The Northwest Bronx boogied down to a swanky Midtown Manhattan venue Thursday for the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center’s (KHCC) annual Bronx Blossoms Cocktail Soiree, a celebration and fundraiser for the organization.
The soiree recognized the 51 years the nonprofit community center has offered services to Bronxites—such as providing residents with free meals and offering therapy sessions—and also honored two borough leaders and their corporate partner who KHCC said made a “lasting impact” on the organization and the Bronx.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was one of the honorees and spoke about the importance of community nonprofits like KHCC that are dedicated to the Bronx.
“KHCC is in the trenches,” Gibson said. “You are on the front lines. You are doing the work, making a difference in the lives of the people of the Bronx.”
The community center’s supporters enjoyed cocktails, music and a silent and live auction at Versa NYC, an event space in the Garment District all while raising over $135,000 for the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center.
The hottest live auctioned item was a Louis Vuitton handbag from a 2017 collaboration with artist Jeff Koons, dubbed the “Neverfull (Monet).” One lucky bidder snagged the bag that was donated by the artist, which features a rendition of Claude Monet’s famous “Water Lilies” painting, for just $2,400. Online collectors have listed the same tote at prices upwards of $7000.
KHCC also honored its former Board Chair Lisa Lindvall, who the community center said served as a “devoted champion and visionary leader” for more than a decade.
“Her passion for holistic education and her deep love for our garden have left an imprint that will never fade,” KHCC said in a statement. “The garden we cherish today is a reflection of her care, her belief in healing through nature, and her commitment to creating spaces where our community can grow.”
The center celebrated its legacy of half a century of service in the Bronx by highlighting some of its achievements. What began as a group of Bronx residents taking over a defunct police precinct to create a safe space for youth programs has evolved into a vital community hub, offering food assistance, mental health and family services, and educational programs for Bronxites of all ages.
Throughout the years KHCC has served more than 300,000 people, with over 30,000 of them being young people. Furthermore, it has given out more than 900,000 meals and offered over 6,000 free therapy sessions. Borough President said that KHCC’s legacy will continue on into the next half a century.
“We are not average in the Bronx, we are exceptional,” said Gibson. “Let’s keep fighting. Let’s keep lifting. Let’s keep motivating. Let’s keep reminding our communities to be their very best.”
