The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) and Orphans International Worldwide (www.orphansinternational.org) celebrated 25 years of service Oct. 17, 2024 at Henry Luce Penthouse of the Asia Society.
The event’s primary theme was “Peace is Possible Even in the Face of Senseless Violence: Young Global Leaders Embrace Nonviolent Conflict Resolution.”
Orphans International Worldwide is a charitable organization created to house and educate orphans and abandoned children. In response to the crisis facing orphaned children, around the world, former investment bank employee Jim Luce /James Jay Dudley Luce founded Orphans International in 1999.
With a network of small “homes” for children, Orphans International, headquartered in NY, provides immediate aid to some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.
The sensational evening was filled with many notable attendees including Dr Princess Antonia zu Schaumburg Lippe and her son, Prince Mario-Max, Jane Pontarelli, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Ruth Miller, Flora Pllumaj, Tinu Naija, Jeffrey Gurian, Huguens Noel, Galit Levy, Marcia Minassian, Betty Emamian, Edna Khalily, Errol Rappaport, Quinn Lemley, Lisa Zari, Tatyana Horoshko Gegera, Alexandr “Sasha” Gegera, Jessy Moya, Daniela Reginato, among many others.
Awards reflecting the family charities presented at the Gala, included Hon. Clare Boothe Luce Award was conferred upon Gale Brewer (NYC City Council Member and former Manhattan Borough President), Hon. Shama Haider (NJ), Julie Menin (NYC), Hon. and Rebecca Seawright (NYS Assemblywoman).
The Mayflower Award went to Indhira Arrington (DEI, Ares), Vlada von Shats (Russian Samovar).
Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon 3 Time Emmy Award Winning Anchor and NYTimes Best Selling Author, Rita Cosby (WABC),
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Jonathan Granoff J.D., Jean Shafiroff (philanthropist), Dr. Robert Thurman (Columbia), Mrs. Frank Perdue or Mitzi, Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary), Jonathan Hollander (Battery Dance Company).
Quarter Cent. Global Leadership awards were conferred upon Liz Abzug (daughter of Bella Abzug), Prince Manvendra Gohil, Dr. Maurie McInnis (Yale President).
The Commodore Stephen Bleecker Luce Award was conferred on Representative Jerrold “Jerry” Nadler (Representing New York’s 12th Congressional District) and Humanitarian of the Year Eva Ritvo, M.D. (Bekindr).
Heroes of NY Awards were conferred upon Judith Polson, MBA, Manuel Albino, Rose Billings, and Lorraine Silvetz, MSW.
Jim Luce, the founder and CEO of The J. Luce Foundation and Orphans International states: “Through our collective efforts, we have empowered youth and enriched communities globally, as well as here in New York, where we have raised over two million dollars and impacted the lives of over 1,000 young individuals,” He added, “We run a school and are opening an orphanage for “Untouchable” (dalit) children in Bihar, India.”
Past Awardees included Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis (SUNY Maritime), H.E. Haya Rashed Al Khalifa (Bahrain), Prince Albert (Monaco), Cindy Hsu (WCBS), Donald Rubin (Rubin Museum), Hon. Carolyn Maloney, Jumaane Williams (NYC).
The charities spearhead projects in the United States as well as in Bangladesh, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
