December 2014
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Holiday Luncheon 2014: Honoring New York's Neediest, Election Results, Scholarships and an Illusion for All Seasons

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The Annual BOMA/NY Holiday Luncheon opened with the awarding of an Association tradition since 1971, BOMA/NY’s Civic Betterment Award. This year’s award was conferred on Covenant House, which emerged from a field of 13 contenders to be one of the top three finalists and ultimately claim the honor. The award, which was presented to Todd Monaghan, Vice President of Individual Giving by Deborah Tomasi, a member of the Civic Betterment Award Committee, included a donation of $2,500 from BOMA/NY.

Mark Furman, who chairs the Civic Betterment Award Committee, said that the decision was unanimous. What impressed the committee most was "the new programs that Covenant House has been rolling out, including the daily service provision from 300 to 375 kids, starting a pathway-to-employment program, enhancing support programs and setting up a safe house for victims of trafficking and exploitation," among others. Covenant House is also now in its fourth decade of rescuing and supporting homeless, runaway children by providing a safe environment and support services.

Also on the program was the installation of Officers and new Board Members by BOMA International Chair, John Oliver, and the presentation of Scholarships by Committee Chair Gail P. Duke, RPA/CPM, with an assist from BOMA/NY President, Tom Hill.

Shown here, left to right, with Tom Hill, (far left) and Gail Duke, (far right), with their designation noted in parentheses, are this year's scholarship winners: Brendan Seil (RPA), Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; Peter O’Farrill (RPA), Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.: Nicholas Speirs (RPA), Rudin Management; Constantino Arroyo (SMA), Cohen Brothers; Amanda C. Rivera (RPA), H & R Reit; Renata Frank (RPA), Fisher Brothers; William Sullivan (RPA), Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; Ravel D. Diaz (RPA), RXR Realty; Mimoza Novaj (RPA), Empire State Realty Trust. Not pictured is Edward Stakeman (RPA), The Durst Organization. Gail also thanked the Scholarship Committee, led "tirelessly" by Frank J. Keating of TEI Group, and including Anthony DePalma, Michael Locicero, Patricia Maes and James Whelan.

Once all the BOMA/NY business was concluded and luncheons served, New Age Illusionist and rising star Darcy Oake personally entertained our own rising stars.