Entrepreneurs, Fashionistas, and Media Stars Savings Lives!

Thomasa Kingsbury, CEO and President of Burlington Coat Factory Awarded Retailer of the Year By The Needlers Foundation

Entrepreneurs, Fashionistas, and Media Stars Savings Lives!

Silvia Davi, VP, BMI (left)
Scott Fishman, President, Needlers (center)
Scott Wapner, CNBC (right)

Wednesday night, October 17, 2012 the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria was filled with “fashionistas” and entrepreneurs coming together for a joint cause, saving lives! Needlers hosts various fundraising events and promotions throughout the year to support health programs within the communities it serves and help sick children suffering from illnesses.  Its flagship annual gala known as the Person of the Year or Retailer of Year event has become a celebrated social gathering awarding an industry executive for their social responsibility and philanthropic efforts. This year, TheNeedlers Foundation granted the prestigious award to Thomas A. Kingsbury, CEO and President, Burlington Coat Factory.

The Needlers Foundation is a not-for-profit philanthropic organization, which exclusively benefits children's charities. 99% of money raised goes to children in need. Since its inception, The Needlers Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to hospitals and children’s foundations across the country. Kingsbury is a supporter and believer in social responsibility, renowned for his work in the community and fashion industry. The event included some of the media’s top industry professionals such as the host and Master of Ceremony, ScottWapner, current CNBC “Fast Money Halftime Report” Host and award-winner.

Scott Wapner, CNBC showing the
Proclamation from the NYC Mayor's Office 

Silvia Davi, Vice President, and Head of Strategic Corporate Communication and Marketing at Broadcast Music Inc., has been assisting The Needlers Foundation to promote their philanthropic goals of raising awareness and funds to benefit pediatric neurosurgery and sick underprivileged kids. Thanks to the work of Mrs. Davi, an announcement was made last night that Mayor Bloomberg has declared October 17, 2012 “The Needlers Day” in honor of the incredible work the foundation has done throughout the many years of existence.

Mel Goldfeder, President, Swank IMC.
Randa.net (center), Burlington Coat Factory
Jewelry Buyers (left/right)

With 800 attendees, the founders and board members of The Needlers Foundation were all smiles at their fund-raising event. The goal was certainly met as the seats of every chair in the room was filled with the likes of top representatives of FILA, Burlington Coat Factory, RR Hospitality Design, Jean Design, Kidz Concepts, Dream Wear, BMI, Swank, and more!

It was an honor to attend The Needlers Foundation 2012 Retailer of the Year Event! There were hundreds of business constituents that came together to raise funds for children’s charities in order to save lives.  Together we as a community can continue to promote the amazing work of The Needlers Foundation, the team at Burlington Coat Factory, and all of those who generously gave to the foundation in order to support such selfless philanthropic work. In today’s world of digital media and social connection, we can tweet, message, post, and click in just one second that will increase awareness and help to save a child! To view the complete gallery of the photos in the near future please visit www.Josephpessar.com (all proceeds of photo purchases will go to the benefit of The Needlers Foundation). 

About The Needlers Foundation

The Needlers Foundation is a not-for-profit philanthropic organization, which contributes exclusively to children's charities. We were founded approximately 50 years ago by a group of garment center executives to benefit children in need. The Needlers primary goal is raising funds and bringing awareness to benefit pediatric neurosurgery and to help sick and underprivileged children. Today, our membership includes those in allied industries as well as lawyers, CPAs, bankers, doctors and health care professionals who have helped raise millions of dollars for children's charities. 

The Needlers Foundation has benefitted children with rare diseases from all over the world. The contributions from the organization have supported:

The Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Roosevelt Hospital, also known as the INN. The INN is part of Continuum Health Partners and attracts patients from across the country and around the world because of its leadership, state of the art center and sophisticated procedures. 

The Needlers Foundation’s work with Continuum Health Partners specifically raised millions of dollars to help build the Needlers Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Roosevelt Hospital. 

Silvia Davi, VP and Head of Communications, BMI (left),
Leah Luddine, President, Trendsetter Communications (right)

Burlington Coat Factory Team

Board Members of The Needlers Foundation

 

CommunicatingNOW is an informative blog about networking, digital media, web optimization, and overall new media best practices. In today's digital revolution, we are inundated with a ton of information. My name is Leah Luddine, I have more than seven years experience as a Communications Professional and my goal is to help you learn how to deliver your information effectively to your audience via digital media. 

In addition to my blog, I am a freelance communications professional. Please feel free to visit my website: www.TrendSetterNYC.com

How do we decipher what content is correct and which blogger is the "real deal?" 

Photo Credit: coseom.com

Consider the following:

1. Always research your research! 

• Double checking yourself is extremely important when you are about to launch a product, build a website, or optimize a client's new landing page with "top keywords."
• Use tools such as, Google Analytics or Google Insights in order to find out what types of topics or search terms the people in the geographic area you are focusing on are searching the most. 

2. Network, engage, and stay relevant:

• Be sure to remain up to date with who is posting the most innovative content and technologically savvy information on the social media portals. 
• Search on website such as, Twitter.com, Linkedin.com, and any specialty membership sites in your niche for who is the voice of authority -- and pay attention. 
• "Friend" folks that are discussing related topics and sharing informative content about managing the strategy of the digital future.  
• Participate in discussion boards, get involved! 

3. Read the News:

• Stay informed of the latest breaking news and events because anything could link to a new idea. Moreover, there may be a way the digital space is going to be used in the next big story. Therefore, it is imperative to stay connected.
• Set up News Alerts to the topics you prefer to be informed about. Re-post, and Re-inform others of pertinent matters in your industry. You can become a top influential figure in your sector by doing this. 
• You will gain knowledge of who offers the most credible advice and who is most reputable. 

Photo credit (ireckon)

These three steps are just the beginning to the stair-master stepper of the internet revolution called "digital media." There's much more to the overall package of managing the new online realm. It is extremely exciting. While some folks find the constant connection and social buzz stream to be "too much," I find it to be the bees knees! For so many people, in an environment with millions unemployed, websites such as Facebook.com have acted as catalysts in aiding friends, family members, former colleagues, and future employers regain success. Connection is great via social media, so long as we use it for good...stay tuned!