World of Children Award ® se t t i n g t h e g o l d s ta n d a r d i n c h i l d a d v o c a c y SUMMER 2014 This month, you can help a child walk for the first time. Imagine not being able to walk to the market, tie your shoelaces or jump out of bed. Imagine not being able to go to school because you couldn’t walk there by yourself, or you were afraid that people might hurt you because of the way you looked. 93 million children face these challenges of being disabled every day. Simply having access to orthopedic care can dramatically transform a child’s life. Getting fitted with a prosthetic limb suddenly gives a child who could barely stand the ability to walk to school, play soccer with friends, and even run in a race. Once resigned to a life of dependence, closed doors and limitations, a child is suddenly given the ability to walk, run and thrive. This month, you can become a child’s lifelong hero by funding their orthopedic care. Your support will provide prosthetic limbs, corrective surgery and more for children with limb disabilities in developing countries. To learn more, visit worldofchildren.org/ability Lee Linda was afraid to go to school because of her disability. Now, she’s first in her class. Until the age of 7, Lee Linda hated going to school. She was born in Cambodia with Spina Bifida, a severe spinal disorder that weakened the muscles in her legs and prevented her from walking normally. Eventually, Linda stopped going to school because getting there was painful and difficult, and she couldn’t endure another cruel word from other children. Then one day, everything changed. Linda’s mother was connected to 2013 Honoree Mead Welles’ program, A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO). ALTSO fitted Linda with leg support braces and provided her with follow-up physiotherapy. It’s been two years since Linda took her first steps with braces, and her life couldn’t be more different. Now, she walks confidently to school where she earns the highest grades in class. She’s growing fast and ALTSO is right there beside her, refitting her braces as she grows and helping her take one step closer toward achieving her dreams. See Linda Walk at worldofchildren.org/linda Have you overcome the impossible? Do you have a unique ability? Let us know and your story could be featured on our website or social media networks. Email [email protected] or use the hashtag #ability to join the conversation! Three Ways You Impact Children’s Lives Every Day From providing life-saving heart surgeries to building soccer fields in Uganda, you are making a vital impact in the lives of children around the world. Here are 3 ways that your support is having a life-changing impact right now: 1. You Are Empowering Girls with Self-Defense Skills Today, girls are learning how to defend themselves in self-defense classes that you funded. 2012 Youth Award Honoree Dallas Jessup founded Just Yell Fire to end global abuse and violence against women and girls. Dallas used your funding to teach easy-to-remember self-defense techniques to 5,000 girls who live in some of the U.S. and Canada’s most dangerous communities. She also trained 162 teachers and counselors how to teach self-defense to their students, ultimately empowering more than 10,000 girls every year. Thousands of other girls are being empowered every day. Read more at worldofchildren.org/girlpower 2. You Are Providing Life-Saving Heart Surgery for Sick Children Right now, a child suffering from a heart defect is receiving life-saving surgery, thanks to you. 2012 Health Award Honoree Dr. Nilas Young and his team at Heart to Heart International Children’s Medical Alliance provide free heart surgery for children with heart defects. Dr. Young used your funding to expand the capacity of one of Heart to Heart’s program centers in Russia. Thanks to you, 600 children received heart surgery and are now making their parents laugh, like 3-year-old Dasha; learning to love math, like 8-year-old Nikolai; and dating their first girlfriend, like 20-year-old Roman. Hundreds of other children are waiting to receive surgery this year. Read more at worldofchildren.org/heartsurgery 3. You Are Enriching the Lives of Children in Uganda with Soccer Today, thousands of children in Uganda are playing soccer on fields that you helped build outside their schools. 2012 Youth Award Honoree Kyle Weiss is the co-founder of FUNDaFIELD, a nonprofit that builds soccer fields in places where children have experienced trauma or conflict. Kyle used your funding to build two fields for children in Western Uganda, an extremely impoverished area with little access to outside aid. Kyle built the fields next to local schools and has had great success getting children to come to school so they can earn the right to play. Thanks to you, 15,000 children living in the surrounding communities are playing more than 3,000 hours of soccer every year, giving them a healthy incentive to attend school and learn the power of teamwork. Thousands of other children are waiting for the chance to compete. Read more at worldofchildren.org/soccer You Taught Rwanda’s Youth How to Build a Better World In April, Founders Harry Leibowitz and Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz traveled to Rwanda to visit 2009 Honoree Jessica Markowitz, attend the 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, and visit Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, a program inspired by 1998 Honoree Chaim Peri. Thanks to your support, more than 40 girls in Rwanda are about to graduate from high school with big dreams of changing their communities, country and the world. Harry and Kay had the chance to meet some of these inspiring young people and see how our Honorees and your generous support impacted their lives. Read more about their trip at worldofchildren.org/rwanda ~ Jessica Markowitz hugging Joyce, one of the girls in her program. Join us to Honor Marlo Thomas and Six Heroes Changing Children’s Lives On Thursday, November 6, we will host the 2014 Annual World of Children Awards Ceremony to officially present our Awards to some of the bravest people we know: our 2014 Honorees. This year, we will present our Lifetime Achievement Award to Marlo Thomas for her outstanding leadership at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We will also present our Board of Governors’ Award to Jim Gold, President & Chief Merchandising Officer at The Neiman Marcus Group, for his significant commitment to children. Stay tuned: the rest of our 2014 Honorees will be announced in September. Visit worldofchildren.org/awardsceremony to learn more about the event. ~ Marlo Thomas, 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient We Hope you can join us 2014 Awards C eremony Your miles mean the world to them. WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 6 pm WHERE: 583 Park Avenue, Park Avenue at East 63rd Street New York City Since 1989, American customers have donated millions of AAdvantage® miles to support children’s programs around the world. Help put a smile on a child. FEATURING: Marlo Thomas Donate to Miles for Kids in Need® today on aa.com/joinus. 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award National Outreach Director, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Jim Gold 2014 Board of Governors’ Award President & Chief Merchandising Officer, The Neiman Marcus Group Chaim Peri, Ph.D. 2014 Alumni Award Director Emeritus, Yemin Orde Youth Village Founder and President, The Village Way Educational Initiatives Alina Cho Master of Ceremonies Stephanie March American Airlines, aa.com, AAdvantage, Miles for Kids in Need and the Flight Symbol logo are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld alliance, LLC. © 2014 American Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved. 10227575-1_4x4.5_4C.indd 1 5/29/14 2:32 PM from 10181540-2 by: lc Become a 2014Duped Sponsor 10227575-1 • American Airlines KIDS 2014 R: NORITA JONES GER: WENDY STUDENT As one GER: MATHEWS/SANTINI NSERTION DATE: Newsletter, 5/30/14 World of Children Award Celebrity Ambassador Path: Production 3:American Airlines:Jobs:Billable_Jobs:10200000_Jobs: Trim: 4"w x you 4.5"hnot onlyBleed: None Live: None at our high-profile Awards of our esteemed Sponsors, receive visibility and premiere seating Page 1 of 1 Date: 5/29/14 Proof #1 Ceremony, you ensure that some of the world’s most vulnerable children receive hope, healing and comfort. Inks: 4/C Revised by: lc CPS CheckOut: _________ Interested? Email Alison Kjeldgaard [email protected] or visit worldofchildren.org/sponsorships Agency Approvals: INITIALS atDATE Supervisors: INITIALS DATE Proofreader _______ _______ Project Mgr. _______ _______ Copywriter _______ _______ Acct. Sup. _______ _______ Art Director _______ _______ Prod. Mgr. _______ _______ World of Children Award Celebrity Ambassador Stephanie March This Summer, We’re Running for Children. YOU Can Help Children Run. worldofchildren.org/sfmarathon “My family and I have been fortunate to not have any major terminal illnesses and have been blessed with many wonderful children that are expanding our family. I don’t have any of my own yet so I think running with your great team is a way for me to help those who are less fortunate.” – Jon, Changemakers for Children runner We’re proud to announce that we are an official charity of The San Francisco Marathon! On July 27, our very determined team of runners — Changemakers for Children — will run the marathon to support children who cannot walk or run due to a limb disability. By race day, our team plans to raise more than $5,000 to ensure more children have the chance to run in their own race. Help our team reach their goal by underwriting the cost of a leg brace, prosthetic limb or corrective surgery. Learn more at worldofchildren.org/sfmarathon World of Children Award Board of Governors Harry Leibowitz, Ph.D. Co-Founder & Co-Chair World of Children Award Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz Co-Founder & Co-Chair Director, GUESS? Inc. Director, Coldwater Creek, Inc. Jim Gold Vice Chair President & Chief Merchandising Officer, The Neiman Marcus Group Ranjan Manoranjan Treasurer Chief Executive Officer, 3SGLED.COM Roberta V. Romberg J.D. Secretary Attorney at Law Jill Beraud Chief Executive Officer, Living Proof Director, New York & Company Director, Levi Strauss & Co. Devin Beresheim Managing Director, Marsh USA, Inc. - FINPRO Francis Fraenkel Managing Director, Neuberger Berman, LLC Bertan Kalatchi Chief Executive Officer, JohnPaulRichard, Inc. Archana Kumar Chief Strategy Officer, MediaCom USA Give Your Donation 12 Times the Power The math is simple; the effect is enormous. By chipping in just $12 per month for 12 months, you will provide vital help to children in need of healthcare, food, shelter, education and more. The best part? 100% of your monthly donations directly support children who need it most. 12x12 Benefits New 12x12 supporters will receive a special welcome package in the mail along with regular updates about how your funding is having a real impact for children. For a limited time, you will also receive our signature key necklace as an added thank you! Maxine Martens Chief Executive Officer, Martens & Heads! Karen Mayell Houston Community Leader Ann O’Malley Executive Vice President, Brand and Creative Services, Victoria’s Secret Direct Sandy Piontak Co-Founder, P2F Holdings Jerry Politzer Chief Executive Officer, National Retail Consultants We’ve Moved! Sue Steinberg San Francisco Community Leader Our address and phone number have changed: World of Children Award Team World of Children Award Office Lynn Wallace Naylor Executive Director 11501 Dublin Blvd., Suite 200 Dublin, CA 94568-2827 worldofchildren.org [email protected] • (925) 452-8272 Brock Weaver Online Marketing Manager Alison Kjeldgaard Marketing and Development Associate Arwen Lange Operations Manager Visit worldofchildren.org/12 to sign up. @worldofchildren facebook.com/worldofchildrenawards