On Monday, Donna Lennard of il Buco hosted a charity cocktail event at the Alimentari & Vineria location to raise money for the International Rescue Committee in aid of its Syrian relief efforts. It was a full house.

CFDA Members Maria Cornejo of Zero + Maria Cornejo and Jill Platner co-hosted the event alongside Lennard. Both expressed a sense of urgency demanded by this issue. Platner stressed the importance of basic human rights. “Every person, regardless of gender, race, religion or nationality, deserves to be treated with care and respect,” she said.

Speaking out and supporting the IRC struck a personal chord with designer Maria Cornejo. “As a former refugee and immigrant, this is a cause that’s near to my heart,” she explained. “I always say, being charitable is the ultimate luxury.”

Rising above the crowd, Lennard drew reference between the packed space and the importance of the cause. “There’s literally not enough room for all of us who care, and that is really vital,” she said.

The event comes at a time where the question of how to mobilize ones platform towards a greater cause seems to be at the forefront of many businesses, both large and small.  As Lennard put it, “We’re living in a time where it’s amazing to see how many people have decided that they need to do something. And there are so many things to do something about.”

Ciaran Donnelly, Senior VP of International Programs at IRC, reiterated this and urged the audience to speak out via whatever means available to them, whether it be spreading the word on social media or through word of mouth. “This is a global crisis. We need your voice.”

The night raised over $11,000. Guests indulged in the delicious food, which the Syria Supper Club helped to prepare alongside Chef Garrison Price. And the reoccurring topic of conversation was, ‘how can I continue to make a difference?’