TTL: Goods for good hosts 6th annual Gala for Good on April 27

goods for good, a nonprofit using microenterprise to transform orphan care in Southern Africa, brought together over 500 attendees at the 6th annual Gala for Good on April 27 honoring Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, and Rachel Blumenthal, founder of Cricket's Circle. The cocktail event raised an amazing $680,000 and was at IAC HQ, located at 555 West 18th St. Transforming Orphan Care Through Microenterprise Funds raised from Gala for Good will support the expansion of goods for good's programming in Malawi. Since its founding, goods for good has given nearly 80,000 children the care they need and has established ten small businesses. With the support raised from Gala for Good, goods for good will build additional community enterprises, including a new line of aquaculture businesses, which the nonprofit announced during the event. Greater Good Award Honoring Neil and Rachel Blumenthal This year's Gala for Good honored acclaimed entrepreneurs Neil and Rachel Blumenthal. Neil Blumenthal is co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, a transformative lifestyle brand offering designer eyewear at a revolutionary price while leading the way for socially-conscious businesses. Warby Parker was just named Fast Company's Most Innovative Company for 2015. Rachel Blumenthal is founder and CEO of Cricket's Circle, a personalized baby registry and e-commerce platform that solves the what-to-buy conundrum for new and expecting mothers. Gala for Good Hosts and Attendees The event was hosted by Gala Chairs Joey Levin, CEO of IAC Search & Applications, Marissa Sackler, founder of Beespace, and Andrea Tese, a New York City-based photographer and artist. In addition to a noteworthy Gala Committee including Billy Farrell, Andrea & Adam Saper, Greg Kwiat, Russell Kwiat, and Annelise Winter, Gala for Good's attendees represented New York City's top tastemakers and included Valerie Boster, Stacey Bendet, Andrew Zuckerman, Flaviana Matata, and Hasheem Thabeet. Memorable Experiences To begin the evening, Gala for Good VIPs were treated to an exclusive chef demonstration and tasting from Daphne Oz of The Chew, the acclaimed show that just won a 2015 Daytime Emmy. As guests moved into the main space, goods for good's supporters walked through an interactive art installation, designed by What I Live By artist Elana Langer and graphic designer Erin Rommel, that physically walked them through goods for good's mission and programmatic transition from excess goods distribution to microenterprise. This art piece was then paired with a second art installation that announced goods for good's plans to expand into aquaculture community enterprise. The evening highlighted tasting stations from New York City's best restaurants, such as Eataly, Park Avenue Spring, Café el Presidente, Italian Trade Commission, Brooklyn Oyster Party, Distilled, Grandaisy Bakery, and Lady M Confections, as well as drink sponsorships from Hillrock Estate Distillery, New York Distilling Company, Starr African Rum, VEEV, Italian Trade Commission, Brooklyn Brewery, Maine Root, and Gourmesso. After a program featuring Melissa Kushner, Honorees Neil and Rachel Blumenthal, Maureen Muhota of goods for good's Malawi team, and a live auction lead by Christie's Toby Usnik, Melissa Kushner welcomed acclaimed musicians Chargaux to the stage. The violinists, who have been featured on Kendrick Lamar's album and notable fashion shows, treated guests to an array of songs as guests celebrated goods for good's impact and plans for the future. Gala for Good then closed with DJ AndrewAndrew winning the event's signature Vespa raffle.