California Apparel News

The apparel community turned out to honor CIT Trade Finance’s Debbie Steinberg and Roth Capital Partners’ Paul Zaffaroni and raise funds for National Jewish Health at the Black and White Ball, held June 7 at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The event, which was sold out weeks in advance, raised $543,609 for the Denver-based hospital, which specializes in research and treatment of respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders.

“Events like this help us enhance our existing relationships and develop new relationships, [which] allow NJH to accomplish what we do … allows us to do ground-breaking research and care for people worldwide, including California,” said Rich Schierburg, chairman of the Board of Directors of National Jewish Health.

The Los Angeles Professional Services—a group of LA–based attorneys, factors, bankers, certified public accountants, manufacturers, retailers and other industry executives who support the hospital—presented Steinberg and Zaffaroni with its Humanitarian Award.

“Los Angeles Professional Services, by its generosity for so many years, has elevated National Jewish Health to be the leader in respiratory hospitals for the last 115 years,” said Michael Salem, president and CEO of the hospital. “We all take breathing for granted until we can’t do it. For us these Humanitarian Awards are a very important part of National Jewish Health. Paul and Debbie represent the best of what the community has to offer.”

In accepting his award, Zaffaroni said he was honored to share the stage with Steinberg, who he described as a good friend and a mentor.

“During the fundraising, I had to question what is an Italian doing raising money for National Jewish Health?” Zaffaroni joked, before adding, “It’s not about religion or ethnicity.” Rather, he said, it’s about providing access to healthcare.

Zaffaroni also thanked his parents and brother, who were in attendance, as well as the evening’s guests.

“I know you all have millions of requests for your time and your money,” he said. “Thank you for your generous support. It means a lot to us.”

When Steinberg took the stage, she held up a copy of her prepared speech, saying: “It’s 25 pages long … 42 font.”

She continued with the light tone, saying, “Anyone who knows me knows within a three-minute conversation you are sure to hear the F word. Yes, factoring has been very good to me.”

Steinberg, who toured the Denver hospital with Zaffaroni earlier this year, was sincere when she praised the work done at National Jewish Health and the importance of the support of the apparel community.

“I’ve been involved in City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai [Medical Center and] the Los Angeles Professional Services, as well as other charities,” she said. “I’ve seen first-hand how generous this industry is. Every one of you here tonight has made this evening possible. The work done at National Jewish Health is truly groundbreaking. To know what we all have done tonight will make others breathe easy.”

Steinberg singled out her colleagues and coworkers, past and present, before thanking her husband, Stu Steinberg, who, with his wife and Zaffaroni, was a presenting sponsor of the evening.

“To my Stu, my partner in life, you make walking through life with you a joy,” Steinberg said.

Before asking the guests to join her in a tequila toast, Steinberg said, “We breathe. It’s the first thing we do, and it’s the last thing we do. It’s what we do in between the first and the last that makes a difference.”