The Humane Society of the United States will honor Sidewalk Angels Foundation, founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Rob Thomas and his philanthropist wife Marisol Thomas and luxury beauty brand Moroccanoil at its 2017 To the Rescue! New York gala.
The gala, which celebrates The HSUS’ animal rescue efforts, including its important disaster response work in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, will take place on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at Cipriani 42nd Street.
The HSUS will honor the Thomases and their Sidewalk Angels Foundation with its Compassion in Action Award for making real change in helping those who have no voice, and recognize Moroccanoil with its Corporate Consciousness Award for making animal welfare and social responsibility its cornerstone.
Saving, rehabilitating and caring for hundreds of thousands of animals each year, The HSUS and its global affiliate Humane Society International deploy responders across the country and the world to help animals at risk or suffering in puppy mills, dogfighting rings, large scale-neglect cases, and natural disasters. The organizations are in the midst of back-to-back disaster relief efforts after hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria ravaged Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands, and a series of earthquakes devastated Mexico.
Sidewalk Angels Foundation is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to more than 20 no-kill animal shelters and rescues across the country and in the Caribbean, that help fight for the rights and fair treatment of those who can’t fight for themselves. The Foundation also works with homeless shelters that provide for the displaced by meeting the physical needs of people and their pets in crisis so that families in need are not forced to give up their pets.
Rob and Marisol Thomas said: “Sidewalk Angels Foundation is honored to be receiving the Compassion in Action award from The Humane Society of the United States. It is truly humbling for our small grass roots Foundation to be recognized by one of the world’s leading animal advocacy organizations. The HSUS works tirelessly to confront cruelty and rescue thousands of animals every year, and has been an inspiration for us from the very beginning.”
Rob Thomas is a singer songwriter who for the last 20 years has enjoyed success as the front man for the award winning, multi-platinum group Matchbox Twenty as well as a multi-platinum, Grammy award winning solo artist. Rob made history with “Something to Be,” his first solo effort, being the first album by a male artist from a rock or pop group to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since the chart had debuted. He has written songs for many huge artists, including Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Mary J. Blige and Seal. His collaboration with Carlos Santana was named the No. 2 Hot 100 Song of All Time and No. 1 of the Rock era. Overall, Thomas has contributed to sales of more than 80 million records. In 2004, he was the first-ever honoree of the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, created to recognize a composer in the early years of his or her career. He has won numerous BMI and ASCAP Awards, and has earned the Songwriter of the Year crown from both Billboard and BMI. Rob is also the Co-founder and Vice-president of Sidewalk Angels Foundation.
Marisol Thomas is a philanthropist and animal rights advocate. She is the co-founder and president of Sidewalk Angels Foundation. In this capacity, Marisol is the driving force behind the foundation’s fundraising and advocacy initiatives across the U.S. A fervent advocate, she has worked with other animal advocacy groups to conduct major animal rescues throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. A native New Yorker, Marisol holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Prior to her work with Sidewalk Angels Foundation, she was a model appearing on runway, print and television. She currently lives in Bedford, New York, with her husband, Rob, and their two rescues, a Pomeranian named Samy and a Dachshund-terrier mix named Oliver, both of whom were preceded by the household’s “original angel,” Tyler, whose life and spirit continue to inspire the work of the Foundation.
As a top luxury brand of cruelty-free hair and body care products, Moroccanoil has shown that a highly successful company can take a stand against cruelty in its manufacturing policies. The company also supports the Humane Cosmetics Act, which would ban animal testing for cosmetics manufactured or sold in the U.S, and has been invaluable in helping to end cruel cosmetics testing on animals.
Moroccanoil Co-founder Carmen Tal’s personal passion and love for animals has helped shape the company’s values and commitment to charitable causes. The company’s champion philanthropic effort is its INSPIRED BY WOMEN project, which highlights lifesaving animal rescue work. Furthermore, Moroccanoil continues to directly support animal relief and rescue efforts on a global scale.
Guests will enjoy a three-course vegan meal prepared by Chef Chloe Coscarelli, a live auction, and exclusive entertainment by Thomas.
This year’s gala is chaired by David Brownstein and Suzy Welch, along with Co-Hosts Georgina Bloomberg, Amanda Hearst and Stephen Read.
The 2017 Leadership Committee includes: Ian Bass, Howard and Wendy Berk, Gale Epstein, Jennifer Faga, Janie Greenspun Gale, Linda Goddard, Cathy Kangas, Stacey and Don Kivowitz, Jennifer Laue, Mary and Peter Max, Jennifer McCausland, Patrick McDonnell and Karen O’Connell, Judy Ney, Paige Rense Noland, Christine and Edwin Ordway, Lida Orzeck, Marian Probst and Debra Shore
The Humane Generation: Friends of Finn Committee includes:
Executive Committee: Amanda Hearst (Chair), Georgina Bloomberg, Tripp Callan, Anthony Cummings, Michael Katz, Stephen Read, Breanna Schultz, Courtney Stroum Meagher, Katie Sturino.
Advisory Committee: Kensey Biggs, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Stephanie Riggio Bulger, Liz Dee, Liz Friedland, Dylan Lauren, Sarah Read, Lauren Schweibold, Hilary Sloan and Kelly Vitko
Moroccanoil is sponsoring this year’s gala. The event is produced in partnership with Celebrity Event Planner Liron David of Eventique
For more information, sponsorships, tables, and tickets, visit www.501auctions.com/totherescueny.
