New York, Oct. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF), a supplemental education nonprofit that provides afterschool, summer and weekend programs to empower underserved New York City students to pursue and obtain a college education, will host its 2012 Annual Benefit Dinner Thursday, October 4 to raise funds to support programming for its middle, high school and college students. The dinner, which is presented by sponsors including Rose Associates, Fred Alger Management, E*Trade and Ford Foundation, aims to raise $1.5 million for the organization and will take place at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City at 6:30 p.m.
The evening, which is hosted by the HEAF Board of Directors, will honor Michael D. Colacino, president of Studley and Richard H. Neiman, vice president of Global Financial Services Regulatory Practices at PricewaterhouseCoopers, for their accomplishments and contributions to the community.
With the 2012 presidential election one month away, HEAF students and Dr. Fareed Zakaria will engage the audience through an interactive panel that examines recent presidential election cycles Kennedy-Nixon, Carter-Reagan, Clinton-Bush, Bush-Gore and Obama-McCain, and the major foreign policies of each respective administration.
"We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors and are excited to welcome them, and both old and new friends to HEAF's 2012 Annual Benefit Dinner," said Calvin Sims, chairman of the HEAF Board of Directors. "In the midst of a historic election, we are reminded that education is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. I'm proud of both the commitment our supporters have made to HEAF and their recognition that education is key to improving the lives of the next generation. We value their support and are certain that this will be one of our most successful fundraisers to date."
The support of HEAF partners and sponsors will allow the organization to continue and enhance its extensive and rigorous academic programs. "The education system is facing mounting challenges and pressures, and many students who have a lot of potential, are falling through the cracks," said HEAF interim president and chief executive officer Fern Khan. "HEAF offers an alternative for these students. We have an impressive track record of success - ensuring our students go to college, graduate and become successful professionals. Our benefit dinner will help us continue to turn underserved but high potential New York City students into high-achieving college graduates."
HEAF has a proven track record of success: 100 percent of students graduate high school and go on to higher education, and 35 percent obtain advanced degrees. It is through HEAF's innovative and rigorous programming that it is able to achieve such impressive results. The HEAF Annual Benefit Dinner plays a critical role in ensuring these programs are able to continue and the organization is able to carry its mission forward.
Sponsors of HEAF's 2012 Annual Benefit Dinner include:
- AREA Property managers
- Capital One Bank
- Davis Polk & Wardell, LLP
- E*Trade
- Foot Locker
- Ford Foundation
- Fox Rothschild
- Fred Alger Management
- Jaros Baum & Bolles
- M&T Bank
- New Vernon Capital
- Rose Associates
- Ross Stores
- Studley
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Trinity Investments
- Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
The dinner's previous honorees include Richard J. Mack and
Vincent A. Mai in 2011, Alexandra D. Korry, Brigadier General
George B. Price and Merryl H. Tisch in 2010 and Judith Aidoo and
Dr. Fareed Zakaria in 2009.
Ticket Information:
For ticket information, contact Event Associates' Delvina L. Smith at (212) 245-6570. For sponsorship information, contact HEAF's Danforth Preston at (212) 663-9732 ext. 37.
For more information about HEAF or to get involved, visit www.heaf.org.
About HEAF
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is a high-impact supplemental education and youth leadership nonprofit that turns high-potential but underserved New York City public school students into high-achieving college graduates. HEAF enrolls qualifying students in middle school and supports them until they are successfully admitted to ― and graduate from ― four-year colleges. HEAF offers a variety of after-school, Saturday and summer educational and youth development programs that enable students to develop the intellectual curiosity, academic ability, social values and personal resiliency they need to ensure success in school, career and life. HEAF's track record of success is unmatched in the industry: 100 percent of HEAF students graduate college, 100 percent go on to higher education and 35 percent obtain advanced degrees. For more information about HEAF or to get involved, visit www.heaf.org.