FOR THE CHILDREN
UNICEF honors Ma, Achtmeyers at annual gala
This year marks UNICEF's platinum anniversary of helping children around the globe. On Thursday night, the lifechanging organization celebrated its remarkable work at its annual Children's Champion Award Dinner. Held at the Castle at the Park Plaza, this year's high-powered soiree honored Alli and Bill Achtmeyer and Yo-Yo Ma.
The renowned cellist and U.N. Messenger of Peace received the Children's Champion Award for his dedication to children through education and music, while the Achtmeyers (UNICEF USA New England regional board members) received the Helenka Pantaleoni Humanitarian Award for their work with vulnerable children. Among the evening's revelers: event chairs Bryan Rafanelli, Kerry
Swords, Joanne Rogers (wife of the late, great children's show host Mr. Fred Rogers (our favorite neighbor), Patty Ribakoff, Dina Selkoe, Tiffany Ortiz, Jeryl and Stephen Oristaglio, Ted and Simone Winston, Courtney Forrester and Mahsa Noble. Ma surprised the crowd by playing “Tree, Tree, Tree” by Fred Rogers as a tribute to Joanne Rogers, who presented Ma with his award.
The special evening also highlighted UNICEF's lifesaving work via an interactive “story wall” containing 16,000 sheets of paper representing the children who die of preventable causes each year as well as the children the group will help through funds raised that night.
The seated dinner was followed by a live auction by Brit powerhouse Kate Chertavian, a performance by the Silk Road Ensemble and an after-party with DJ Chris Roxx. The event raised $1.26 million.
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories. Learn more at unicef.org.