The industry’s leading lights came together last month 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, 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, Renovated Homes’ 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, Sharif El Gamal, JDS’ Michael Stern and many others.
“I was really nervous about picking up the phone and asking people for money,” 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 helps provide 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.”