The first annual "Moonlight Gala" benefiting CARE - Children With Special Needs - took place at Casa Cipriani on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 in the Great Hall ballroom. The gala, hosted by Midtown Equities’ real estate powerhouse Michael Cayre, world renown artist and NFT creator Roy Nachum and MegaMoon Museum, and global hospitality leader Richie Akiva, who curated the evening. Investor Patrick Finnegan and art dealer Helly Nahmad also served as chairs of the event. The gala honored respected crypto world entrepreneurs Ivan Soto-Wright of MoonPay and Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX.

 

A headlining performance took place by Grammy winning recording artist Miguel, with opening remarks by Mayor Eric Adams and CARE founder Meyer Safdieh with wife Victoria Safdieh, which had the room emotional. The program was emceed by retail mogul and known New York philanthropist, Harry Adjmi. 

 

The 450 person gala, which was adorned with deep blue satin table-scapes, white florals, candles and violinists, hosted by Cayre, Akiva and Nachum, raised over $7 Million dollars for CARE organization. Hospitality entrepreneur Richie Akiva who also chaired the evening and hosted the lavish afterparty, spoke on stage during the gala about his work with CARE and the cause.

 

Due to the generosity of attendees, CARE is facilitating grants to over 18 diverse organizations including: Make-A-Wish, Columbia University Pediatrics, Child Mind Institute and Reach for the Stars Learning Center, among many others. 

 

The evening’s live auction was led by Sotheby's and featured incredible artwork including original pieces from Vito Schnabel Gallery by Jordy Kerwick ($75k value) and Fransesco Clemente ($150k value), an Alec Monopoly "Godfather" painting ($120k value), an Enoc Perez `Untitled 2014” and Martin Mull “Black Moshanon 2000” courtesy of Tico Mugrabi (Valued at $66k), and two original Peter Tunney pieces, “It’s All Good'' and “Show Me The Monet,” (Valued at $110k). 

 

On the NFT front, MegaMoon Museum auctioned off an original Roy Nachum “Moon Ranger” oil painting, digital video and NFT combination package ($550k value), followed by a BAYC NFT Bored Ape courtesy of FTX, with a rarity score of over 340, which went for $460k. 

 

The live auction also featured high end watches such as an Astronomia Solar Planets Zodiac luxury watch by Jacob Arabo (Jacob & Co) valued at $350k, a Patek Philippe 6168G Blue Dial watch ($165k value) and both a Rolex GMT Master II 2022 ($25k value) and Rolex Cellini King Midas ($25k), all courtesy of Allan Mendlowitz. The last portion featured one of a kind experiences such as a private box suite for 18 to see Harry Styles at MSG ($50k value), a private jet + trip to Bacalar, Mexico for four nights with three luxury villas at Habitas ($125k value), a NYFW experience with supermodel Gigi Hadid, an indulgent staycation package for two nights in the Presidential Suite at Casa Cipriani complete with massages and dinners for two in the $7k per night luxury suite ($25k value). 

 

MegaMoon Museum, the evening's title partner which helped raise over $3.5 million on their end alone for the gala, founded by Nachum and Cayre, is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of digital art and NFTs. The museum, to be located in New York City located at the base of The World Trade Center directly across from Oculus, set to open in 2023, will provide the largest immersive space for the creative community and will be the first institutional space to educate, exhibit and sell NFTs.

 

Event partners included FTX, Akiva’s new SOCIETE ultra exclusive membership club, Vito Schnabel Gallery, Jacob & Co., Give Well, Moonpay, MegaMoon Museum and MegaMoon Crown Kids.

 

Additional VIPS in attendance included Paolo Zampolli, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gigi Hadid, Evan Mock, Moj Mahdara, Luma Grothe, Jacob Arabo, Patrick Carroll, Bo Dietl, Margo Urban, Eytan Rockaway, Ju Wong, Cami Tellez, Gabby Westbrook, Inga Rubenstein, Marta Pozzan, Nastya Swan, Sophie Sumner, Madi Webb, Natalia Bulycheva, Susanne Knipper, Julia Banas, Regitze Christensen, Mary Leest, Giuseppe Giofre, Enly Tammela and many more.

 

Following dinner were remarks by host Michael Cayre, and an incredible performance by Grammy winning recording artist Miguel to close out the evening’s programming, before transitioning into the after party space.

 

Gala attendees were greeted to an after party overlooking the beautiful seaport through Casa Cipriani’s sky high windows, with DJ sets by Juske and Rachel Winters.

 

CARE's Mission is to help parents of children with autism, seizures, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, development delay and undiagnosed disorders. Families turn to CARE as the multitude of challenges affect them and their family for the first step. They meet with each family and customize a plan, offering emotional and material support, holding their hand through their journey, offering grants to qualifying families. Some examples of support include school placement guidance, volunteers to the home, counseling referrals and support groups, assisting to coordinate state funding for the families with nursing, SSI, comhab and more, help secure eligibility for the government services and programs, etc.

www.careforspecial.org