Curiouser and curiouser! The New York Junior League‘s annual Winter Ball returned this weekend with whimsical fanfare, thanks to its “Evening in Wonderland” theme. Attendees dressed the part in rich red and frosty blue hues, nodding to Alice and the Queen of Hearts—plus a garden variety of florals fit for a mad tea party!
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- Jeri Powell and Craig Melvin
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- Nicole Furlong, Savannah Thomas, Helen Scott Ching, Sara Reidy Brzozowski
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- Kathleen Adams
Hosted at Cipriani South Street, the evening began with rounds of cocktails before guests were ushered into the main ballroom. The Today Show‘s Craig Melvin served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies, introducing an original dance performance, “Alice,” by students from the Harlem School of the Arts.
Harlem School of the Arts students
NYJL president Jeri Powell then led a special ceremony for this year’s Winter Ball honorees, including Elizabeth King and Gena Lovett (Outstanding Sustainers), and Sarah Marie Cloonan, Nicole M. Hudak, Michelle LeNoach, Kathleen Z. Li, and Noreen Okarter (Outstanding Volunteers). Each was honored for their outstanding qualities and work towards the nonprofit’s mission to improve womens’ and children’s lives by partnering with over 20 charity organizations across Manhattan.
Jeri Powell, Noreen Okarter, Kathleen Li, Michelle LeNoach, Nicole Hudak, Sarah Cloonan, Gena Lovett, and Elizabeth King
As dinner was served, the evening’s vibrant live auction kicked off, hosted by Erin Ward. The event’s grand prizes included a Canyon Ranch wellness retreat, luxe St. Barth’s vacation, a stay at Marram Montauk, and a signed pink guitar from Bon Jovi, presented by his son Jesse Bon Jovi. Afterwards, attendees were treated with tea and plenty of desserts—including chocolate lava cake, lemon cake, tiramisu, and an assortment of cookies and berry, lemon meringue, and pecan tarts.
Erin Ward
To close the evening, the ballroom’s dance floor opened with a rousing live band for attendees to dance the night away. During the event, everyone had the chance to discover on-site activations, including a photo booth, Freud Cigar Co. cigars, and welded bracelets. One of the most popular proved to be the massive silent auction, filled with chic items including chic handbags, dresses, and shoes from Zadig & Voltaire, Dagne Dover, and Il Bisonte, Kendra Scott jewelry, Balmain Beauty fragrances, and skincare from Estée Lauder, Orveda, and Acqua di Parma—as well as a range of fitness classes, private photography sessions, and travel experiences. In total, the night successfully raised $850,000 in funds to continue the NYJL’s various projects across New York City.
Billie Sunday Banks
Guests included Lillian Krohn, Sterling Jones, Megan Zuckerman, Rasheeda Davis, Billie Sunday Banks, Nicole Furlong, Savannah Thomas, Helen Scott Ching, Sara Reidy Brzozowski, Dana Vogel, Blythe Brock, Alyssa Quigley, Andrew Werner, Marie Choi Mannix, and more.
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- Sterling Jones
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- Megan Zuckerman
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- Tobili Hatcher
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- Blake Townsend
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- Noreen Okarter
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- Nicole Hudak
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- Gena Lovett
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- Kathleen Li
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- Sarah Cloonan
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- Michelle LeNoach
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- Elizabeth King
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- Samantha Jess, Savannah Thomas
All images: Madeleine Thomas/BFA.com
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