Save the Children, the leading organization investing in childhood, has announced that the 5th Annual Save the Children Illumination Gala will honor Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic; Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya; and the organization’s philanthropic corporate partner BVLGARI North America.
The event, presented by Johnson & Johnson, will be hosted by NBC’s Craig Melvin and will take place on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at The American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis will perform.
Now in its fifth year, the Illumination Gala will benefit Save the Children’s efforts to give more children a stronger start in life by helping end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths and by supporting early childhood education. In recognition of the occasion, Save the Children will celebrate each of the honorees for their achievements in giving children a brighter future:
• The Voice Award for Ryan Tedder, Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and front man of the multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic who is being recognized for his extraordinary dedication to speaking up on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable children. In addition to supporting Save the Children’s humanitarian relief efforts on the conflict in Syria and in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, Tedder used the power of his voice on the OneRepublic song “Feel Again.” The song served as the backdrop in 2013 for an Ad Council PSA for Save the Children’s Every Beat Matters campaign, which helped millions of children in poor countries survive their first five years of life. Tedder said the song was inspired by actual heartbeats of children in Guatemala and Malawi, where front-line health workers work every day to keep kids healthy. As part of the campaign, Tedder visited Save the Children’s newborn and child survival programs in Guatemala, and donated proceeds from sales of the song to Save the Children. His foundation, The Ryan & Genevieve Tedder Foundation, also supports children through education and youth development.
• The Humanitarian Award for Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of the #1 U.S.-based Greek Yogurt brand Chobani, who is being recognized for his courageous leadership on behalf of refugees. Ulukaya has demonstrated an inspiring commitment to provide resettled refugees with a path to a brighter future by embracing them as valued employees at Chobani. In 2015, he signed the Giving Pledge, committing the majority of his personal wealth to helping displaced people and founded the Tent Foundation, which forges innovative partnerships with NGOs, business and governments to improve the lives of refugees all over the world. As an entrepreneur and devoted philanthropist, Ulukaya is changing the conversation around the global refugee crisis – calling on the global community to recognize the human rights of refugees and put an end to displacement once and for all.
• The Visionary Award for BVLGARI North America, is in recognition for its enduring commitment to supporting children in need in the United States and around the world. Since beginning its unique partnership in 2009 with Save the Children, Bulgari has raised over $50 million globally through sales of an iconic Save the Children jewelry collection.More than half a million people have purchased the signature pieces, including a ring, a bracelet and a pendant. Funds raised through the partnership have been invested in 100 projects in 33 countries, reaching more than one million at-risk children and youth through education, emergency response, poverty reduction and youth empowerment programs.In the United States, Bulgari is a generous supporter of Save the Children’s early childhood education programs.
“The individuals we are honoring at our fifth annual Gala have gone above and beyond on behalf of children around the world – from supporting newborns’ health to early childhood education to refugees,” said Carolyn Miles, Save the Children president & CEO. “This year’s honorees’ compassion and dedication toward ensuring every last child, whether here in the US or around the world, can reach their full potential is inspiring. We are delighted to recognize this remarkable group for their contributions and to celebrate their accomplishments.”
Other notable guests expected to attend include Save the Children Artist Ambassador, Trustee and Gala Honorary Chair Jennifer Garner, Second Lady of the United States (2009-2017) and Save the Children Board Chair Dr. Jill Biden, Save the Children President & CEO Carolyn Miles, Save the Children Action Network President Mark Shriver, award-winning journalist Tamron Hall, and fashion designer, philanthropist and Gala Co-Chair Gabriela Hearst, Corbin Capital Partners CEO and Gala Co-Chair Tracy Stuart, among others.
The gala will be presented by Johnson & Johnson. For more information, please visit www.savethechildren.org/gala.
