Our public launch event kicked off with a VIP cocktail reception—Trunks of Love—chaired by animal-rights advocate and cruelty-free handbag designer Cornelia Guest with Talk Stoop’s Cat Greenleaf as host. In addition, an elephant charm designed by jewelry designer Helen Ficalora and a clothing line entitled, Éléphant, designed by celebrity photographer Leslie Hassler, were unveiled, with a portion of the sale proceeds each going directly to benefit VI’s work in Thailand.
Event Chair Cornelia Guest opened the evening’s program, which included an awards ceremony presentation to hotelier Gerald Barad and philanthropists Gerald Barad and Andy Sabin. A short video by Dominic Musacchio focusing on the elephant vet care program was screened, and a ‘Fund-a-Need,’ auction, where guests bid on such items as ‘covering the cost of an elephant’s annual medical care,’ took place. The Event’s Benefit Committee included Ed Burns, Jackie Cittone Magid, Robert Dankner & Maude Davis, Dr. Jennifer Faga, Bobby Flay, Katie Lee, Leslie Hassler, and Laura Killeen.
