Sandra Lee, Multi-Emmy Award-winning TV Host and Best-Selling Author Honored by The Bowery Mission

Feb. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- On Thursday, February 14, at The Plaza, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host and New York Times best-selling author Sandra Lee was honored by The Bowery Mission at its 14th Annual Valentine Gala. She joined 350 friends and guests to raise $780,000 to date for the Mission’s work with men, women and children in need.

Sandra Lee has been a tireless and long-time advocate of The Bowery Mission and other organizations serving New York’s homeless and hungry.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Sandra Lee provided relief to hundreds of people receiving help from The Bowery Mission through her volunteer service, corporate partners, and public advocacy.

“The Bowery Mission staff and volunteers were absolute heroes during Hurricane Sandy, making sure that homeless and displaced men, women and children had hot meals and safe shelter – even after the Mission lost power,” says Ms. Lee. “And they are everyday heroes in the fight against hunger. I am proud to be associated with The Bowery Mission and I am honored by this award.”

The Bowery Mission Valentine Gala is a 14-year New York tradition, attended by New York’s corporate, philanthropic, and government leaders.

Special guests included Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, CNBC’s Emmy Award-winner Maria Bartiromo, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winner Judith Light, Arianna Huffington, Liz Smith, Martha Stewart, and The Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir.

Event Chair Veronica Kelly and Honorary Chair Irwin D. Simon, CEO of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. are both previous honorees of this event.

About The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879. The Mission has played a key role in challenging times from the Great Depression to the 9/11 terror attacks and now, Hurricane Sandy. This year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 369,200 meals, 79,300 nights of shelter and 53,200 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care. Each meal and every night of shelter is an invitation to its residential recovery programs, where lives are transformed from hopelessness to hope. Three residential programs house 180 men and women who are regaining sobriety, reconnecting with family and faith, pursuing educational goals, and preparing for work and independent living. www.bowery.org