ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP
BALL
SAVE THE DATE - Friday, February 10, 2012 at The Pierre
Our 2011 Friendship Balls was a tremendous success - it was a magical evening - thanks to our Honorees, our Sponsors, our Circle of Friends and our VOLUNTEERS!! Visit our PHOTO GALLERY!!
February 2012 marks our 30th
Anniversary! The Friendship Ball grew out of a loving gathering in the
basement of St. Stephen of Hungary Church on East 82nd Street in
New York City, St. Valentine's weekend in 1982. A true
cross-section of this great city came together; including friends,
family, musicians, restaurateurs, clergy, numerous members of Local
3, Electrical Workers Union, as well as members of New York's
Finest and Bravest, not only to honor the memory of Franny Pope,
but with the intent of helping other children and their families
who were battling cancer.
On February 17th 1982, Anna Quindlen
wrote a beautiful tribute to this endeavor in the New York Times. It sums
up the spirit of this organization beautifully and it is the
genesis of The Frances Pope Memorial Foundation of today. In those early years, we did not think about 25 years down the line.
But we could not forget that there would always be families who needed
help. So each year we ran another event. And each year our loyal and
generous New York friends supported our endeavor.
The first few years
were concerts in high school auditoriums in Yorkville, then dinner
dances in Queens, and in 1991 we made our grand return to our beloved
Manhattan when the Honorable Governor Hugh Carey graciously accepted
our invitation to be our "Man of the Year".
Each year the
festivities begin by honoring outstanding individuals who are dedicated
to making a difference in the lives others and contribute to the
community.
