Taste of Spring Benefit: 2009

On May 14, 2009, Institute supporters got to mingle with stars including Hugh Jackman, Bette Midler and Kristin Chenoweth while tasting gourmet foods prepared and served in person by master chefs Jean-Georges Vongrichten, David Burke, Jonathan Waxman and Zarela Martinez, among others.

This year's "Taste of Spring," the Institute's major fund raising event of the year, was a success in every sense, bringing together old friends of the Institute and creating new ones, and raising almost $400,000 to support vital programs to improve adoption policy and practice. Board members Kimberly Donaldson, Kathleen Hricik, Caroline Fitzgibbons, and Sandra McManus were the event's Co-Chairs. The Honorary Chairs included Institute Board member Jurate Kazickas and her husband Roger Altman, Board member Jim Stevens and wife Mimi, and Institute supporters Jane and Bill Donaldson.

This year's Honorary Co-Chairs included adoptive parents and adoption advocates Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, who also spoke at the event; Daryl McDaniels (DMC of Run DMC), advocate for adoptee rights and foster children; and last year's honorees, Tony-award-winning Broadway star Christine Ebersole and her husband, musician and composer Bill Moloney (also adoptive parents).

The event's Corporate honoree was Wendy's, founder and supporter of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The Institute also honored Chef Cyril Renaud, who was participating in Taste of Spring for the fifth consecutive year. Cyril surprised the gathering by announcing that he and his wife are in the process of adopting a child.

To look at the event's invitation and program, listing all the event's honorees, featured restaurants, wine donors and supporters, click here.

Kristin Chenoweth, Mike McManus, Jr., and Event Co-Chair Sandy McManus	Executive Director Adam Pertman, Honorary Chair Bill Donaldson and Honorary Co-Chair Hugh Jackman
Event Co-Chair Sandy McManus hands award to Denny Lynch, representing Corporate Honoree Wendy's	Event Co-Chair Kim Donaldson presents the award to Honoree Chef Cyril Renaud
Adoption Institute Board President Susan Notkin, Event Co-Chair and Board Member Sandy McManus, Honorary Chairs Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman, Executive Director Adam Pertman	Event Co-Chair and Board Member Kathleen Hricik, Institute Executive Director Adam Pertman, Institute Supporter Bette Midler, and Event Honorary Co-Chair and Board Member Jurate Kazickas