Casita Maria gala honors Hunt Slonem and raises over $200,000 in one night

Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education brought its sold-out Fiesta! Gala back to The Plaza in New York on Oct. 21, 2026, honoring artist Hunt Slonem, philanthropist Sonia Gutt de Haime and Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas. The event raised the most in its history, including a $100,000 commitment from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and more than $200,000 in a paddle raise.

Why it matters: - Casita Maria’s annual gala is a key fundraiser for the South Bronx nonprofit’s arts and education programs. - The sold-out event set a new fundraising high, adding momentum to the organization’s nearly century-long work with children and families in New York City. - The evening also spotlighted donors and cultural figures whose support helps sustain free programming, academic support and career preparation for young people.

What happened: - Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education held its Fiesta! Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York on Oct. 21, 2026. - The sold-out benefit celebrated the organization’s 92nd anniversary. - Event chairs Jackie Weld Drake, Jean Shafiroff and HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia presided over the gala. - The gala honored artist Hunt Slonem, philanthropist Sonia Gutt de Haime and Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, who received the Jackie Weld Drake Living Legend Award.

The details: - The gala raised the most to date for the annual event. - Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas announced that the Rockefeller Brothers Fund had committed $100,000 to Casita Maria. - A paddle raise led by Paul Florez brought in more than $200,000 on the spot. - Music came from Bob Hardwick Sound, and the evening emphasized dancing over long speeches. - Jean Shafiroff attended in a Malan Breton turquoise ballgown. - Notable attendees included Casita Maria board members George Corton, Alberto Mariaca, Patrick Moran, Gautam Patel, Darlyn Portes and Thomas Quick, along with Executive Director Felix Urrutia and Artistic Director Gail Heidel. - Other attendees listed by the organization included Frederick Anderson, Martha Bograd, Jimmy Borynak, Halim Bulos, Gabriel Rivera Barraza, Estrellita and Daniel Brodsky, Sharon Bush, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Fe and Alessandro Fendi, Gloria and Carey Fieldcamp, Sissi Fleitas, Roberta Houghton, Kamie Lightburn, Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Elizabeth Meigher, Juan Montoya, Maribel Lieberman, Victor Roquette, Marc Rosen, Mary Snow, Adrienne and Gigi Vittadini, Saundra Whitney, Hal Witt and Adolfo Zaralegui. - Over the years, Fiesta! has honored figures including Audrey Hepburn, Margot Fonteyn, Oscar de la Renta, Paloma Picasso, Gloria Estefan, Mary McFadden and Baz Luhrmann. - Casita Maria was founded in 1934 and is the first charitable organization to serve the Latino community in New York City. - The organization is based in the South Bronx and provides free arts and education programs, academic support, arts training, paid teen apprenticeships, career readiness and college and workforce preparation. - The organization’s website is more information.

Between the lines: - The guest list and tribute lineup show Casita Maria’s pull across New York’s arts, philanthropy and fashion circles. - Hunt Slonem’s recognition fits the gala’s long pattern of honoring high-profile cultural names while tying their work to the organization’s mission. - The strong paddle-raise response suggests donors were willing to turn the anniversary celebration into an immediate funding boost.

What's next: - Casita Maria will continue using gala proceeds to support its arts, education and youth development programs. - The organization is likely to keep Fiesta! as a marquee event for fundraising and community visibility. - The new fundraising benchmark gives Casita Maria a higher target to match in future celebrations.

The bottom line: - Casita Maria turned its 92nd-anniversary gala into its biggest fundraiser yet, pairing high-wattage honors with a strong donor response and a clear pitch for the organization’s next chapter.