Celebrating Lucy Meyer and the Special Olympics-UNICEF USA Partnership
An evening reception with family, friends and partners celebrating Lucy Meyer, the official spokesperson for the Special Olympics-UNICEF USA Partnership.
This is an exciting year for Jamie Meyer, UNICEF USA Southern California Regional Board Member, her family and UNICEF USA. Chuck and Jamie’s daughter, the official spokesperson for the Special Olympics – UNICEF USA Partnership and Spokesperson for UNICEF USA, Lucy Meyer, graduated from high school in May and launched the expansion of this critical Partnership. UNICEF USA and Special Olympics are also thrilled to raise $2 million together over three years to promote access and inclusion for children with disabilities.
To celebrate these exciting milestones, family, friends and partners came together for an evening reception at Mr. C Beverly Hills on June 4th, 2019. Nearly 200 people attended the event, which also boasted video dedications from congressional members such as Senators Dianne Feinstein, Senator Chris Coons, Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Kamala Harris, in addition to UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
Figure 1. Captivated audience of friends and supporters.
Worldwide, one in every 10 children has a disability. Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society. They are less likely to realize their rights to health care and education and are more likely to experience violence, exploitation and abuse than children without disabilities.
“I am so excited to be graduating from high school tomorrow,” said Lucy. “I plan to devote my gap year to advocate for Special Olympics and UNICEF USA to help all kids but especially kids with disabilities around the world. I am doing this because I know it changes lives and it really makes a difference around the world...There are 93 million children with disabilities in the world.”
Figure 2. David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia.
Caryl Stern, President and CEO of UNICEF USA, and David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia, spoke on the importance of the Special Olympics – UNICEF USA Partnership and of Lucy’s remarkable leadership in advocating for children with disabilities everywhere. “We, as two organizations, have made a choice that the sum of our parts is better than us individually,” said Caryl Stern. “In a time when this country is so separated and divided, it’s really a wonderful thing.”
Figure 3. Caryl Stern, President and CEO of UNICEF USA.
The event raised approximately $100,000 for the Partnership and Lucy captivated the audience with her fearless advocacy and endearing commitment to vulnerable children everywhere.
For more information on Lucy and the Special Olympics-UNICEF USA Partnership, click here. To learn more about activities in the Southern California Region in support of UNICEF, please email us at socal@unicefusa.org.
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