Many thanks to Richard Gelfond, to our sponsors
and to everyone who joined us for this exciting evening!

NYLCV celebrated our most successful gala ever this week, thanks to outstanding support from our sponsors and many guests.

Richard Gelfond, center, received our 2012 Environmental Champion Award.A galaxy of luminaries from the worlds of environmental advocacy, philanthropy, government and business leadership shined at the Celebrating a Greener New York Gala, which was held at Pier Sixty/Chelsea Piers on May 21.

NYLCV presented our 2012 Environmental Champion Award to Richard Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corporation. Through his films, Gelfond has inspired millions of people of all ages to take greater care of our natural resources. Gelfond has also worked tirelessly to educate the public about the link between the health of our environment and his own personal health, particularly when it comes to mercury in the fish we eat.

Gelfond was introduced by Dr. Richard Leakey, a renowned conservationist and scion of the famous Leakey family of anthropologists. Leakey spoke about the challenges of climate change as well as his work at the Turkana Basin Institute, based at Stony Brook University and Kenya.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was our special guest.We were also honored to be joined by two special guests. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who oversees the state's pension fund, spoke about his office's efforts to help the environment through smart investments, as well as his personal belief in the importance of electing pro-environment leaders.

Bob Hallman -- NYLCV's former chairman and now Deputy Secretary for Energy & the Environment to Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- spoke about the key sustainability initiatives the Cuomo is undertaking, including the Energy Highway.

Proceeds from the event will help support NYLCV's mission to elect for the environment, and will also support our sister organization -- the NYLCV Education Fund -- to help engage more New Yorkers on critical sustainability issues.

Thank you again to our honoree, special guests, sponsors and attendees for making our 2012 Spring Gala a night to remember!