Magical Moments

(NEW YORK) Christopher Reeve's legacy may have reached a new generation of supporters last night with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's A Magical Evening event at the Marriot Marquis. Co-hosted by Meryl Streep and Glenn Close, the gala honored Broadway veteran and long-time Reeve Foundation supporter James L. Nederlander with the Visionary Leadership Award, artist Chuck Close with the Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award, and the New York Rangers organization with the Dana Reeve HOPE Award. The event drew a bevy of young chicettes like Molly Sims, Lindsay Price, Kim Raver, and Jessica Szohr.

The lovely ladies shared a table with Mary Alice Stephenson, Gilles Mendel, and Francesco Clark, a former Harper's Bazaar staffer who suffered a crippling spinal cord injury in 2002 and went on to found Clark's Botanicals skin care line. Clark, now a spokesperson for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, donates a percentage of Clark's Botanical's profits to the organization.

"Gilles and I went last year, and were so touched," said Stephenson. "It was such a moving event. Dana and Chris made such a huge difference in people's lives." Stephenson was moved by a man at the event who walked across the stage; he was only able to do so because of the research underwritten Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. "Now that Obama has been elected president, stem cell research may finally get underway," said Stephenson. "It's so exciting!"