Harlem RBI’s Annual Gala

Harlem RBI and DREAM Charter School to Honor Chancellor Joel Klein and Yankees’ General Manager, Brian Cashman at Annual Gala 

Harlem RBI, a 17-year-old youth-development organization in East Harlem, and the DREAM Charter School will honor Chancellor Joel Klein, New York City Department of Education, and Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees at their annual spring gala, Bids for Kids.

 The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m., on May 15, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Grand Central Station and includes a VIP Reception; cocktail hour and silent auction; and a dinner and live auction.

 More than 650 loyal supporters and new friends will raise more than $1.2 million for the DREAM Charter School and its institutional partner, Harlem RBI.

“We are very excited to honor both Chancellor Klein and Mr. Cashman as they represent the educational aspect of Harlem RBI and our baseball component, respectively,” said Richard Berlin, executive Director of Harlem RBI. 

“We are also thrilled to highlight and celebrate the coming opening of our DREAM Charter School at this year’s event”  

The DREAM Charter School received its charter in January and will open on September 2, 2008 with 50 kindergarteners and 50 First Graders for the 2008-2009 school year. The school will grow one grade (50 students) each year until it reaches capacity with grades K-8 and a total of 450 students. 

Daniel M. Healy, Chairman, Heritage Bank (proposed), and John Scotti, Owner, Team Scotti, will serve as event co-chairs. Gregory J. Fleming, President, Merrill Lynch, and Thomas B. Michaud, Vice Chairman & President, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will serve as event Vice Chairs.

Last year Harlem RBI honored Congressman Charles B. Rangel and Carlos Beltran, centerfielder for the New York Mets and Honorary Spokesman of Harlem RBI. The 2007 gala raised more than $1.2 million, which is the largest fundraising event for Harlem RBI to date. 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.harlemrbi.org, Harlem RBI, Felice Boldin, 212.722.7105 x 230, Maleka Covington, 212.722.7105 x 260