Congratulations to K.I.D.S.!

Internationally renowned children’s charity Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), celebrated its 25th anniversary at a Gala on December 1 in New York, NY at Cipriani Dolci, raising about $1 million to help benefit children in need.

Gayle King, editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine and host of The Gayle King Show, hosted 650 guests including the mayor of Newark, NJ, Cory Booker -the event’s keynote speaker.

The organization also raised close to $3 million in new product toward its 2010 goal of $100 million of new merchandise to distribute to needy children.

As part of the event, K.I.D.S. honored three industry leaders for their exceptional contributions to help underprivileged and disaster-struck children, including  John Goodman, executive vice president of Sears Holding Corporation; Oscar Feldenkreis, president and CEO of Perry Ellis Corporation; and Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of footwear charity Soles4Souls. A special service award was given to Karen Bromley, principal of The Bromley Group and K.I.D.S. board member, for her 25 years of continuous service to the organization.

-Janet Muniz