Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: Literacy Partners May 10 "Evening of Readings" Gala A Star-Studded Success

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

NIGHTLIGHT: Literacy Partners May 10 "Evening of Readings" Gala A Star-Studded Success

On May 10, Literacy Partners Annual "Evening of Readings" Gala met and exceeded fundraising goals. Thanks to the generous support of New York Society and headliners from the worlds of fashion, design and media, Literacy Partners raised substantial funds to help fight adult illiteracy. We love Literacy Partners and everyone that appreciates the proper use of the English language, which we are of course enthused about, with a name like Whom You Know. This is such an important cause and in her speech, Barbara Taylor Bradford mentioned that 92 million Americans cannot read, which is a third of our country. In New York City, Literacy Partners aims to decrease that number one by one and their mission is incredible.

Chaired by celebrated New Yorkers Liz Smith, who was so charming to meet, Arnold Scaasi and Parker Ladd, this year's event featured best-selling authors Sara Gruen (author of Water for Elephants), David Finkel (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Good Soldiers), Mary Karr (author of two bestsellers, Liar’s Club and Lit) and Norris Church Mailer (author of Windchill Summer and Cheap Diamonds). All read aloud from their most recent works. Karr regaled the crowd with her riveting humor and this was her second time-quite distinctive! Norman Church Mailer entertained us with her tale of the winter of 1976-77 where she was dreaming of a fur coat and her dream came true in the form of a full length red fox with her initials even in the champagne colored lining. Of course, since we write about fashion too we loved the story and so did everyone in the audience.

Literacy Partners, New York's only accredited adult literacy organization, honored philanthropists Barbara Taylor Bradford, OBE, and her husband, Robert Bradford for their leadership and dedication in support of adult literacy.

Literacy Partners students Princeton Hall and Sylvia Valazquez also joined these headliners on stage, reading personal essays explaining the tremendous impact that the organization has had on their lives. Both were truly inspiring: Hall mentioned his success was in large part to the credit of his sister who was so influential in his recovery and Valazquez touched us all when she said what a pleasure it is to now read to her grandchildren. Most of us take reading and writing for granted, and Peachy Deegan for one cannot remember what it was like to not be able to read-she's been reading since age 3. We commend all that learn to read as adults and those that teach them.

Peachy Deegan enjoyed meeting during the lovely cocktail hour:

Liz Smith - looked fabulous in gold

Norman Church Mailer

Dr. Tara Cortes

Kathie Lee Gifford - a genuine delight to chat with and we can't wait to do cocktails with her and Hoda

Frank Gifford

Sherin Hamad

Diane Dennis - supporting her brother

Diana Atwood Johnson - We love people from Connecticut! She knows our friends in Old Lyme

John Johnson
Patrick McMullen

Other Gala attendees include: Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank Gifford, Peter Brown, Joni Evans, Leslie Stahl, Mary Higgins Clark, Nina Rennert Davidson and Mitchell Davidson, Yanna Avis, Robert Zimmerman, Les Hinton and Katherine Raymond, Lee Eastman, Carolyn Reidy, Gina Centrello, Michael Morrison, Elizabeth Peabody, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Susan Magrino, Mark Jackson, Cherie Blair and Jane Friedman.

This is the second year we have been honored to cover this event. Last year's coverage:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/05/literacy-partners-may-11-evening-of.html

Peachy's evening was complete with a visit to Swifty's for dinner with Robert. Their crab salad is amazing and the chocolate mousse the best in the city!

About Literacy Partners: For 35 years, Literacy Partners has helped thousands of New Yorkers learn the basic reading, writing and math skills needed to succeed in day-to-day living. Through successful collaborations with major corporations, community partners and benefactors, Literacy Partners offers small, welcoming classes taught by enthusiastic, highly trained volunteer tutors. Literacy Partners is the only nationally accredited adult literacy program serving New York City. For more information, visit www.literacypartners.org

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

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Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

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Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
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"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
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http://cosmopolitandental.com/