K.I.D.S. stands for Kids in Distressed Situations, and Thursday night at Manhattan’s posh 583 Park Avenue event space, the nonprofit celebrated its incredible 26th Anniversary Gala honoring some of their esteemed contributors and partners. The past 25 years have shown the organization’s effectiveness, providing more than 67 million underprivileged and impoverished children with over one billion dollars in clothing, toys, books, shoes, and much more. And last night’s well organized, well attended extravaganza gave some of the charity’s founders the opportunity to spread the word about their cause, and celebrate amongst friends.

Last night’s event would serve to honor many of the corporate executives representing companies that work closely with K.I.D.S. including Steve Lawrence, Executive Vice President at jcpenney, Robert Hanson, President of Levi’s, as well as the Chairman and CEO of Toys R Us, Jerry Storch presenting the Humanitarian Award to Joe Shamie, Co-President of Delta Children’s Products. As many of the Gala’s committee members and chairs filed into the space with their friends and families in tow, so did the celebrities on hand. Spin City and Curb Your Enthusiasm supporting actor Richard Kind and New York Times Journalist, Co-Host of CNN Squawk Box, and author of ‘Too Big To Fail’ Andrew Ross Sorkin were also in the house to serve as emcee and keynote speaker, respectively. And also to partake in a fantastic cocktail hour and full dinner reception.

While many of the names being honored were genuinely pleased to be invited, the evening itself was about the children. Each year, the organization brings help to over 4.7 million children and their families, distributed by a network of nearly 1,000 local community social service agencies worldwide. From military family service to illness, domestic abuse to homelessness, K.I.D.S. the organization sees no potential detriment too small, and in 2010 alone, they distributed over $100 million in new products to needy children.

Although the special event is now concluded, as New Yorkers, there’s still plenty that you can do to help. Kidsdonations.org outlines ways to donate products or cash online and the organization guarantees that for every dollar donated, they provide ten times the amount in new goods. Sometimes, even stepping up a little, can make all the difference.

- Jane Van Arsdale