NEW YORK-OCTOBER 29: MAYOR MIKE BLOOMBERG Addresses THE DOE FUND at "What New York Needs" Annual Fundraising Gala Sponsored by Toyota Motor North America on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street, New York City, NY. Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced George & Harriet McDonald, who were honored by The Doe Fund's Board of Directors for their 25 years of service to the organization. Gala Chairman: Burton Resnick, Chairman and CEO of Jack Resnick & Sons. Gala co-chairs were Craig and Katherine Lucas; Peter and Andrea Resnick; Donna and Marvin Schwartz and Mary Jane Salk. Award-winning correspondent for CBS’ 48 Hours Mystery,Harold Dow, also delivered remarks at the event. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Ready, Willing & Able program, which helps formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives through paid transitional work and comprehensive support services. The program is best known by its easily recognized “men in blue,” who can be seen every day cleaning more than 150 miles of New York City’s streets and sidewalks while they work their way toward self-sufficiency. In a brief conversation I was able to have with Mayor Mike Bloomberg who has supported The Doe Fund and the efforts of the McDonald's since the organization's infancy, emphasized his strong views about the significance of the organization, stating (and I am paraphrasing) that “the work of the McDonald’s and The Doe Fund is some of the most important charitable work currently being done in New York City.” Mayor Bloomberg, in his address to guests and supporters of The Doe Fund highlighted the history and accomplishments of the organization and its continuing relevance in these uncertain times. As further stated by the Mayor, these are uncertain times where any one of us or our fellow citizens, might someday need a hand up rather than a hand out, so it is critical that we all continue to support the work of The Doe Fund. On an evening where Mayor Bloomberg addressed guests, it should be noted that the Mayor spent a great deal of time listening to as many folks who wanted his ear. In attendance in support of The Doe Fund paying homage to the McDonald’s and their work were business, political and community leaders, including the current and former Mayor David N. Dinkins and DHS Commissioner Robert V. Hess. History: Inspired by the idea that aiding the homeless is more than just giving them a meal or a handout but rather a handup, in 1985, George T. McDonald founded The Doe Fund. In 1990, McDonald established Ready, Willing & Able, a paid work and job skills training program that strives to empower, employ and support homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient. His award-winning paid-work and training program, Ready, Willing & Able (RWA), went from cleaning a small stretch of sidewalks on the Upper East Side to cleaning over 150 miles of New York streets each day. Over the past two decades, TDF has grown into one of the largest nonprofits in New York, providing work, housing, and comprehensive support services to those who were once considered “unemployable.” PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2009 by Christopher London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com