Seleni Institute’s First Annual Spooky Spectacular A Great Success
Hundreds of New York City families celebrated Halloween while raising money and awareness to support maternal mental health
November 3, 2016
On October 31, 2016, the Seleni Institute held its first annual Halloween party, the Spooky Spectacular. The event sold out, with over 500 children and adults in attendance. The event was held at 583 Park Avenue in Manhattan. All of the proceeds from Spooky Spectacular will directly support Seleni’s financial assistance and free public programs for women and their families.
Guests were greeted by a photo booth at the entrance, and ventured between Halloween-themed activity stations, pumpkin bouncy houses, and a nonstop family dance party. An elegant floral tent provided by the event's corporate sponsor, Roberto Cavalli, complimented the magnificent space. Guests decorated (and then enjoyed) personalized “Cavalli cat” cookies throughout the evening. New York City’s Craft Studio sponsored a spider-decorating activity, and there were game booths featuring Halloween mask-decorating, glow-in-the-dark magic wands, bean bag tosses, prizes, and candy. Kids munched on finger foods and sweet snacks throughout the evening, while adults were able to enjoy spirits and light fare.
Guests also received a gift bag with items generously donated from Sprinkle’s Cupcakes, Sweaty Betty, Chantecaille, Armarium, L’Occitane, Ella’s Kitchen, Earth’s Best, and Seleni's media sponsor, Manhattan Magazine. Trader Joe’s and Lisa’s on 2nd also donated décor for the event. Celebrities and notable New Yorkers who attended the event included: Drew Barrymore, Shoshanna Gruss, Travis Acquavella, Emilia Fanjul Pfeifler, and Alexandra Lind Rose all of whom were thrilled to have fun with their families while supporting Seleni’s mission.
“We are so grateful for this outpouring of community support,” said Nitzia Logothetis, founder and interim chief executive officer of the Seleni Institute. “Thanks to all of our generous sponsors and participants, the Spooky Spectacular will provide care previously unavailable to thousands of women and families.”
Event hosts included Seleni Founder and Interim CEO Nitzia Logothetis, founding co-chairs Lily Band, Julia Kay Goodman, Mary Kitchen, Alexandra Kotur, Lara Meiland-Shaw, Jana Pasquel de Shapiro, and McCartney Wilkins.
Additional Co-chairs for the event included Natalia Andueza, Adriana Desmarais, Jahanaz Jaffer, and Amalia Konstantinou-Pisante. Committee members for the event were Eleni Andreopoulou, Cheyne Munk Beys, Elizabeth Bonner, Andrea Burns, Carolina de Neufville, Evette Ferguson, Jennifer Harris, Susanna Hong, Roxana Lamb, Tina Livanos, Alexandra Mondre, Eugenie Niven Goodman, Christina Potter, Maria Rappa, Alexandra Rose, Amanda Schumacher, Erica Silverman, Lauren VanHoy, and Ellie Moschos Vrondissis.
