Aug. 19 is deadline to buy Cruise for Hope tickets

The cruise, which honors retailer Simon Kaplan, will tour Manhattan

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 29, 2011

Simon Kaplan

NEW YORK — Tickets are selling fast as the Aug. 19 deadline approaches for the Northeast Cruise for Hope, a Sept. 10 event that will honor retail veteran Simon Kaplan and will raise money for City of Hope, according to organizers.

Kaplan is president of Dayton, N.J.-based Crest Furniture, a Top 100 company operating seven Value City Furniture stores and six Ashley Furniture HomeStores in New Jersey.

The three-hour dinner cruise around Manhattan was organized by the National Home Furnishings Industry chapter of City of Hope to raise funds for the medical center, a leading research, treatment and education facility for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Aug. 19 is the deadline to make reservations for the cruise.

"It is really heartwarming to see how our industry is getting behind this important cause and our event. We are seeing commitments and expressions of interest from all corners of the industry, from suppliers, manufacturers and retailers, which we believe due to the high regard Simon is held by his peers in the industry," said Patrick Cory, managing partner at Cory's 1st Choice and chairman of City of Hope's Northeast region.

The Saturday evening cruise will depart from Shipyard Marina in Hoboken, N.J., and will feature fine dining, dancing and entertainment. Guests aboard the Cornucopia Cruise Line yacht will see expansive views of lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, South Street Seaport and Brooklyn Bridge. Tour guides to answer questions and present the history and stories behind the sights.

The cruise, which will closely coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, will incorporate a memorial in its program.

Proceeds from Cruise for Hope will support lifesaving research and treatment programs at City of Hope. Nearing its centennial, the institution has been a model for scientific discovery and compassionate care for those facing cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Among many breakthroughs, City of Hope's research has led to new, more effective therapies. Numerous cancer drugs, including Herceptin and Rituxan, and synthetic human insulin used by millions worldwide with diabetes, are based on technology and research pioneered at City of Hope.

"I am deeply moved by the difference being made by the extraordinary City of Hope scientists and caregivers in the ways life-threatening diseases are researched and treated," said Kaplan, who recently toured the City of Hope campus in Los Angeles and met with staff. "Knowing that we can raise a significant amount of money to enhance these efforts and help give families their lives back is humbling and inspiring."

In addition to Cory, event co-chairs include Russell Bienenstock of Furniture World, Chris DeLisa of Cory's 1st Choice, Bill Hartman of Furniture First and Edward Massood of Thomasville Home Furnishings of New Jersey.

To register for Cruise for Hope or inquire about sponsorship, contact Beth Ida Stern, senior director of development, City of Hope, at (213) 241-7192 or bstern@coh.org.