2012
04/30/2012 - THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S HOT PINK PARTY
04/26/2012 - Grand St. Settlement's Taste of the Lower East Side
04/02/2012 - 2012 Skating with the Stars Gala
04/02/2012 - Strokes of Genius to benefit Autism Spectrum Disorders
03/29/2012 - The American Classical Orchestra 2012 Spring Gala Concert & Benefit
03/24/2012 - United States launch of the Seol Won Foundation
03/21/2012 - Kick-off event for The Perlman Music Program’s May 3rd Spring Benefit
03/16/2012 - Asia WeekNY kick-off reception at the Morgan Museum & Library
03/10/2012 - Toby and Itzhak Perlman and The Perlman Music Program hosted by Jim and Kristy Clark in Palm Beach
03/08/2012 - National Committee on American Foreign Policy Hosts the 2012 Gala Awards Dinner
03/06/2012 - 2nd Annual Fountain House Associates Spring Breakfast
03/05/2012 - School of American Ballet's Winter Ball 2012
03/03/2012 - AMIT NewGen Wine Tasting
03/01/2012 - American Cancer Society Honors Grace Hightower De Niro, Diane Reidy-Lagunes MD, Emily Sonnenblick MD
03/01/2012 - New York School of Interior Design Kick-off Reception
02/25/2012 - GiGi’s PLAYHOUSE NYC, Down Syndrome Awareness Centers, opened its doors for the first time
02/25/2012 - CARON LIGHTS UP MAR-A-LAGO WITH “AFTER DARK” GALA
02/19/2012 - Blitz Build 2012
02/07/2012 - 2012 Annual High School Counselor’s Breakfast
02/06/2012 - The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s ® (BCRF) annual Hot Pink Luncheon and Symposium
02/04/2012 - The 2012 Hope Gala
02/03/2012 - North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee Presents Checks to Local Food Banks
02/03/2012 - American Cancer Society’s 54th Annual Black and White Gala
02/02/2012 - Cut 25 Flagship opening - an event to benefit Project Paz
01/29/2012 - KiDS of NYU Langone Foundation hosted its 6th annual KiDS Play to Win!
01/28/2012 - Girls Bite Out for the North Texas Food Bank
01/26/2012 - French Heritage Society’s New York ChapterKicked Off its 2012 Cultural Season
01/26/2012 - Annual Event to benefit The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School
01/26/2012 - 2012 Plates for Pediatrics Benefit
01/24/2012 - New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Gala
01/20/2012 - 2012 Wishmaker's Ball
01/20/2012 - Silence! Silent Art Forms
01/19/2012 - UJA-Federation of New York Generosity Signature Event
01/19/2012 - JDRF Central Jersey Chapter Events
01/17/2012 - TIFFANY & CO. HOSTS CARON SUPPORTERS TO SPECIAL PREVIEW OF 2012 TIFFANY LEATHER COLLECTION
01/16/2012 - 2nd Annual San Diego Breast Cancer Fundraiser
01/13/2012 - "Cycle Without Limits" Specialized Bike Program
01/12/2012 - Salvatore Ferragamo Hosts and Evening of Shopping to Benefit the Paradise Fund in Support of St. Jud
01/12/2012 - JDRF Central Jersey Chapter Walk to Cure Diabetes Awards Party
01/09/2012 - Museum of American Finance 2012 Gala
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UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison
07/09/2010 - By New York, NY

UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison

As I walked out of the Mandarin Oriental, I looked at the notes I scribbled down during the UJA-Federation of New York's 2010 Fashion Division Cocktail Reception honoring Gilbert W. Harrison, and the famous philanthropy quote by Sir Winston Churchill

"We make a living but what we get but we make a life by what we give." The quote seemed tailored to Harrison who is the chairman of Financo Inc., a New York-based investment banking firm specializing in providing merger and acquisition, financial restructuring and other financial advisory services globally to the retail, apparel and other merchandising and consumer good companies. But Harrison hasn't kept busy since 1971 just by buttoning up business deals, he's also spent much of his life giving back to those in need. From being one of the founders of the UJA's CEO Fashion Forum to serving on several boards and committees, Harrison's life is one his family, friends and colleagues say they admire.

"Gil is a very well-respected and a very well-liked advisor in the apparel, footwear and retail industries," Ira Dansky, General Counsel of Jones Apparel said. "He's very deserving of this honor." Jimmy Rosenfeld, President of Fishman and Tobin, Inc., said he's impressed by all Harrison has done to make a difference. "He's a great leader in our industry and in the Jewish community." Bernard Aidan, the CEO of Carolina Molina said he was honored to celebrate the achievements of his friend. "Every time I can support Gil, I do it with all of my heart."

And at the heart of Harrison's life you'll find his wife, children and grandchildren. While I've attended hundreds of charity events, I've never seen an honoree have his grandchildren take the stage during a thank you speech. It was without a doubt, my favorite moment of the night. "G" as they call him may have left big shoes to fill; but, his grandchildren say they're armed with advice to help them leave their own footprints in the world. "He said to donate money to people, but money isn't the only thing you can do. You can give clothes and toys," 11-year-old Teddy Kaplan said. "I just donated camp stuff!" 8-year-old Caroline Kaplan added. "It's good being here, honoring him," 5-year-old Jerry Laschter told me. And while their grandfather holds many titles, they told me their favorite one: "We call him the human garbage can," Teddy said. "When we don't finish our food, he gobbles it up!" Caroline added.

When I got home I went through the messages people placed in the journal for Harrison. There were ads from fashion icons, department stores, family members and friends. And on the last page, I saw it. That famous quote by Sir Winston Churchill. "We make a living but what we get but we make a life by what we give." I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Harrison has given his community a style to emulate.

Photos: Michael Priest Photography

Story by JA.


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