A Celebration Of The NYC Mission Society’s 200th Birthday

On December 12, 2012, New York and Harlem society gathered at The Pierre to celebrate the New York City Mission Society with 200 years of uninterrupted service with a Bicentennial Gala reported by Blackgivesback.com.   The organization was founded in 1812, and is one of the oldest social service agencies in the city.  The New York City Mission Society helps children, youth and families in New York City’s poorest communities transcend the ills of poverty and create a cycle of success for generations to come.

The gala’s 2012 honorees were Kathryn C. Chenault, Esq., who received the public service award, legendary actress and Harlemite Cicely Tyson receiving the alumnus award.   Co-bicentennial honorees were Citibank, N.A. and City Hall.   The Reverend Abyssinian Baptist Church’s in Harlem Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III and Dina Merrill Hartley served as honorary chairs.  Gala vice-chairs were The Honorable David N. Dinkins and Alexis E. Thomas, and gala chairs were Lloyd W. Brown, II, Alicia Bythewood, Stanley H. Rumbough and Jean Shafiroff.

The proceeds from the Bicentennial Gala will help to fund a $20 million capital campaign, a significant portion of which will go towards the renovation of Minisink Townhouse, New York City Mission Society’s flagship community center in Central Harlem.  These funds will also enable New York City Mission Society to continue to provide essential services in New York City’s impoverished communities. www.nycmissionsociety.org

Photo credit: 1) Hon. David N. Dinkins and honoree Cicely Tyson. 2) Jonelle Procope, Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts and Yolanda Brown. 3) Alexis Thomas, Cicely Tyson, Hon. David N. Dinkins & Joyce Dinkins. Margot Jordan, International Photojournalist, 646 226 6652

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