Back From New York

Just got back from SNAP's first New York City fundraiser, and it was a huge success. The energy and commitment of our guests are an inspiration to keep up the work of effecting progressive change. And the funds we raised tonight will enable four more students to devote their summer full time to that work.

Geraldine Ferraro struck a chord with everyone in the room when she said:

I wasn't a student activist in college because my father had died when I was eight and I had to work some nights, most weekends and every summer to help my mother financially. That's why I'm glad that with the help of SNAP, students who are financially strapped as I was, can still participate in the process.

The final numbers are still coming in, but we can already announce that tonight's event raised over $10,000. That's a major step forward towards causing the kind of change we know is possible this summer. But we still have a ways to go. Your donation is crucial to making that possible.

As Carolyn Maloney told the crowd:

SNAP is empowering the next generation of progressive leaders, and it's ensuring that those leaders will be as diverse and dynamic as this country.

Special thanks to Congresswomen Ferraro and Maloney, to the Vladeck family, to our event committee - Gloria Steinem, Sean Patrick Maloney, and Representatives Gary Ackerman and Jerrold Nadler - and to our hosts: Elisabeth Kalogris, Presta Bansal, Brian Ellner, Mickey Dobbs, Felice Gaer, Robert Rifkind, Nancy Rubin, and Shelley Rubin.

Look out for an upcoming SNAP fundraiser near you - or let us know if you want to host one yourself!

Meanwhile, check out these pictures: