Back HomeNYC Homeowners Give Back to Homeless for Valentine’s Day
Article Written by Chenelle Lloyd
On Wednesday, February 4th Watson International of Keller Williams NYC partnered with WINNYC to host an exclusive Valentine’s Day fundraiser. The event was co-sponsored by Wexher Lehrer Kaufman and Langdon Title. The proceeds from the event were dedicated towards helping WIN of NYC create awareness, as well as provide transitional housing for women, and children who are, or are on the verge of becoming homeless. The venue was provided by Wells Fargo, just two minutes away from Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan. Numerous established homeowners in New York City’s luxury market attended the event to support the nonprofit that has been servicing families since 1983.
After checking in at the front desk you were greeted byWatson International’s President and CEO Antonia Watson donning a stunning red gown, welcoming you the night’s festivities. Mingling, networking and awareness were three of the night’s major themes. Ensuing simultaneously were raffle bids provided at retail price points ranging from 150 dollars to 1000 dollars. All raffles were sponsored by a mixture of local New York City businesses and long term established entities, such as Nova Dental, Dunefsky Design, and Carnegie Hall.
The most sought after raffle items were hands down the Brooklyn Nets vs Knicks game at Barclays Center on February 6th, and a once and a lifetime tour of the NY Stock Exchange with NY1 news anchor Joya Dass.
Throughout the night, there were delicious Italian dishes, catered pastries and fresh sushi and sashimi prepared on site by renowned sushi chef Mayonaki to be paired with locally curated wine from Brooklyn Oneology.
CEO Bonnie Stone of WIN was present providing chilling facts on the history behind homelessness policy in NYC. Bonnie informed us that NYC is rather unique than other cities, in that it has a mandated policy that no one person be left on the street without shelter.
WIN houses 4,500 every night, and an astounding 2,700 of those are children.
WIN provides this shelter typically for eleven months as a time for families in a separate studio style apartment. A key is given to each resident giving a sense of ownership to each incoming family. With WIN’s holistic approach to homelessness these families are situated with supportive staff to help them regain their independence.
All in all, through the sales of the events tickets and raffles Watson International fund-raised a grand total of $3,205. “We are honored to have found a charity like WIN to support in all of their endeavors, and to be backed by a CEO that has helped them grow for 16 years”-Antonia Watson
