The Floating Hospital Summer Gala 2026—Celebrating our 160th
Light blue pattern, taken from the plasterwork at the Edison Ballroom
Cocktails, Dinner, and the Ellington Legacy Band
Tuesday, June 2, 2026. 6:00pm to 9:30pm
The Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036

Auction: Indulge in a luxury vacation to reconnect and recharge 

Imagine yourself in two of the most captivating international destinations: the sun-washed Tuscan countryside or the pristine Caribbean beaches of Tulum.

We invite you to bid on two luxury vacations offering an unhurried bliss that lingers long after your return. Each select destination is steeped in history with unparalleled vistas and its own reputation for exceptional cuisine, featuring the finest local ingredients.

Tuscany, Italy, showing images from the villa

Option 1

Gather family and friends for a week “under the Tuscan sun” outside the stunning hill town of Cortona.

  • Seven nights in a 4-bedroom, 4-bath Tuscan villa with housekeeping, a breakfast chef, and concierge service.

  • A private pool, evening cooking class with dinner, and full-day wine tour with lunch and transportation are included.

  • Soak in the breathtaking countryside and relax, recreate, or tour a region famed for inspiring artists, oenophiles, and epicureans for centuries.

  • Great for 4 couples or 2 small families.

Tulum, Mexico, showing images from the villa

Option 2

Escape to your week-long retreat in Tulum, Mexico, known for its dramatic Mayan ruins and perch atop the Caribbean.

  • A 7-night stay in 4-bedroom, 3-bath beachfront villa with pool, and maid service.

  • A private chef at your disposal offering unlimited food and drinks, created with local ingredients.

  • The newly renovated space includes high-speed internet and central air conditioning.

  • Beachside massages, nature tours, and fishing excursions are available to book.

*You do not need to be at the event to bid. Absentee bids must be placed by May 28 and secured with a credit card. Reach out to Ann-Louise Lipman for further details: alipman@thefloatinghospital.org or 917.742.9820

Sponsors

To inquire about sponsoring this year’s event, please reach out to Ann-Louise Lipman, alipman@thefloatinghospital.org or 718-784-2240, ext. 215


BENEFACTOR


CHAMPION


VISIONARY

Karen & Doug Seidman 


PATRON

Shannon & Philip LaRocco

Amy De Shong


ANCHOR

Belita Brown-Knight

Beltramini Family 

Sarajane Brittis, PhD

Sean T. Granahan, Esq 

Irish Business Organization of New York

Gloria Jackson

UNFCU

The number 1866, against a red background
River Belle, The Floating Hospital's first ship
Little Mother, holding her younger sister, 1890s
1950s: Two boys looking over the railing onboard the ship
Small girl holding Paddington Bear, at our clinic in 2025
The number 2026, against a light blue background

For 160 years, The Floating Hospital has provided healthcare, education, and relief services to New Yorkers who need them most. This summer, we celebrate not only how far we’ve come—but the course we chart next. You are invited to join us for an elegant evening marking our milestone anniversary and embracing our theme, 160 & Rising–Your Support, Their Futures—a tribute to your generosity, which has uplifted countless families, and the futures still waiting to be shaped. Together, we will honor our past, envision what’s ahead, and recognize the philanthropic spirit that continues to ensure children and families have access to care, stability, and opportunity.

A montage of happy faces from our 2025 summer event