The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, Hosts the 14th Annual Hulaween Event at the Waldorf Astoria
(Long Island, N.Y.) Glamorously dressed in a hot pink corset, silver duster, black plumes and extra thick lashes, The Divine Ms. M Hosted the 14th annual Hulaween Event as a Las Vegas Show Ghoul. “I asked the head of my wardrobe department in Las Vegas, Fred Morales, to design a costume for me,” Bette Midler expressed, “I wanted to go as a Las Vegas Show Ghoul.” As we chatted on the red carpet, Bette stressed the importance of supporting the New York Restoration Project.
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) carries out Founder Bette Midler’s dream of a cleaner, greener New York City. To that end, NYRP restores, revitalizes and develops under-resourced parks and community gardens throughout the city’s five boroughs, working to ensure that every New York City resident, family and neighborhood has access to vibrant, green spaces. By providing enriching educational and community programming, NYRP also works to instill both individual and civic respect for nature and responsibility for contributing to New York City’s environmental sustainability.
Cognac Wellerlane interviews Bette Midler and other stars at the Hulaween Event October 30, 2009 at the Waldorf Astoria
Focusing on four principal strategies, NYRP is drawing upon its expertise and commitment to excellence in horticulture, landscape design, community outreach and educational programming, and coalition building to make NYRP the “go to” partner for revitalizing underserved New York City neighborhoods. In addition to becoming a leading advocate and partner in local greening and beautification efforts, NYRP further looks to become a model for other cities seeking to revitalize and restore neglected and under-developed open spaces.
Ghosts, goblins, witches and notable guests were present to raise over a million dollars for the New York Restoration Project.
Comedian and gay rights activist, Judy Gold dressed as President Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator was the Masters of Ceremonies and the comic relief.
During the haunted evening Whoopi Goldberg dressed as a black fairy godmother expressed in her opening speech, “I love me some Mayor Bloomberg, but Bette is cleaning the city.”
“Who would have thought one tree could make such a difference…I have a cat so I don’t f— with trees,” expressed Whoopi. Ms. Goldberg later expressed on the Divine Ms. M’s courageously attempt in structuring the first boathouse in Harlem in over 150 years, Goldberg wisecracked, “‘I’m Jewish, I go where I want!'”
Fashion Designer Michael Kors, dressed as a “hippy Rock N Roller” and judged the outrageous costumes.
Katie Couric attended the Hulaween Bash as Kate Gosselin, Martha Stewart came as a tree, Austrialian Singer Sia dressed up as a cute bunny, Gloria Gaynor came as a sexy pirate girlfriend, and Kate Pierson was dressed as a colorful Annie Oakley as they all posed on the red carpet for event photographers.
New York Restoration Project’s objective is to be recognized for the organization’s distinctive business model, expertise and standards of excellence, thereby becoming the “go to” partner for open space planning, development and programming citywide. Their goals for the following year include:
- To be among the private leadership partners in building a coalition to launch the Million Trees NYC program; leverage public support for the tree-planting initiative as a key example of NYRP’s ability to lead citywide open-space initiatives.
- Establish a recognizable design aesthetic – Visions of Horticulture – for NYRP community gardens and parks and set standards of excellence for every project that they expedite.
- Reduce plastic waste throughout New York City including expansion of NYRP’s bag snagging program and elimination of plastic bags and bottles.
- Measure economic impact of NYRP projects on surrounding communities and their residents.
- Recruit and invest in the most qualified staff and Board of Trustees.
- Create new revenue models to augment traditional fundraising; create new revenue streams by leveraging their brand through licensing and royalties, landscape and horticulture services, and expert consultation.
- Build a solid base of donors and launch a capital and/or endowment campaign to increase operating support and ensure long-term, organizational sustainability.
Tickets for this year’s Hulaween event were $640, including pre-dinner cocktails, dinner, and the performance of rock veterans Crosby, Stills, & Nash as they topped off the magical evening.
For more information on how you can support, participate and contribute please visit http://www.nyrp.org
