WWO Events

WWO Tenth Anniversary Events

A number of extraordinary events were held this year in honor of WWO’s “decade of dedication.”

May 3, 2007 - Spring Leadership Reception
We kicked off our 10 year celebration with an inaugural Spring Leadership Reception acknowledging our major donors and long-time friends at the magnificent home of Erika Franke and David Brown.  The latest WWO documentary, Transforming Lives, was shown for the first time.  Bindy Crouch, Orphan Ranger, Vietnam, 2004, spoke movingly of how working in Vietnam had changed her life.

May 18, 2007 - The Concert for WWO, Maplewood NJ

A local Columbia High School senior and gifted musician, Michael LaRose, heard about WWO and learned that Maplewood was its new home.  He organized the Concert for WWO, with talented high school and professional bands volunteering their efforts. The entire LaRose family got involved and the event became a wonderful way for the whole community to learn about WWO.  Fred Profeta, Mayor of Maplewood proclaimed May 18th, “WWO Day.”  Many thanks go to WWO Board member Ed Vetri and Wind Up Records for donating the sound and lighting, and to the entire Harvey family for t-shirts, snacks and general pitching in.  ABC’s Bill Weir hosted the evening, and an anonymous donor underwrote all costs. 

The LA Events
On the weekend of June 30th, the Los Angeles Leadership Committee, (Beth Harris, Liz Himelstein, Stanley and Gail Hollander, Mary Knobler, and Ramyne Khan Spire) spearheaded two spectacular events to help WWO ispread the word about the 140 million children in the world who live without parental supervision – and how WWO truly helps to transform these children’s lives.  Board Chair Janet Kagan, her husband Howard and Dr. Jane Aronson flew out from New York.  WWO benefactor Eddie Phillips came from Minnesota just days after returning from a site visit in Ethiopia.  They were met with warmth, hospitality and support.

June 30, 2007 - Dinner Party
Last October, Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, Proof) and Naomi Watts (Painted Veil, King Kong) met at the 2006 WWO Benefit Gala and discovered that they shared their admiration of WWO.  When asked by LA Leadership Committee member Liz Himelstein to consider hosting an event, they agreed to underwrite all costs, to hold a small dinner at one of their homes, and to invite friends and colleagues.  In addition, famed jewelry designer Cathy Waterman, donated a magnificent “love” pendant and soon.  Sparked by this donation, Lauren Barnhardt and Jeff Eisner coordinated a successful silent auction.  WWO’s 2007 film, Transforming Lives (narrated by Liev Screiber, who attended) was a hit and so was the intimate dinner, raising in excess of $25,000 for WWO.

July 1, 2007 - Reception
In 2004, WWO Board member Mary Knobler and her husband Claude - already the parents of two children - adopted Nati, aged 5, from Ethiopia.  Friends of the Knoblers,Ramyne and Gary Spire and Beth and Scott Harris, were moved by Nati’s story and impressed by his progress and his personality. They decided to get involved with supporting the work of WWO, The Hollanders organized a reception in their  magnificent, art-filled home.  Nearly 100 guests attended and learned about the work of WWO, the children we serve, and the plans and projects for the future.  In addition to raising more than $35,000, WWO made many lasting new friends.  The Hollanders have invited us to hold next year’s LA reception at their home, and we’ve set the date for May 18, 2008.