March 3, 2014
By Dr. Leonard Golubchick
On Thursday January 29, 2014 luminaries from around the tri-state area gathered to pay tribute to Sophie Gerson a noted physical educator and school board member at a cocktail reception in Henry Buhl’s loft to support the Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth Foundation.
At this reception our newly elected Manhattan Borough President, Gail Brewer, addressed the overflow crowd of foundation supporters with words of support and encouragement. Alan Gerson , former Council Member, and Ayo Harrington, noted parent advocate, were the emcees. Honored at this event were Hon. Po Ling Ng, Dr. Irwin Redlener, Jacques D’Amboise, Rebbetzin and Karen Wald Cohen.
The foundation benefits physical fitness of middle school youth (particularly young women) through sports and dance. Alan Gerson and others have established the Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth Foundation in order to provide scholarships for tennis, dance and volleyball and basketball programs. Several Middle School youth have already benefited from this program by being granted scholarships to summer tennis, dance camp and volleyball and basketball camps.
Plans are being made to expand the program which would include collaboration with the New York City Space and Science Center which was originally developed and funded by Alan Gerson when he was in the City Council. Scholarships would be provided for an intensive science and sports summer program with a particular emphasis on encouraging young women to study science.
The Foundation funds are administered by the by the no-profit Fund for Public Schools. Donations are 100% tax deductible and donations can be made SGHY, 505 LaGuardia Place, #20A, New York, NY 10012 or donate on-line to fundforpublicschools.org under donation information, designee Priorities of the Fund for Public Schools and write Sophie Gerson.
