The industry’s leading lights came together last week to honor The Real Deal’s Amir Korangy for his commitment to supporting families of seriously ill children. Korangy received the Child’s Champion Award from the Ronald McDonald House New York, which provides housing and support services for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Korangy’s goal was to raise $100,000 for the foundation —a figure he well exceeded thanks to the support of industry players such as the Peebles Corporation’s Don Peebles, Red Apple Group’s John Catsimatidis, Douglas Elliman’s Howard Lorber, Joseph Moinian of the Moinian Group, Cushman & Wakefield’s Bruce Mosler, HFF’s Eric Anton, the Stahl Organization’s Lee Stahl, Rapid Realty’s Anthony Lolli, JLL’s Mitch Konsker, Eastern Consolidated’s Daun Paris, Ackman-Ziff’s Simon Ziff, Kramer Levin’s Jay Neveloff, Town Residential’s Andrew Heiberger, and many others.
“I was really nervous about picking up the phone and asking people for cash,” Korangy said upon receiving his accolade. “But I soon learned I was pretty good at it.” What made the fundraising task easier, he said, was his belief in the cause.
Through the donations, the Ronald McDonald House provides psychological care, wellness programs, music, art, transportation and many other activities for children struggling with their cancer diagnosis, and serves as a resource for their parents as well.
“Hearing the kids’ stories and what the Ronald McDonald house does for them touched me,” Korangy said. “And I’m not easily touched.”
![Howard Lorber with Elliman's Jennie Gourin](https://static.therealdeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/AE3U8498.CR2_.jpg)
Howard Lorber with Elliman’s Jennie Gourin [credit: Benno Klandt]
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Amir Korangy with Joseph Moinian and Bruce Mosler [credit: Benno Klandt]
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Korangy with event honoree Miles Lima and his mother [credit: Benno Klandt]
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John Catsimatidis with Eric Anton of HFF [credit: Benno Klandt]