NEW YORK — The Ronald McDonald House New York held its 23rd annual gala on Monday night at the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom and raised $6 million.
Emanuel Chirico, chairman and chief executive officer of PVH Corp., was one of the honorees and was introduced by his sons Dominic, Michael and Vincent Chirico.
“In the office our father is a well-respected business man, but at home, after taking off that Calvin Klein suit, he’s a dad,” said Vincent Chirico.
Dominic Chirico, who serves as controller of the underwear group at PVH Corp., recalled the day he and his brothers found out their father was diagnosed with lymphoma.
“Our dad approached his illness with bravery and perseverance,” said Dominic Chirico. “The hardest part he had to deal with is that he lost all of his hair.”
Emanuel Chirico thanked his sons and humbly stated why he was being celebrated that night.
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“You have to be an egomaniac to think you are being honored because you are a great guy. I know my role is selling tables and we sold a lot of tables tonight,” said Chirico. “But if you’ve ever been touched by cancer, you know the emotional strain it puts on you personally. Now imagine if it’s your child.”
Earlier in the night, Tina Lundgren, the wife of Macy’s Inc. chairman and ceo Terry J. Lundgren who was recently elected as chairman of the Ronald McDonald House New York, outlined plans for the nonprofit, which include a $30 million investment to expand its services over the next three years. She also honored her mother, who was celebrating her 85th birthday that evening, and her husband.
“Instead of giving you flowers, Terry, I’m going to give you a bucket of golf balls. The goal is not to use them all this weekend,” she said.
Keith S. Sherin, chairman and ceo of GE Capital, and vice chairman of GE, was also honored.
Other attendees included Trish Wescoat Pound and Jesse Cole of Haute Hippie; Tommy Mottola, ceo of Casablanca Records and his wife, singer Thalia Sodi; Stacey Bendet Eisner, ceo and creative director of Alice + Olivia; Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, and Louise Camuto of Camuto Group.