Reception at Sothebys
By NADINE BROZAN
Published: December 6, 1996
JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. is the founder of Reaching Up, so it is no surprise
that he is giving a benefit reception tonight at Sotheby's for the
organization. Mr. Kennedy established Reaching Up in 1989 with money
from his family's Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation and in conjunction with
the City University of New York.
''We wanted to create a program to train workers who care for the
mentally retarded,'' he said yesterday, adding that since its
inception, 1,500 students have graduated from programs run by City
University in its various branches.
ROSS BLECKNER has donated 250 silk-screen prints of his work ''The Hope
for News,'' to be sold for $500 each at the event. Phone orders will
also be taken at (212) 431-6850.
''I have to raise funds for this every year, and I didn't want to do a
huge thing,'' Mr. Kennedy said. ''This appealed to me because I like
Ross Bleckner's work.''
Asked how he and his wife of two months, CAROLYN BESSETTE-KENNEDY,
would decide what causes they would become involved with, he said: ''We
haven't broached that yet. There are a lot of things to do in New York,
and you want things with a personal connection to your own experience.
I think she will decide in her own good time. This organization
predates her.''
Ms. Bessette-Kennedy will not be at the reception. ''She is in Germany
visiting her sister,'' Mr. Kennedy said.