New Friends of Cooke Summer Soirée raises $35,000 for the Road to Independence campaign!
Cooke's younger generation of supporters gathered under the stars at a chic downtown party that raised more than $35,000 for the Road to Independence Campaign.
The New Friends of Cooke Summer Soirée drew 400 20- and 30-something guests to the Tribeca Rooftop on June 17th, where revelers enjoyed great food and cocktails while catching up with friends and former classmates.
Nicky and Charles Miller |
"The party was a huge success. All of our friends had a great time, and they were really interested in learning more about Cooke," said Charles Miller, son of Cooke Board member and founder Roger Miller and brother of Nicky Miller, one of Cooke's first students who passed away two years ago.
Charles and his brother Ian founded New Friends of Cooke just after Nicky's passing, when the group ran a 5K race to benefit Cooke in Nicky's honor.
Interest in a young professionals group was revitalized with the Adeona Foundation's hoedown benefit party for Cooke last fall. The foundation is run by five young men in their 20s who have a personal connection to Cooke through Charles Miller.
Along with Charles, Ian and members of the Adeona Foundation, the New Friends of Cooke Gala Committee included young professionals from NASDAQ, Hogan & Hartson, and The Moody's Foundation. Tickets were sold on-line via Facebook, personal e-mails and a virtual invitation.
Cooke Center alum David Robards joined Charles and Ian in thanking the crowd for their support. They also presented a video highlighting our students and their accomplishments.
Corporate sponsors included News Corporation; Greenberg Traurig; Hogan & Hartson; Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP; Bryan Cave; Gilt Groupe and Moody's.
Charles, Ian and Chris Quick of Adeona helped put the event in the spotlight with a June 16 appearance on "Fox and Friends," which highlighted the event and the Cooke Center in general.
"We couldn't have asked for a better night," said Charles. "Everyone is already looking forward to the next party!"
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