On November 17, Make the Road New York celebrated our largest and most successful gala yet. We were so pleased to celebrate with 325 guests and the many event sponsors who made it such a memorable event and helped us to raise $230,000 for MRNY's work with immigrant and working class New Yorkers.
We were delighted to honor Patrick O'Neill, Executive VP and Organizing Director of UFCW; Justin Swartz, Partner at Outten & Golden LLP; and seventeen of MRNY's members who, along with many supporters, elected officials and staff, held a 72-hour fast for immigration reform earlier this year.
All of the evening's courageous honorees have shown resilience and determination to build DIGNITY, COMMUNITY and POWER for NYC's low-income and immigrant families, workers and students. Their work is exemplary of the values MRNY promotes, and we were proud to honor their achievements and their commitment. We would like to thank our generous guests and sponsors. Thank you also to the many government officials who came out to support MRNY:
Assemblyman Richard Gottfried Assemblyman-Elect Francisco Moya Public Advocate Bill de Blasio Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer City Council Speaker Christine Quinn City Council Member Brad Lander City Council Member Diana Reyna City Council Member Margaret Chin City Council Member Jumaane Williams City Council Member Gail Brewer City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer City Council Member Daniel Dromm and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Rafael Cestero.
2010 has been a tremendously successful year for our work, thanks to our many dedicated supporters. As we move into 2011, we are counting on your support to continue our vital community organizing, education and services work that promotes DIGNITY, COMMUNITY and POWER for all New Yorkers.
"Today, with 12,600 dues-paying members, MRNY is a unique amalgam of worker center, legal clinic, citizenship school, mutual aid society, policy shop, protest factory and church. Its four offices in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island are an egalitarian oasis for members, who gather there for conversation and classes..."