Every year at events around the country, our UNICEF USA family is honored to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of supporters who so generously dedicate their time to UNICEF’s work for children. From outstanding humanitarians in local communities who make UNICEF’s work possible to celebrities who volunteer their time and platforms to raise awareness for the work UNICEF does, UNICEF USA relishes the opportunity to applaud the women and men who support our mission of putting children first so fully. These celebrations happen from coast to coast, but I’m (of course) partial to the gala we hold here in Chicago.
This year we are extremely privileged to be honoring an organization that is not only based right here in our community, but is also one that partners with UNICEF and helps create real, long-term solutions to the world’s most persistent issues affecting children. A true agent of change, Rotary International is a shining example of what determination — when paired with constant vigilance — can accomplish. Eradicating polio has been Rotary’s top goal for more than 30 years, and alongside UNICEF and partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, they’ve achieved a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases by immunizing more than 2.5 billion children. Few organizations in the world have achieved such exemplary outcomes for so many children. Thanks to the work of Rotary, UNICEF, and partners, I have no doubt that we will soon live in a world in which no child ever has to suffer the devastating effects of polio.
We are so pleased, too, that Emma Kathleen Hepburn Ferrer, granddaughter of the late Audrey Hepburn, will also be joining us to mark the 30th anniversary of Audrey Hepburn becoming a UNICEF Ambassador. Like her grandmother, Emma is a remarkable voice for the world’s children and we’re looking forward to her keynote address.
We hope you will join us to celebrate the power each of us has, hand in hand with UNICEF, to change the world for children. Tickets for the April 6 gala are available for purchase at unicefgalachi.org
All my best,
Elizabeth McCostlin
UNICEF USA Midwest Managing Director
P.S. If you are not able to attend but are still interested in supporting the work UNICEF does, please join us this spring as we champion the rights of women and girls around the world. You can join in on the efforts by rallying your followers on social media, starting a fundraiser of your very own, or by visiting unicefusa.org to learn more.
