New York City - The legendary star of screen, stage and song Julie Andrews and her writing partner and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton were honored for their contributions to the world of children's literature at the 12th annual "Stars of Stony Brook Gala" at New York's Chelsea Piers.

MC Alexis Glick - Business Journalist, Rich Gelfond -CEO, IMAX, Peggy Gelfond. (Patrick McMullan)

This year's Chairmen were Stony Brook's esteemed alumni, CEO of IMAX Rich Gelfond, and hedge fund titan and philanthropist Jim Simons of Euclidean Capital, LLC. The lovely Alexis Glick, formerly of Fox Business and now CEO of Gen YOUth Foundation, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, which raised $2.3 million for the Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital.

Gala co-chairs Barbara Amonson and Vincent Della Pietra, Marsha and Henry Laufer, Freddie and Erwin Staller, Leo Guthart, Pam and Stephen Della Pietra and Marisela and Cary Staller were on hand to thank supporters during the cocktail hour as hors d'eouvres were passed and the sun set over the Hudson River.

The more than 700 guests, including Kathleen and Duffy Mich, Dietlinde and Lorin Maazel, Elaine and Dr. Steven Strongwater, then moved to the main dining room for dinner, some heartfelt speeches from two of Stony Brook University's President Dr. Samuel Stanley and Dr. James H. Simons, who is retired from the position but still very active in his support.

During the dinner, guests enjoyed an enlightening children's hospital video followed by an exclusive musical performance by "Phantom of the Opera's" Anne Runolfsson and Stephen Buntrock, who have toured with Ms. Andrews internationally. The duo, accompanied by piano, sang a variety of catchy numbers from Ms. Andrews and her Ms. Walton Hamilton's books, including "Simeon's Gift."

Some of today's most revered names in the entertainment industry, including Alan Alda, John DeLuca, Alec Baldwin and Rob Marshall, who directed Ms. Andrews in the stage version of "Victor/Victoria," paid homage via a video tribute that was screened during the dinner. The evening culminated with the original Mary Poppins taking to the stage to accept an honorary award for her efforts on behalf of the Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital and her dedication to children and literacy throughout her career. Looking chic in blue, Andrews remarked "I have to say, coming from Vaudeville, with all these literaries in the audience, walking on the stage here, I finally feel legitimate at last."