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Hats Off to…

The Hat Luncheon Ladies of Central Park Conservancy

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]dmit it – you love Central Park! You’ve walked through it in all seasons of the year, cycled and run on its paths and dreamt on its green benches. And if you haven’t had a chance to visit it yet, you certainly hope to see it one day.

Central Park is the very life blood of New York City.

One of the ways this iconic park remains in perfect shape is through the marvelous Hat Luncheon when elite supporters in the most gorgeous and outrageous hats take over for the annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon. Hats may have disappeared from the fashion lexicon in modern times but on this one glorious day they make a triumphant return, like a descent of a fleet of multicolored exotic birds.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his annual event, which took place on May 2 in Central Park, is organized by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy which was created in 1983 to raise money and awareness for the work of the Central Park Conservancy. Some notable New York women, including Brooke Astor, have supported this through the years. In fact, the Women’s Committee is responsible for raising 15 percent of the Central Park Conservancy’s $67 million budget. Over 1200 guests including celebrities, society and fashion figures attended.

This year the Committee plans to raise at least $5 million for a $10 million project to restore the Conservation Garden, located at 5th Avenue and 105th Street. The upcoming renovation is set to update the paths and plazas throughout the garden, in addition to infrastructural changes. The luncheon raised $ 4 million.

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ormer New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a major donor, and the Hat Brigade did its share too! As Bloomberg told Page Six,  he is a regular at the hat lunch because “It’s a bunch of fun people, beautiful women, elegant men. These are people who care about making New York better and giving  everybody a place to come and enjoy themselves and realize how lucky we all are.” He added of his bare head, “Hats look beautiful, I’m just not a hat person.”

Here are a few images shared by Meera Gandhi of the Giving Back Foundation who attended the luncheon to support the Central Park Conservancy and the beauty and bounty it continues to nourish for all Central Park devotees.

Hats off  to the women behind the Hats Luncheon!

Who are the Women Behind the Hat Luncheon?

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Women’s Committee is a group of dynamic women who are dedicated to the beautification and preservation of Central Park. Founded in 1983 by four visionary women, the Women’s Committee has been instrumental in increasing awareness and raising funds for many Park projects including the reconstruction of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, the renovation of Safari Playground, and recreation of the urns at Bow Bridge. The Women’s Committee raises 15 percent of Central Park Conservancy’s $67 million annual, Park-wide budget.

The Women’s Committee is proud to host four of New York’s premier charitable events: the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, the Fall Luncheon, the Annual Family Party in Heckscher Playground, and the Playground Partners Winter Luncheon. With a membership of over 800, the Committee is responsible for the operation of many Park-wide programs including Adopt-A-Bench, Tree Trust, Playground Partners, Tulips and Daffodils, Perimeter Association, and Conservancy Docents.

The Women’s Committee houses two membership programs. One is the eponymous Women’s Committee Membership, and the other is our Playground Partners group, designed for families with children ages 10 and under.  (http://www.centralparknyc.org/)