We were on hand yesterday when AREW and NYCREW announced they'll be merging to form a integrated org come January, called CREW New York. Previously, they were both chapters of the national CREW Network, the industry's largest business networking organization (with 9,000 members) dedicated to advancing women in commercial real estate. CREW New York will have 350 combined members; above its newly announced board: Sutton Alliance's Theresa Garelli (VP), Newmark Grubb Knight Frank's Robin Fisher (member at large); Rhodes Associates' Jane Lyons (co-prez), Douglas Elliman's Faith Hope Consolo (chairman emeritus), New York Law School's Erin Bond (immediate past president), Wells Fargo's Christine Chipurnoi (co-prez), Citibank's Laura Walker (immediate past president), Lend Lease's Sara Rubenstein (treasurer), and EZ Building EHS' Amelia Janisz (secretary).

Joining the holiday festivities at Club 101 were CREW Network CEO Gail Ayers, who flew in from Texas for the announcement, and Merle Gross-Ginsburg, one of AREW's original founders in 1978 (NYCREW was formed in 2001). Merle recalls that when she started the org, women felt isolated in the male-dominated industry. Many didn't have college degrees, were single, or backed into the industry because they were raising families alone. "We needed our own support system," she says. AREW focused on three facets: advancing women's professional careers, providing scholarships, and helping women less fortunate through its charitable fund. CREW New York will carry forward the two chapters' similar core values, goals, and programs.

As part of its holiday tradition, the AREW Charitable Fund also collected Secret Santa gifts for 450 children at Women In Need, which provides safe housing, critical services, and programs that NYC's homeless women need to succeed on their own, regain their independence, and provide a brighter future for their children. Above: HJ Kalikow's Dorothy Vermeer, MAAI Marsh Architects' Sarah Marsh, Theresa Garelli, Paramount Group's Doreen Santana, The Advance Group's Vivian Aronica, Teknion's Julia Glazer, WIN's Alyssa Montoya, TD Bank's Shaelee Lopes, Paramount Group's Cindy Boyea, and M Moser Associates' Katherine DeMercurio.