|
 Over
600 Advocates Gather in Honor of Farm Animals
Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur (formerly Bauston) and
Gala Co-Chair Daryl Hannah. |
In 1986,
Farm Sanctuary was inspired by one animal's suffering when Hilda was rescued
from a "downer" deadpile at a stockyard. Hilda went on to live
11 years roaming green pastures at Farm Sanctuary, and touched the hearts
and minds of millions of people during her life. Now, her legacy lives
on, as we continue to fight for the protection of all farm animals.
On Saturday,
May 20, 2006, at Farm Sanctuary's 20th Anniversary Gala, we celebrated
our first two decades of rescue, education and advocacy efforts and all
the progress that has been achieved.
The event,
co-chaired by long-time animal advocates Daryl Hannah and Heather Mills-McCartney,
brought together 600 people in a show of support for farm animals. With
a sold-out crowd, the beautiful Cipriani Wall Street Ballroom was filled
with members, celebrities, artists, corporate leaders, legislators and
members of the media - each playing a key role in placing farm animal
issues in the spotlight.
"Star 80" and
"Manhattan" star Mariel Hemingway. |
We kicked
off the celebration with a reception hosted by celebrity guests and award
recipients, a creative silent auction, passed vegan hors d'oeuvres, and
a press area for guest interviews to raise awareness through the media.
Forty-five members of the press were in attendance, including People
Magazine, US Weekly, New York 1 TV, and the Boston Globe to
name only a few! Pre-event media highlights included an interview with
Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur (formerly Bauston) by Janeane Garofalo of the Majority
Report (Air America Radio) and event promotions in the New York Daily
News, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Animal Radio, Soap Opera Digest and
Soap Opera Weekly.
Alicia Silverstone
accepts the Gift of Life Award. |
Celebrity
hosts included our Gala Co-Chair Daryl Hannah ("Bladerunner,"
"Kill Bill," "Splash"), Grant Aleksander ("Guiding
Light"), David Boreanaz ("Bones," "Angel," "Buffy
the Vampire Slayer"), Sue Coe (artist), James Cromwell ("Babe,"
"Six Feet Under"), Amy Davidson ("8 Simple Rules"),
Emily Deschanel ("Bones"), Lisa Edelstein ("House,"
"Ally McBeal"), Hallie Kate Eisenberg ("The Insider,"
"Bicentennial Man"), Jesse Eisenberg ("The Squid and the
Whale," "Roger Dodger"), Dennis Erdman (director), Dave
Foley ("A Bug's Life," "News Radio," "Kids in
the Hall"), Greg Germann ("Friends with Money," "Ally
McBeal"), Mariel Hemingway ("Manhattan," "Star 80"),
Swoosie Kurtz ("Frozen," "Sisters"), Jill Larson ("All
My Children"), Moby (musician), Dan Piraro (cartoonist and comedian),
James Reynolds ("Days of Our Lives"), Grant Shaud ("Murphy
Brown"), Paul Sorvino ("The Cooler," "Nixon,"
"Goodfellas"), Loretta Swit ("M*A*S*H"), Steve Valentine
("Crossing Jordan"), Joan van Ark ("Knots Landing,"
"The Young and the Restless"), Lindsay Wagner ("The Bionic
Woman," "The Paper Chase"), Debra Wilson ("Scary Movie
4" and "MADtv"), and Bob Zmuda (producer "Comic Relief").
During
the reception, Candle 79 hosted a tasting station featuring their famous
Seitan Chimichurris and Cipriani treated guests to vegan hors d'oeuvres
including curried seitan satay skewers with mango chutney, baby artichokes
a la Romana, eggplant caviar rolatini, braised radicchio risotto, endive
leaf with avocado salad, assorted bruschetta, rosemary focaccia, vegan
sushi and Zucchini a la Cipriani.
Congressional
Friend of Farm Animals Award Recipient U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich
(D-OH). |
The silent
auction, featuring artwork inspired by many of Farm Sanctuary's own rescued
animals and unique items such as a Gibson "Johnny Cash" guitar
autographed by Joaquin Phoenix, donated by Gala Sponsor Sean McVity, an
18 karat diamond lamb pendant courtesy of Earthwise Jewelry, and tickets
to the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Thanks to the generosity of our auction contributors
and bidders, Farm Sanctuary's 20th Anniversary Gala auction raised thousands
of dollars for our farm animal rescue and protection campaigns.
For dinner,
Cipriani and Candle 79 chefs Jorge Pineda and Angel Ramos, working together,
prepared a gourmet three-course dinner that was organic and 100% free
of animal products, showing all that vegan food can be. Dinner started
with handmade organic ravioli filled with eggplant zucchini and seasonal
herbs, finished with a light pomodoro sauce. The main course was a delectable
seitan marsalla with bundles of haricot verts, tied with carrot ribbon
and served with grilled white polenta. Cipriani finished with a chocolate
brownie with pistachio soy ice cream and an apple tart with vanilla soy
ice cream.
Gala Co-Chair
Daryl Hannah presenting with Paul Sorvino of "The Cooler," "Nixon,"
and "Goodfellas." |
Our Gala
Co-Chair Daryl Hannah led the program with a warm welcome from the stage,
followed by a viewing of our new video "Farm Sanctuary's First 20
Years," narrated by James Cromwell and featuring Moby's song "Everloving."
The awards ceremony honored dedicated advocates for their vision and commitment.
The Congressional Friend of Farm Animals Award was presented to
U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) for his longtime support of
the Downed Animal Protection Act, consistently scoring 100% on the Congressional
Humane Scorecard, and holding the distinction of being the only vegan
member of Congress. The Friend Not Food Award was presented to
Persia White, known for her vegan character on the hit TV sitcom "Girlfriends,"
for her role as an outspoken advocate for vegetarianism. Candle Cafe and
Candle 79, vegan restaurants in New York City, received the Leader
in Compassionate Living Award for their leadership in the culinary
world. The Friends of Hilda Club Award was presented to John Archibald
and James Costa for their longtime support of Farm Sanctuary and humane
legislation in Massachusetts. The Legislative Leader in Compassion
Award went to Chicago Alderman Joe Moore for his historic role in
the recent landslide vote to end the sale of foie gras within the city.
The Outstanding Activist for Farm Animals Award was given to Jana
Kohl for her tireless work to assure the passage of the foie gras ban
in Chicago. And, for her activism, educating millions about the plight
of farm animals and promoting compassionate alternatives, actress Alicia
Silverstone received the Gift of Life Award.
Following
award presentations, with memorable wit and humor, Debra Wilson and Dave
Foley hosted an exciting live auction featuring very special original
paintings of our Gala lamb "Danny" by internationally renowned
artist Peter Max. Topping off the program was a special live performance
by Moby, along with an all-star band led by Paul Peress with Scott Healy
and Jerry Vivino of the Conan O'Brien Band, Tracy Wormworth of Sting and
The B-52's and Ingrid Lucia of the Flying Neutrino's.
Musical artist
and animal activist Moby treats guests to a special performance. |
At the
end of the evening, guests attended a twilight reception featuring after
dinner treats, hosted by vegan chefs and friends of Farm Sanctuary, including
certified organic fair trade chocolate soy gelato and strawberry and mango
sorbetto by Blackwell's Organic; coconut tapioca pudding, chocolate ganache
cake with raspberry sauce and vanilla bean crème anglaise, and
citrus tarts by Chef Laura Dardi; assorted cheesecakes by Vegan Treats;
and petits fours, gateau demi glasse, and assorted tartlets by Hippie
Chick Bakery.
Thank
you for standing by Farm Sanctuary, in our efforts to build compassion,
each step of the way, and for making this momentous occasion — our
20th anniversary celebration — possible.
Click
here
to view more photos from the event.
|
