Event Recap

Natalie B. McKenzie’s The Whole Woman raises funds, awareness and spirits at annual fundraiser and toy drive.

The Whole Woman, LLC (TWW), an organization that brings together women of influence to raise funds and awareness for the under-served, held their annual fundraiser and toy drive at the beautiful Knickerbocker Country Club (KCC) on Sunday, December 8th. 

The sold-out event, hosted by TWW founder and CEO Natalie B. McKenzie, was attended by two hundred supporters with a common goal to raise funds and collect toys for those who need to be lifted up.

Signature cocktails greeted each guest as they entered the main parlor to enjoy butler passed hors d’oeuvres and the sounds of violinist Kersten Stevens and later flowed into the photo booth area and a room equipped with an Exputt virtual putting system. 

Once the beautifully decorated main room opened up, guests were entertained by Levon Fulmore mistress of ceremony, multi Emmy-nominated television producer and That Girl From New Jersey host Erin Saxton, kicked the program off with a beautiful poem followed by the blessing of both the event and the delicious buffet brunch by McKenzie’s husband Obie, who was the title sponsor under his forthcoming book, Bible Economics.

The audience was filled with a who’s who in Bergen County and beyond, including the Honorable Tahesha Way, Esq., Secretary of State for the State of New Jersey, the Honorable Vivian Sanks-King and Reverend Gregory J. Jaskson, Senior Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack, who was presented with a lifetime achievement award.

TWW selected Never Along Again Resource Center (NAA) for victims of domestic violence and abuse as the beneficiary of all proceeds raised through raffles and auction items. They also partnered with Bergen County Sherriff Anthony Cureton, to donate fifty-dollar gift cards to at-risk teens from the Comprehensive Behavioral Health facility -aka- CBH Cares and toys to children with incarcerated parents.

To execute her vision, McKenzie and her husband Obie, who was TWW’s title sponsor, called on their friends, family and society peers to dig deep for this party with a purpose. 

Sponsors included Bloomingdale’s, Riverside Wines & Liquors, Dick and Kathleen Fuld, Benny Pough LLC, Morgan Stanley’s Corethia V.E. Oates and State Farm’s Tammy Felton.

The McKenzie’s reached out to their friends, near and far to supply the lavish style party and live auction items including, Hope Wade Designs, The Tiannia Barnes Collection, The Capital Grille, Bonnie Geronimo Hair Salon, Krenoir Bags, P. Smallwood Art, Exputt, Dr. Hetal Gor, Serenity Skin Care and Body Wellness, Karen Dennis Pilates, KCC and Celebrity Motor Car Company, who donated a Maserati for the weekend.

Between the style party, live auction and raffle ticket sales, nearly eighteen thousand dollars was raised on-site, and still counting. NAA Founder & CEO Theresa F. Johnston was brought to tears as the dollars poured in to her organizations’ Zelle, PayPal and CashApp accounts. Generous bids and donations were made by many, with top selling items going to guests Joe Cupulli, members of the Englewood Social Club, Heather Won Choi, Gregory Worrell and Glen Pope.

Johnston, is a survivor and conqueror of domestic violence who raised six children as a single mother and went on to get her associates degree and many certifications in domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, crisis prevention and case management. 

For more information about NAA, or to make a donation, visit www.neveraloneagain.org