A Blockbuster Night for A Celebration of Blythedale

A Celebration of Blythedale, the Hospital's largest fundraising event of the year, brought together supporters, trustees, staff, and community leaders for an inspiring evening honoring generations of service and commitment to children and families. Held on October 14 at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY, the event raised nearly $1.1 million to support services and programs at Blythedale Children's Hospital, including Assistive Technology initiatives that help children achieve greater independence and reach their fullest potential.

The evening honored Blythedale's Legacy Families, whose collective leadership and service on the Hospital's Board have helped shape Blythedale's mission for generations. Together, these families represent more than 575 years of dedication to the children and families Blythedale serves.

"Today we're here to celebrate 135 years of serving children, families, and our community," said Blythedale President and CEO Dr. Nathaniel Beers. "What began as a small program offering children time and space to recover has grown into a nationally recognized provider of specialized pediatric care for children with the most complex medical needs."

The Hospital recognized Jeanie Hofheimer Bennett, Joan Bernhard, Owen Gutfreund, Betty Pforzheimer, and Virginia Furth Weisman, representatives of families whose philanthropy, leadership, and volunteer service have helped guide Blythedale's growth since its earliest days.

The spirit of giving honored at the Celebration is woven into Blythedale's history. Since the Hospital's founding in 1891, generations of families have invested their time, talent, and resources to ensure children with complex medical needs receive the specialized care they deserve. Their enduring commitment continues to shape the Hospital's mission and future.

"They're people more comfortable giving than receiving and who typically prefer to remain behind the scenes," said Blythedale Board Chair Peter Rittmaster. "That's what makes it even more meaningful that they have stepped outside their usual comfort zones of anonymity to allow us to honor them."

These families were featured in the film "A Proud Past, A Bright Future", which celebrated their enduring legacy and the extraordinary contributions they have made to Blythedale over the years.

The Hospital also recognized Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) as its corporate honoree. For years, JLL has played a critical role in helping advance Blythedale's campus and strategic vision, providing expertise and partnership that will continue to support the Hospital's future growth and development.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came during the Mission Moment, following the moving short film, "The Power of Possibility", which highlighted the Hospital’s assistive technology program. Inspired by the film, guests throughout the ballroom raised their paddles in support of Blythedale’s mission, helping to generate more than $370,000 for the Hospital’s vital programs and services. The extraordinary generosity of the evening made this year’s Celebration of Blythedale the most successful in the Hospital’s history.

As Blythedale looks toward the future, the evening served as a powerful reminder that the Hospital's success has always been built on a shared commitment to children. From the legacy families who helped build the foundation to partners like JLL who are helping shape what's next, their support ensures that Blythedale can continue delivering exceptional care for generations to come.

For more information about A Celebration of Blythedale or to make a donation, please contact Special Events and Corporate Relations Manager Toni Marie Favata. And be sure to view the event video and photo gallery below!