TIGER 21 HONORED AT ANNUAL GALA TO BENEFIT STEVE’S CAMP AT HORIZON FARMS
New York TIGER 21, the premier peer-to-peer learning network for high-net-worth investors, was the honoree at the Annual Gala to benefit Steve’s Camp at Horizon Farms, recently held at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers in New York City on May 13. The program for disadvantaged youth honored TIGER 21 for its support in the camp’s creation.
Steve’s Camp is a fully funded, two-week summer camp experience in upstate New York where under-served inner city youth are given the chance to explore their potential. The camp is the brain child of New York real estate entrepreneurSteven Kessner, who grew up in the Bronx with modest means, but through opportunities presented by others, was able to attend Dartmouth College on scholarship and eventually founded a successful real estate business.
Kessner is a long-time member of TIGER 21, and sought his TIGER 21 group’s input on plans for Steve’s Camp. With their encouragement and support he followed through on his plans. As a result, Steve’s camp is now entering its fourth summer of programs.
“It is gratifying to hear that a member has received such constructive advice from his group and that it is helping to make a difference in so many lives,” said Michael Sonnenfeldt, founder of TIGER 21. “We specifically designed our meetings so that members could work through their issues and opportunities and benefit from the collective wisdom of the group. We are happy to contribute to the success of Steve’s Camp.”
In his acceptance speech at the Gala, Sonnenfeldt introduced the crowd to a handful of other TIGER 21 philanthropic stories across North America where organizations of national and international scope had been founded by other TIGER 21 Members with the support of their fellow Members. In one case, Sonnenfeldt cited Ron Bruder who was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most important people as a result of his work in creating jobs in the Middle East in an attempt to stem the tide of terrorism and fanaticism. Sonnenfeldt connected many of the TIGER 21 Members’ different philanthropic activities back to the need to support education as the most important bulwark against a bleak future.
Relating back to the Members, Sonnenfeldt mentioned that in addition to their guidance, Kessner’s peers at TIGER 21 have been generous with their financial support. This includes not only members in Steve’s group in New York City, but also members of some of TIGER 21’s groups in the 16 cities where it is established. To acknowledge their generosity and their role in the camp’s creation, TIGER 21 was made the official honoree at this year’s gala.
“I’ve always gone through life trying to help other people. We are here on earth to help each other,” says Kessner. “We need to give back because we have the means to do so and many of my peers at TIGER 21 share similar philosophies. Without the encouragement of my TIGER 21 group, Steve’s Camp might not have become a reality.”
Steve Kessner is the founder of Steve's Camp at Horizon Farms.
