QBG’s Executive Director, Evie Hantzopoulos, presents Howard Freilich with the 2026 Rose Gala Award, alongside Board Chair Raymond D. Jasen. Photo by Sean Chee.
Flushing, NY — [June 2, 2026] — On the night of Monday, June 1, Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) held its biggest fundraising event of the year, the Rambling Rose Gala.
Set under the Terrace of QBG’s Visitor & Administration building, looking out onto the Gardens in full bloom, guests took in the beauty of peak rose season, experienced guided tours of QBG’s rose garden, and dined on a seasonally focused and locally sourced meal.
They also enjoyed live jazz, placed bids in a silent auction, and celebrated the night’s honorees: Howard Freilich, the founder of Blondie’s Treehouse, who began his career as an intern at QBG, and the life of Yanny “Mama” Lie, a key figure in the Flushing community and a beloved member of QBG’s Tai Chi group.
Contributions from the event raised a total of $205,653.15 — all of which will support QBG’s important educational programming and cultural events, as well as helping to enhance the Garden’s botanical collections under the guidance of QBG’s new Horticulture Director, Andi Pettis. Howard Freilich also made a generous pledge to support internships in the Garden’s horticulture department over the next five years.
Attendees included Raymond D. Jasen, QBG Board Chair; Diya Vij, New York City’s Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs; Donovan Richards, Jr., the Borough President of Queens; and New York City Council Member Sandra Ung.
“One thing I love about this Garden is that it is open and accessible to everyone, no matter your socio-economic status, your religion, your orientation,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “That’s what democracy looks like.”
“We were thrilled to honor Howard Freilich and the life of Yanny ‘Mama’ Lie with so many supporters and friends,” said Evie Hantzopoulos, Executive Director of Queens Botanical Garden. “The Garden brings joy to so many people, and this event ensures we can continue to provide a beautiful and engaging space for the community.”
Photos from the evening can be found here. Please credit Sean Chee.
Queens Botanical Garden thanks the following individuals, companies, and foundations for their generous support:
Yellow Rose
Joan N. and Norman Bluestone Foundation • Saul and Gail Kupferberg, Max and Selma Kupferberg Family Foundation, The Kupferberg Foundation • Andrea Woodner
Red Rose
Howard Freilich, Blondie’s Treehouse, Inc. • The Oasis Foundation • Latham and Watkins • Kirkland & Ellis LLP • Ropes and Gray • Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP • Resorts World Gives
Pink Rose
Kelsey Bishop and Ares Management • Con Edison • Farrell Fritz, P.C. • Main Street Radiology • Nancy Shannon • NewYork–Presbyterian Queens • Dmitriy Rozenfeld and Mizuho Americas • Dime Commercial Bank • Dina Liu
White Rose
RKLA Studio Landscape Architecture • Veronica Tsang • AO Shearman • Cord Meyer Development • SLSCO • The Kalikow Group
Coral Rose
Suzanne Brienza • Paul Hastings LLP • Evie Hantzopoulos and David Motamed • Marjorie (Mitzi) Bhavnani • J & K Pi Family Foundation • Bob and Sue Okin • Max and Katie Deabler Meadows • BKSK Architects • Margarita Soto
Rose Buds
ICS Agency • Helen Rosenthal and Carmen Marino • Steve Martinchuck • Susan Lacerte • Ed Potter • Michael Bronstein • Neil Fleishman • Henry Wan • Citizens Bank • Colorblends Wholesale Bulbs • Carole Artigiani and Robert Scott • Reina Goodman • Raoul Bhavnani and Savitha Reddy • Michele Rossetti • Annette Fanara • Alison Mitchell • Jeremy Weinstein • Jay Kushner • Lisa Primeggia • Lee Lee Chang • Raymond Jasen • James Maguire • Jianye Zhang • Quent Capital • Raymond Lie
Photos from the evening can be found here. Please credit Sean Chee.