Amy Stiller, Yuki Kotan,i Marin George, Michelle Javian

On Thursday, Feb. 24, New York City celebrated a tremendous cause: Harbouring Hearts, a 501(c)(3) established in 2009 by Michelle Javian and Yuki Kotani. The organization implemented their first annual fundraiser at the Rubin Museum of Art in downtown Manhattan.

This cause is close to both co-founders hearts; having experienced loved ones going through cardiac and transplant procedures, the two decided to put their efforts in helping cardiac patients and their caregivers. Many times families exert all their time and financial resources into these medical expenses; that their other expenses tend to get neglected.  The proceeds from this event are specifically going to their housing costs.

Dalal Bruchmann

The theme to the gathering was a ‘Winter Cocktail Party’ where guests were welcomed into a tour of the museum and a performance by NY Pops, a New York City based classical orchestra. Guests listened to comments from the co-founders of Harbouring Hearts while sipping on Barefoot wine, Barcardi and Nespresso and munching on sweets from Honi Cookies, Stogo Ice Cream, and Tu’Lu’s bakery. DJ Harley Viera Newton was also there spinning beats into the evening.

Sarah Charness and DJ Harley Viera Newton

Harbouring Hearts housing program is hoping to accommodate about 60 families in a four bedroom house in New York; close to New York Presbyterian and Mt. Sinai Medical Centers, where the procedures take place. This program is supported by advisory board members; Yoshifumi Naka, M.D., Cardiothoracic surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Susan Camerata, CFO at Wavecrest Managment Team Ltd. and William Sullivan CEO and President of Ronald McDonald House New York City.

Emma Snowdon-Jones, Arno Elias, Sally Wu

Some notable people who made an appearance for this worthwhile cause are: actresses Dalal Bruchmann and Amy Stiller, Miss New York, Designers Rolando Santana and Sally Wu, NY 1 reporter Michelle Park, Blogger Jonathan Valdez, Stylist Caesar Gaviria, singer Arno Elias, hair stylist Marcos Diaz and model Ling Tan.

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