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H.A.D. All-Star Awards Gala 2004Oct. 2, 2004Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, NY, NY
All-Star Charity Fashion Entertainment and Awards Gala at Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, located directly behind the world famous Lincoln Center, on Saturday, October 2nd, 2004. For the past sixteen years, the Organization had dedicated itself to helping not only those who were addicted to drugs, but also the homeless population, underprivileged youths, victims of many forms of domestic violence any many others in need of help. The show was opened with Mr. William Chu, an operatic baritone, who sang the Star Spangled Banner with a most phenomenal voice. The event drew an estimated 200+ attendees from all over the states. The mistress of ceremonies was Clarissa Santiago, Director of the Ms. Latina NY USA Organization, who introduced all of the speakers, including the Founder and Executive Director of the H.A.D. Organization, Mr. Abbey H. Muneer; and each of the honorees. One of the highlights of the show was the forum section, in which celebrities came on stage and spoke out on behalf of the cause. Celebrities included Ms. Karen Lewis, the wife of Al “Grampa” Lewis, who spoke for herself and for her husband on behalf of the youth population. Grampa, himself, was not in attendance because of the state of his health. Ms. Lewis spoke very succinctly about the need for such organizations as H.A.D. reaching out to the community in order to make a difference in the lives of others. Other speakers included JT, of JT Talent and Casting, who’s production company is currently endeavoring a feature film, entitled Organized Crime Bureau (OCB), that is scheduled for release in early spring, 2005; Vinny Bella, the actor from “The Sopranos,” who gave folks tips on the acting world; and three pageant queens, Natalia Bonilla, Miss Latina NY 2004; Camille Mangual, Teen Latina NY, 2004; and Catherine Muldoon, Miss Teen NY USA, 2004; all of who gave uplifting words of inspiration. Mr. Hopeton Lewis, world acclaimed Caribbean Gospel Singer from the beautiful island of Jamaica, also spoke, telling everyone about how he didn’t consider himself dependent upon drugs—he only drank, but later in his life, he realized that even alcohol is a drug, and is now free of “all” drugs. The rest of the show was three hours of non-stop entertainment, featuring performances by “Youths of Destiny”, who danced and sang with such gracefulness one would not believe without having seen them with their own eyes. They came on stage for a second performance later on in the show. We congratulate Ms. Vivian Natal the group’s Executive Director; Elizabeth Cruz, one of the counseling officers; and Javier Natal, Vivian’s husband, who is also the Director of Transportation Services; all who did a wonderful job in making this segment of the show a success. There was a performance by the Uribe Sisters, Lilliam and Tiffany, who were managed by their mother, Ms. Sandra Uribe. The two danced like there was no tomorrow, having the audience on their feet with applause. Later on in the show, each sister came on stage to do a performance individually, Tiffany first, who did a Latino style dance, and Lilliam later on, who sang an upbeat song in Spanish. These two girls were packed with energy. On the night of the show, the H.A.D. Organization received a proclamation from just about every one of these political figures, proclaiming October 2nd, 2004 as H.A.D. Humanitarian Day. The main highlight of the show was the Perrier, Gregory Von Perrier II, who played the saxophone almost as well as the famed Kenny G, and his sister, Victoria Alexandra Perrier, who gave a Carnegie Hall caliper performance on the violin. Keep in mind, these two kids are only 10 and 12 years of age. The duo came out for the first time playing in unison, and again later during the hat scene, in which beautiful hats were modeled by our H.A.D. models (each of the two Perrier kids also wearing a hat.) These two highly gifted kids had the crowd cheering to no end. Each of them came out again, individually, for a third performance. Gregory Von Perrier is multi-talented indeed. He was written up by the Weekly Gleaner for his superb performance at Brooklyn Borough Hall, and is capable of playing the saxophone “by ear”—i.e. he can listen to a song once or twice and then repeat it without having to read the notes. He has already won awards for his performances. Victoria Perrier, who happens to be Miss America Pre-Teen, 2002, is as talented on the violin as her brother is on the saxophone, and has performed with him at Brooklyn Borough Hall. She is also the first place winner of the New York State Music Awards Competition for 2003. Their father, who was also the music coordinator for the show’s hat scene, is Dr. Gregory Perrier, Orthopedic Surgeon, African dancing, anyone? This was definitely one of the highlights of the show. Dancers and drummers from the famed Djoniba school of African Dance and Drumming performed with an intensity that could only have originated out of the jungles of Africa. The energy these performers displayed appeared to be infinite in supply, as they moved with a fervor that was unlike anything you’ve seen before. The drum beats resonated through the entire building. What show would be complete without a world famous Gospel singer? Mr. Hopeton Lewis, the founder of the Caribbean Gospel Awards (which just held its fourth annual event this past June) sang the famed song “Rose in Spanish Harlem,” and also the “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The ambience of Mr. Lewis’s rich, Englebert Humperdink-style voice filled the entire room. Ms. Karen Lewis and “Grampa” were awarded a Humanitarian of the Year award for their diligent efforts to stand up for the cause of humanity with their weekly radio show on WBAI, 99.5FM, and their prison pen-pal program, where people are invited to write letters to prisoners. Grampa, as everyone knows, is noted mostly for his famed character on the television classic “The Munsters,” but has an in-depth background in acting, having done many shows (including “Car 54, Where are you?”) movies and stage performances, even acrobatics. Karen received the award on behalf of the two of them. The food at this event was beyond expectations, as Ms, Jacque Jones, President of Jacques’ Catering, set up the back of the auditorium so beautifully that people weren’t sure if they should look forward to the stage, or to the back, where her tables were adorned with beautiful trees, decorative houses (literally, a garden scene), amidst an array of delicious, freshly cooked entrees, including pasta, chicken, beef patties, even fresh fruits as an appetizer, and more. It was the most elegant buffet-style setup anyone has ever seen. Vinny Bella was so impressed by Jacque’s display that he is now highly interested in using her catering services during shoots of future Sopranos episodes, The music for the show was provided by Big Man Entertainment, an organization headed by Mr. Courtney W. Benjamin, a native Jamaican audio engineer, who’s music background includes everything from small, intimate DJ’ing to big band performances. H.A.D. Organization and Liberty New Online Magazine would like to take this time to thank each of its sponsors for making this show a success: Dr. Gregory Perrier, Orthopedic Surgeon, from the 910 Medical Center In conclusion, we have a strong recommendation for anyone who didn’t get a chance to see this year’s All Star Charity Fashion, Entertainment and Awards Gala, 2004—“Make it your business to attend next year’s show, in the fall of 2005.” H.A.D. is in the midst of raising money for its annual homeless charity drive, which is to take place on November 27th, 2004. The goal of the drive is to raise $5,000. Donation amounts are $30 to feed a family of two, $60 for family of four, or $120 for up to eight people. If you prefer, you may donate another amount, as every little bit donated can help. One of the beneficiaries of this drive is Labrenda Youmans, a cancer survivor who lost many of her possessions because of her illness, and is in need of your help Anyone wishing more information about the H.A.D. Organization may visit its website at www.hadofnyc.org. Anyone who would like more information about our Liberty News Online Magazine may visit the official online magazine website at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html. Your help is urgently needed. Please telephone us at (718) 507-7616 or email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org.
Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.) |
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Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., Inc, (H.A.D.) a non-profit charitable organization founded on December 1st, 1990, and Liberty News Online Magazine, a community-based online magazine established in 2001, just held their annual 
