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The Central Park Conservancy
29th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon
Raises a Record Breaking $3.2 Million

(May 4, 2011, New York, NY) The 29th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Women’s Committee of The Central Park Conservancy, was held in the six-acre Conservatory Garden, the Park’s only formal garden. It was a smashing success, raising 3.2 million dollars to support the Conservancy’s work in maintaining and preserving Central Park. Guests filled 123 tables, including the corporate tables sponsored by Barclays PLC, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, Dior, Durst, Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Con Edison, Douglas Elliman, Stribling, Corcoran, and Warburg Realty Partnership.

Women’s Committee President Gillian Miniter and Co-Chairs Virginia Apple, Anne Harrison, Julia Koch and Lizzie Tisch greeted over 1,200 supporters. Most of the guests wore glamorous or amusing hats, which is why the event has been nicknamed the “Hat Luncheon.” The benefit committee has completely underwritten the event so that a100 percent of the ticket purchases went toward the operation of the Park.

Mrs. Miniter opened the Awards program, welcoming guests and acknowledging Norma Dana, one of the Founders of the Women’s Committee; Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; Bill Beinecke, Founding Conservancy Chairman; Tom Kempner, Chairman of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees; Betsy Barlow Rogers, founder of the Central Park Conservancy and Doug Blonsky, President of the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator.

Honorees of this year’s event included Corporate Chairman Robert E. “Bob” Diamond, Jr., Chief Executive, Barclays PLC, who raised over $150,000. In his acceptance remarks, Diamond made everyone smile at the rainy day, when he said, "Invite a British Bank and you get British Weather."

The Frederick Law Olmsted Award, given to an individual whose remarkable leadership and extraordinary generosity contribute to the Park’s lasting health, was presented to Judith-Ann Corrente, a member of the Board of Trustees and a generous supporter of the programs of the Women’s Committee as well as the Conservancy. She recently funded the upcoming renovation of the East 110th Street playground and has also endowed a zone gardener position in the North End of the Park.

Gillian acknowledged Evelyn Lauder and her team for the beautiful redesign of the luncheon materials featuring the classic Vanderbilt Gate and for donating the wonderful party favors.

The Women’s Committee thanked Thorunn Wathne for the lavender umbrellas, a longtime Luncheon tradition --particularly handy this year, Abigail Kirsch Catering and Andrew Pascoe Flowers.

Leading the applause were: Martha Stewart, Jennifer Diamond, Deborah Norville, Blaine Trump, Muffie Potter Aston, Michelle Paige Paterson, Noreen Buckfire, Wendy Carduner, Karen LeFrak, Cynthia Lufkin, Sue Newhouse, Mary McFadden, Liz and Jeff Peek. Allison Rockefeller, Hilary Ross, Eleanora Kennedy, Nell Diamond, Susan Rudin, Tara Rockefeller, Dayle Haddon, Sheila Labrecque, Elyse Newhouse, Alexandra Lebenthal, Lorry Newhouse, Ranjana Khan, Lois Chiles, Suzanne Cochran, Grace Hightower De Niro, Amy Fine Collins, Fe Fendi, Jamee Gregory, Rachel Hovnanian, Prudence Solomon Inzerillo, Suzanne Johnson, Karen Klopp, Kamie Lightburn, Betsy Messerschmitt, Muffy Miller, Marcia Mishaan, Nancy Missett, Nancy Paduano, Jenny Paulson, Betsy Pitts, Janet Ross, Donna Day Schwartz, Daisy Soros, Elizabeth Stribling, Rene Syler, Patsy Tarr, Dori Cooperman, Sharon Bush, Somers Farkas, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Peter Lyden, Toni Peebler, Anna Safir and Mary Wallach.

About the Central Park Conservancy:

The Women's Committee is a group of dynamic women who are dedicated to fundraising for Central Park and enhancing the Conservancy's programs in education, conservation and horticulture.

The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 as a public-private partnership with the City of New York. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City, the Conservancy has invested more for than $550 million to date into the Park, transforming it into a model for urban parks worldwide. The Conservancy provides 85% of Central Park’s annual $37 million operating budget and is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Park.