being directed towards fundraising initiatives for some of the most important programs benefiting children. Some would argue it is the self-indulgent, self-absorbed, career-driven lifestyles that have resulted in the affluent having fewer offspring. What I have observed and learned casually, through non-scientific means or study, of our metropolis and the people in it, is that my fellow citizens seem to approach the child-rearing issue with a more painstaking analysis of what kind of life they can provide for a child, before actually creating one. Neil Bush, Michelle Nunn, Leora and Daniel Rosenberg The Living years By Christopher London M anhattan is a rather curious place for children: the island of the only child, meaning married couples with only one child in their household. There are also many more coupled, non-married households with no children and still more nontraditional coupled households (gay) without children. Despite Manhattan being the home of the highest average income per person in the country and several Manhattan zip codes having the highest mean household income in the nation, you would think that Manhattan might be among the least favorable environments to raise money for the children of the world and our nation. To the contrary, it’s as if the love that is not being guided towards the creation of multiple-child households somehow ends Every generation Blames the one before And all of their frustrations Come beating on your door A ll SO C IETY P h o t o s : © C h r i s t o p h e r L o n d o n and G r e g o ry P a rta n i o / M a n h at ta n S o c i e t y . c o m society I know that I’m a prisoner To all my Father held so dear I know that I’m a hostage To all his hopes and fears I just wish I could have told him in the living years The Living Years by Mike & The Mechanics (1988) Social Life, vol. V II issue 2 lightly. Sometimes it taxes you in ways you cannot imagine, and often you can feel like you are failing and never doing enough. Yet, when I am alone and reflect on the men that you and your brothers have become, I am humbled that I had anything to do with it.” You can tell a lot about a society by how it values its women and children. One could argue that it’s often those who choose not to procreate or who choose to create fewer offspring who place a higher value on children. Their philanthropy, often in the multiple thousands, if not millions towards child-related causes bears that out. To those folks, I lift a glass and say L’Chaim and God Bless your souls. Speaking of wonderful souls, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City raised over $2 million for its programs at their 31st Annual Sidewalks of New York Gala, held April 26, at the Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Ballroom. Four ”Bigs” and “Littles,” matched from Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City programs, shared their stories and experiences from the Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Ballroom stage, as they presented awards to this year’s inspiring honorees. Honorees included four incredible role models who have overcome personal and professional obstacles to obtain significant success: The Allan Luks Public Service Award was presented to Richard J. Franchella, RBC Wealth Management; Mark Standish, President and Co-Chief Executive of RBC Capital Markets received BigsNYC Corporate Award; Deborah Roberts, ABC News and 20/20 Correspondent was presented with the BigsNYC Soledad O’Brien I’m reminded of a conversation I had with a mentor who was a Partner in one of New York’s leading international law firms, a man whose brain power has been put to use saving many a CEO’s hide in complex bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings. When I asked why he and his super-successful, sophisticated and accomplished wife did not yet have a family (but yet he contributed to many of New York’s most important charitable institutions, including those benefiting children) the response was simply, “My wife and I love our respective careers and while having children would be wonderful, we do not want to just procreate in order to put them on a shelf for observation and a sense of accomplishment.” As a young Associate who aspired to marriage and family I walked away somewhat confused, not understanding the gravity of that statement truly until the eve of my father’s death when I confided to my father, on his sickbed, that I was concerned about whether he would ever get to see the day that I made him a grandfather. “My son, it is a tremendous responsibility and one that I would advise you not to undertake Edward Gardner, Agnes Hassell, Roger S. Goodell, Gerald Hassell Communications Award; and the BigsNYC Sports Award went to Baltimore Ravens Offensive Tackle, Michael Oher, whose remarkable story is the subject of the Oscar-nominated film The Blind Side. Each award was presented to the honoree by a child and his/ her mentor. Over the past two months, the matches had been   society writing and rehearsing their introductory remarks – making for moving, heartfelt presentations sparkling with individualized wit and personality. Each of their stories noted the important role that their social workers played in ensuring the long-term success of their mentoring relationship. CNN Anchor & Special Correspondent, Soledad O’Brien was Mistress of Ceremonies. Gerald L. Hassell, President of the Bank of New York Mellon was the Dinner Chairman. Children for Children (CFC), which is now the Youth and Education division of Hands On Network (a related organization of The Points of Light Institute), hosted its Ninth Annual Benefit, The Art of Giving, on April 13. At the event, Children for Children announced that it is extending its national reach and growing into GenerationOn in partnership with The Points of Light Institute. The event was held at Christie’s auction house in Rockefeller Center. society Richard I. Beattie, Sherrie Rollins Westin, David L. Westin Katie Couric, Silda Wall Spitzer Bruce Gordon, Tawna Tibbs, Michael A. Corriero Lou Duva, Dr. Richard Garvey xxxxxxxx a standing ovation. Ellen Burstyn, Academy Award-winning actress served as emcee. Benefit Committee Co-Chairs included Silda Wall, Daniel and Leora Rosenberg, Kathy Lacey and James Hoge, Rebecca and Jim Neary, Megan Kultgen, and Lucy Lang. The Benefit is an important vehicle through which Children for Children raises funds to support its vital youth-service programs. The Art of Giving also serves as an opportunity to honor members of the community who are committed to youth service and to celebrate CFC’s more than 200,000 volunteers. The World Famous Oheka Castle located in Huntington was the location for “Hassle at the Castle,” a premier red carpet Charity Boxing Event benefiting Shea Megale Trust for SMA and the Elena Melius Foundation on May 7. The event was produced John Edmonds Kozma of BANG Productions, Inc. and Lou Duva in association with X-cel Promotions, along with MAD Events, Inc. The evening featured a marvelous night of boxing, fashion and entertainment, with 30 rounds of boxing, a swimsuit fashion show featuring Carla’s Closet (as seen in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues 2006-2010), spirits and cuisine for all. The night concluded with a special tribute to legendary boxing Manager/Trainer Lou Duva. Legendary boxers in attendance included “Gentlemen” Gerry Cooney, Burt Sugar, Emile Griffith, Vivian Harris, Mystery Quest, Mark Breland, Pernell Whitaker, and Tyrell Briggs (The 1984 Olympic Boxing Team) as well as Evander Holyfield. Deborah Roberts, Al Roker Children for Children honored Katie Couric, CBS News Anchor, with T he Constance L. Hays Helping Hands Award. Couric was introduced in a glowing speech by Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation about “The Couric Effect,” as aptly coined by researchers at the University of Michigan, for using her platform to increase funding and research for colorectal cancer via her on-air colonoscopy in 2000, and launch of the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance after the loss of her husband, Jay, to colorectal cancer in 1998. Neil Bush, Chair of the Board of Directors of The Points of Light Institute offered his well received and humorous anecdotes from the dinner table of his father, President George H. W. Bush, about his respect for Ms. Couric, before concluding that Katie represents one of those “Thousand Points of Light” whom his father invoked in his inaugural address in 1989 and in speeches during his days as President. Ms. Couric received Lucy Jane Lang, Ellen Burstyn, Megan Kultgen Kevin Arquit, Maggie Jones, Alec Baldwin Evander Holyfield, Gerry Cooney Gary Melius, Shea Megale Social Life, vol. V II issue 2 The KiDS of NYU Foundation, Inc. 2010 Spring Fling raised over $3 million at its 19th annual gala held Tuesday, May 25, at the Plaza Hotel. This year’s event honored Dr. Achi Ludomirsky, director of Pediatric Cardiology, and paid tribute to Dr. Eugenie Doyle, Professor Emerita of Pediatric Cardiology, for their extraordinary contributions to pioneering and advancing the field of pediatric cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center. A portion of the $3 million raised at this year’s gala—including