The Rainbow Room in preparation for the 75th Annual Bal des Berceaux Gala.

​                                                                                                                                                                                   Writer: Yerelyn Cortez Hidalgo
 
The French-American Aid For Children (FAAFC) celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Bal des Berceaux at the Rainbow Room last Friday, April 29th.  This year, FAAFC presented The Storefront Academy’s 50th Anniversary with the 2016 Children Come First Award. 


The evening was a truly beautiful experience as guests were dressed in impeccable long gowns which was appropriate since the event took place at the newly renovated Rainbow Room which is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. A lot of the attendees have been supporting the event as they come every year to attend the annual gala. 


The event commenced with cocktail hour and guests were able to mingle as well as have a chance to view some artwork being auctioned off prior to the seated dinner at the main chandelier room. Guests enjoyed an array of appetizers including Parmesan Profiteroles with Herbed Goat Cheese, Cones with Avocado Mousse, Red Radish & Pickled Cucumber, Peekytoe Crab “Louis” in a Little Butter Gem Lettuce Cup, Petit Lobster Roll with Simple Lemon Mayo & Celery, Petit Filet of Seared Beef with Romesco on Crostini, Torchon of Foie Gras with Walnut-Fig Toast, Fig Jam & Aged Balsamic Syrup. The backdrop was New York City with a beautiful view of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and the cityscape.


The newly renovated Rainbow Room graciously accommodates 300 guests for a seated dinner and 270 guests for a seated dinner with dancing. The event started with the US National Anthem sung by Faith Houssou from Storefront Academy. She was followed by Kristina Alexandra Gliklad singing the French National Anthem.


For the first course guests enjoyed a Duet Of: Layered Tartares of Atlantic Salmon & Bluefish Tuna and Salad of Cabbage, Baby Bok Choy, Kale, Julienne Vegetables & 5-Spice Vinaigrette. We then received an introduction by FAAFC President, Marguerie Mangin. For the entree selection, an exquisite Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb with Market Vegetable Casserole, Spring Onion Pommes Mousseline & Rosemary Jus. The vegetarian option was Baked Celery Root & Sunchokes with Gnocchi Swiss Chard, Black Truffle & Toasted Celery Crumble. Last but not least, the dessert included a Trio selection including Tahitian Vanilla Cheesecake, 70% Chocolate Gateau and Lemon Raspberry Tart.


“We are truly blessed by the amazing generosity of our guests.  The support of all of our sponsors and the dedication of all our volunteers is what makes this yearly event such a perennial success,” said Marguerite Mangin.

The Bal des Berceaux is an annual fundraising gala that currently raises money for seven children’s charities in both United States and France.

FAAFC honored The Storefront Academy Harlem for its 50 years of exemplary education for the young children of Harlem.  FAAFC has been supporting Storefront Academy for the last 34 years since 1982.  Elsie Aidinoff, Ray Cameron and Elisa Istueta were in attendance.


​The Master of Ceremonies was the eminent Television broadcast journalist and author Mark Ellwood.  The US charities include:

- Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club: an after-school activity center in the Bronx where teens and youngsters learn to recognize and develop their potentials.
- Storefront Academy Harlem: a private, tuition-free school in Harlem with programs from pre-school to 8th grade.
- The Children's Village: a residential care and treatment center for neglected, battered and abused children in judicial care, reeducating families to reintegrate their children back into a safe home life.

This 75th Gala was under the patronage of His Excellencies Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France to the United States, Francois Delattre, Ambassador of France to the United Nations, and the Consul General of France in New York, Bertrand Lortholary.  


The event wouldn't be complete until the crowd would get up and go to the ballroom to dance the remaining of the evening while listening to the Lester Lanin Orchestra play an array of music.























Corporate supporters included: Air France, Altour, Baccarat, Bally, Crédit Agricole CIB, Crédit Industriel et Commercial, Dassault Falcon, The Denoyer Group, Ferragamo, French-American Chamber of Commerce,, Givenchy, Guibert & Co, Halstead Property, Hermès, Hotel Le Bristol, International Flavors and Fragances, Lalique , Laura Mercier, Logfret, Longchamp, Lycée Francais de New York, La Maison du Chocolat, Metrowine, O’Connor Davies, P.E. Guerin, Realty Purchase, Stribling & Associates, Société Générale, Swann Auction Galleries, US Trust, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Yves Saint Laurent Beauté.

ABOUT STOREFRONT ACADEMY HARLEM

The Storefront Academy was founded in 1966 in vibrant Harlem to create a safe space for young children.  In 1981, Storefront Academy expanded into an elementry school to provide educational opportunities along with enrichment programs, preparing young children academically, socially, and emotionally to become critical thinkers, high-achievers, and well-rounded individuals.  Working in partnership with families and community members, Storefront Academy instills a powerful sense of self, and gives its students the tools to own the future and create meaningful adult lives.  As a result of nearly 50 years of success, in September 2015 Storefront Academy opened a charter school in the South Bronx.

ABOUT FAAFC

French-American Aid for Children, Inc. “Children Come First” (FAAFC), is a New York 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. FAAFC is composed of volunteers and has been in existence for the past 77 years. FAAFC’s primary purpose is to provide financial assistance to vetted children’s charities promoting the health, education and prevention of abuse of children in both United States and in France.  The funds donated by FAAFC are earmarked for specific projects and their use is closely monitored.  As the sole non-profit organization in America which has been generously donating time and funds to children’s charities in France and in the United States, FAAFC follows a long-standing tradition of fundraising for neglected, abused, and sick children.

ABOUT BAL DES BERCEAUX

The annual Bal des Berceaux was first held in 1942 and has been FAAFC's main fundraising event ever since.  Nearly half a million dollars were raised at last year’s gala.  All funds are used to further FAAFC’s mission.  The event attracts French and American dignitaries as well as distinguished guests from New York and community leaders from around the world.  In the past, international debutantes made their introduction into society.

The 2016 Bal des Berceaux marked not only the FAAFC’s 75th anniversary, but also the Storefront Academy’s 50th anniversary and their successful mission to improve the lives of underserved New York City children through educational and developmental schooling.

This year’s successful gala was once again chaired by FAAFC’s President, Marguerite Mangin, and Co-chaired by Lucila Vollbrechthausen and Margarita Somnolet. The event featured the entertainment by the Children from Kips Bay Company performance. The Live Auction was conducted by Nicholas Lowry, President of Swann Galleries, and featured items donated by Adlers Jewelers, Air France, Alex Sepkus, Baccarat, Le Bristol Hotel, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Kaviari, La Mamounia, Lalique, and Viking Cruises among many others. 

Photography by Arielle Bob-Willis from LUXXELIVING.

​​​French American Aid for Children Hosts

75th Annual  Bal des Berceaux at the Rainbow Room
 Storefront Academy receives "Children Come First Award"