On Monday, November 7th, we were proud to host our 9th annual Gala, Wine & Dine for Kula: A KULAnary Cause, at the Hilton Pearl River.
Every year, our Gala is a wonderful opportunity for the incredible Kula community to come together to connect, hear updates on our work, and taste delicious dishes from some of the best restaurants and culinary artists in the area. As we continue to expand to support more populations, our community of supporters is more important than ever.
This year, we were able to reach 95% of our goal for 2017! For those of you who were unable to join us, there’s still time for you to support us in funding our 2017 programs. If you’re able to make a contribution, please do so here.
For the first time ever, we included a “Giving Forest,” a new way for the Kula community to help us grow our programming. The Giving Forest was made up of several symbolic trees, each representing a different element of Kula’s work. Leading up to and throughout the event, supporters could purchase a $50, $75 or $100 leaf for the tree of their choice. For each leaf purchased, donors received a beautiful bracelet made with love by our volunteers. In the words of our Program Director, Loretta Turner:
The Giving Forest was truly a magical place. In the midst of the usual Gala vibe filled with mingling, wine, laughter and food, you couldn’t help but notice the glowing, loving and inviting energy of the Forest. Once inside, it honestly felt like I was transported to a serene and enchanted place. The message and purpose of the Giving Forest was abundant, and it was a lovely touch to the Gala event.
We’d also like to continue to share a special fund that is incredibly close to our hearts. On Thursday, July 14th, Barbara Infeld, one of Kula’s greatest supporters and mother of our founder, Geri Topfer, passed away after a three year battle with breast and ovarian cancer. Throughout the course of her treatment, practicing yoga helped Barbara to manage her symptoms and improve her overall well-being. She wanted to ensure that even more people who are battling cancer have access to the practice and experience the same benefits. If you were unable to attend the Gala, and would like to make a donation in Barbara’s honor, you can do so here.
We invite you to watch the videos below, and celebrate all that we’ve been able to accomplish together over the course of this past year. Thank you, again, for all that you do!
And a huge thank you to the incredible restaurants, culinary artists, and sponsors who made this year's Gala possible:
Restaurants & Culinary Artists:
Amano Pizza
American Cut
Axia Taverna
Bici
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe
Caffe Anello
Carousel Cakes
Chef Hunter Zampa
Contemporary Foods
Esty Street
Finks BBQ Smokehouse
Hohokus Inn
La Promenade
Marcello’s Ristorante
Masa Sushi & Grill
Mish Mish
Morton’s The Steakhouse
NOVO
Organica Natural Foods
Park & Orchard
Pearl River Catering
Rockland Community College Hospitality Department
Saddle River Inn
Sayola
Varka Estiatorio
Event Sponsors
Visionary
$10,000
Anonymous
Anonymous
Hackensack Meridian Health
North Jersey Brain and Spine
Sheridan Healthcorp, Inc.
Benefactor
$5000
The Body Image Boutique
Englewood Hospital & Medical Center
Jen and David Graf
Hackensack Meridian Foundation
Nancy & Steve Manket
Kim & Bill Pressman
David Sanzari
Dr. Mark Schlesinger
Geri and Steven Topfer
Valley Health System
The Whole Child Center
Patron
$2500
The Becker Family
Christian Healthcare Center
Frederick Wildman & Sons
Steve Greenberg
Hackensack Pascack Valley Health
HUMC Clinical & Patient Care Services
Inserra Shoprite Stores
Jill and Paul McKeon
Vicki & Michael Reisbaum
Inserra Shoprite
Kathleen Simmons
Grassroots
$1000
Aurorae
Behaved Brain Wellness Center
Children of Joy Pediatrics
Paul Crawley
Ernst Winzer Cleaners
The Enchanted Heart Collection/Bazaar Star Beadery
Penni Feiner & Francois Giliberti
Hackensack Gastroenterolgy Associates
John Theurer Cancer Center
Barbara and Thomas Kornreich
La Promenade
Mobility Elevator & Lift Corp
Metro Eyecare
Munn & Associates
Helene Naftali
Owens Group
Denise Ratcliffe
Dr. Gail Sobel & Richard Sobel
Dr. Erica Song, Vibrant Life Medicine
Wells Fargo Private Banking
Wostbrock Home
Friend
$500
AAM Investment Partners, Keith Freiband
Michael Ashendorf, Travel Techsperts Powered by Frosch
Martin Infante
Eileen and Steve Farbman
Edmund W. Granski
Leslie and John Lahoud
Mortgage Masters
Karen E. Morse
Phyllis & Scott Rowley
Scenic Landscaping
Select Office Suites
The Wuhl Family