The Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) held a successful Gala on the evening of March 2, 2010, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Among the 500 people in attendance were several dignitaries on hand to honor the former Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman, as he received the 2010 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition.
The Gala brought executives from industry, the School Nutrition Association, international NGOs, the U.S. Congress, USAID, USDA, and other key agencies, together for an evening dedicated to honoring the champions of child nutrition. This memorable event is held annually and raises both awareness and funds for GCNF’s efforts to combat global child hunger through sustainable school feeding programs. GCNF is grateful to our many sponsors and donors who contributed over $270,000 because they recognized the critical role these news dollars play in the success of GCNF’s work. These gifts represent a $70,000 increase over last year and they are all the more remarkable because our sponsors—companies, NGOs and individuals alike—made their commitment to ending child hunger evident through their financial contributions despite the extremely soft economy.
Gene White, GCNF’s renowned President, welcomed Gala attendees and touched on her personal experiences witnessing childhood hunger across the globe. She reminded Gala attendees of their vital role in helping to eliminate childhood hunger. She described GCNF’s many accomplishments in 2009, including the Global Child Nutrition Forum which was held in South Africa. Ms. White said the South African word “Ubuntu”, is a reverent term that means, I am because we are. She closed her remarks by saying, “I believe it is this sense of humanity and connection with each other that brings us together tonight. It makes this evening’s celebration so special. The world’s children belong to us all. Ubuntu!”
The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson and Marshall L. Matz, long-time friends of GCNF, led the Gala program as Masters of Ceremonies and Co-chairs of the event.
(Left to right)Recipient of the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award Dan Glickman, The Honorable Catherine Bertini, The Honorable George McGovern, GCNF President Gene White and SNA Counsel Marshall Matz.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition to Dan Glickman, long-time champion of child nutrition causes worldwide. Mr. Glickman, who formerly served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and in the U.S. Congress, is the Chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America. During his acceptance speech, Mr. Glickman remarked, “We do not just need to feed the world we must help the world become self sufficient in food”.
Mr. Glickman has led the fight to end hunger both domestically and internationally throughout his career. Before his appointment as Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Glickman served for 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Kansas’ 4th Congressional District. Mr. Glickman serves as Vice Chairman of the Friends of the World Food Programme and on the board of directors of America’s Second Harvest, and Food Research and Action Center, among other organizations. He was recently elected President of Refugees International and will take his new position on June 1, 2010.
Jim Weill, President of the Food Research Action Center, congratulated Mr. Glickman for his achievements and described him as someone who “has always been a persistent and passionate voice for those who go to bed hungry in this country and around the world”.
Two distinguished advocates for child nutrition were recognized by Dora Rivas, President of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). Wanda Grant, SNA 2009 Outstanding Director of the Year; was praised for her 34-year membership in the SNA and her dynamic school nutrition career.
Chuck Ainsworth received the SNA 2009 Individual Industry Member of the Year Award for his
dedication to child nutrition and as an individual who keeps the needs of school nutrition professionals and the children they serve in the forefront.
Guests at the 2010 A Possible Dream Gala were entertained by the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble, composed of five talented musicians and seven dancers who performed traditional West African music and dance for those in attendance.
(Left to right) GCNF Executive Director Barbara Belmont, Recipient of the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award Dan Glickman, GCNF President
GCNF is grateful to the following individuals for their dedication as members of the 2010 Gala Committee. GCNF would like to extend our sincere thanks to those individuals for their role in making the 2010 A Possible Dream Gala an incredible success!
- Susan Cheshire
- Michele Fite
- Jean Harris
- Kent Holt
- Eileen T. Kennedy, D.Sc., R.D.
- Pat McCoy, SNS
- Susan K. Neely, CAE
- Mary Owens, SNS
- Shellie Prillmayer
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