Buffett Performs at Child Mind Gala

Jimmy Buffett was in New York City on Thursday night where he performed at the Child Mind Institute charity gala, hosted by Matt Lauer, and received the 2011 Child Advocacy Award with his wife Jane.

In a video message Amy Poehler and Will Arnett toasted the Buffetts, who were receiving the Child Advocacy Award, saying they’d personally give them an award for “the best fake Southern accents for real New Yorkers, the best collection of flip flops for a CEO,” and for being “the coolest rich people on the planet.” Getting slightly more serious, they noted that “wealth is measured by kindness and generosity,” and on that score the Buffetts richly deserve the evening’s honor.

More from the Wall Street Journal:

The event helped raise over $5 million for the Child Mind Institute, which helps children with mental-health issues.

Every now and again, guests wonder how a boldfaced name got set up with a certain institution, but that wasn’t that case here. Mr. Buffett, whose hits include “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” seems to have an incredibly pleasant emotional interior and very sound mental health. Also, he’s friends with Harold S. Koplewicz, the institute’s president.

“I’ve never had a stress-related problem the beach couldn’t solve,” Mr. Buffett said, true to form.

New York City residents in particular, he has noticed, seem sort of stressed-out a lot. “They need to remember they’re on an island,” the singer said. “There are beautiful beaches just over the bridge.”