The Anniversary Dinner is our Council’s largest annual fundraising initiative, allowing us to continue our mission of supporting the sea services.

Photos by David Gordon

Thank you to all who joined the New York Council and our Honorary Co-Chairs — Christopher Kastner of HII and Joe Purcell — on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the historic Plaza Hotel to celebrate 121 years of citizens in support of the sea services. This year, we had the privilege of honoring Colonel Jack Jacobs, USA (Ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient, with our Council’s RADM J. Robert Lunney Patriot’s Award. Tom Higgins, Head of General Services at Fiserv, received the Leadership in Support of the Military Award. Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and Rear Admiral Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College, were the inaugural recipients of our Council’s Maritime Service Award.

Funds raised from our Anniversary Dinners go toward new and developing programs that educate the public and our elected leaders on the importance of the sea services, foster youth leadership development and, most importantly, support sea service personnel, their families and their units. We’re financially independent from our national organization, so money given locally is used locally. 2024 initiatives will include:

  • Financial and mentorship support of more than 1,500 local JROTC cadets, Sea Cadets and Young Marines

  • Morale events throughout the year for local and visiting military units, including Fleet Week New York

  • Advocacy with elected officials for sea service priorities

  • Public education on national security issues, including the 2nd Annual Maritime Security Conference

Thank you to our table sponsors, dinner journal advertisers and auction donors, whose generosity provided crucial funding for our fleet support, education & advocacy, and youth programs. And thank you to our volunteers and guests who made the night a success. We look forward to welcoming you again next year.

Thank you to our 2023 dinner sponsors for their generous contributions. please consider joining them in 2024 to support the sea services.

 

Tom and Cindy Secunda Family Foundation

 

MILIO MANAGEMENT LLC

 
 

Mr. Gary Kilberg

We earned a 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency! Learn more about our organization’s impact through our #NonprofitProfile on @CandidDotOrg: https://www.guidestar.org/Profile/82-2409006