Abby Elliott, Carly Rose Sonenclar & More Set for Starlight Children's Foundation's Annual Gala

The Starlight Children's Foundation NY*NJ*CT will honor Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners, Inc. on March 8, 2012 at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City. He is being honored for his support of Starlight and his dedication to improve the quality of life of hospitalized children. Starlight serves thousands of children who suffer from a wide range of critical, chronic, and life-threatening diseases and disabilities.

Special guests include award winning actor, comedian, and author Charles Grodin; Saturday Night Live actress, Abby Elliott; and will feature a special performance by Starlight Ambassador Carly Rose Sonenclar. Sonenclar is a 12-year-old actress and singer who plays Gilda Flip on The Electric Company on PBS and was most recently seen on Broadway in Wonderland. Entertainment for the evening also includes the hit musical act "Big Shot". The band features Michael Delgiudice and original members of the Billy Joel Band.

"It is with great pleasure that Starlight will honor Howard Lutnick. Howard is known for his caring, philanthropy and dedication to giving back to those in need." said Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of Newmark Knight Frank and President of the Starlight Children's Foundation of NY*NJ*CT board of directors. "Each year, Starlight is able to touch the lives of over 275,000 seriously ill children in the tri-state area through uplifting programs and services that help heal their spirit and make their journey through illness easier. Because of Howard and the many supporters that will attend the Gala, Starlight will be able to continue providing smiles and laughter to these children and their families.

Howard W. Lutnick is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., one of the world's leading financial services firms. Mr. Lutnick also is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BGC Partners, Inc., a leading global brokerage company primarily servicing the wholesale financial markets. Mr. Lutnick guided the rebuilding of Cantor following the devastating September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 658 of the firm's 960 New York-based employees. Since then, Cantor has provided over $180 million to help the families of the firm's colleagues who perished.

The evening, emceed by Rob Powers of WABC, will include a cocktail reception, lavish dinner and awards presentation. Dinner chairs include Jeffrey Gural, Chairman, Newmark Knight Frank; Barry Gosin, CEO, Newmark Knight Frank; and Michael Lehrman, Executive Managing Director Cantor Fitzgerald, Cantor Commercial Real Estate, Global Gaming Asset Management, BGC Partners and Newmark Knight Frank.

The gala will support the mission of the Starlight Children's Foundation, which brightens the lives of seriously ill children and helps them cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight helps children and their families through their journey with illness while helping to heal their spirits and restore the happiness that a serious illness takes away.