Alyssa Milano, Sterling McDavid, Pier 1 Imports Honored at 2nd Annual UNICEF Children First Gala in Dallas, TX

On Friday evening, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF hosted the 2nd annual Children’s First: An Evening with UNICEF gala at Sixty Five Hundred in Dallas, Texas, which raised funds to support UNICEF’s mission to save and improve children’s lives.   

A view of the dining room at the Children First. An Evening With UNICEF on April 15, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for U.S. Fund for UNICEF)

The event honored actress Alyssa Milano with the Spirit of Compassion Award for her work in support of children throughout 13 years as a UNICEF Ambassador.  Pier 1 Imports also received the UNICEF Children First Award, accepted by President and CEO Alex W. Smith, for their 31-year commitment to raising funds and awareness for the organization, while Sterling McDavid, UNICEF Next Generation National Development Committee Chair, was presented with the inaugural NextGen Champion for Children Award, for her dedication to helping children globally.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF Co-Chair/Southwest Regional Board Vice Chair Joyce Goss, UNICEF Co-Chair Jessica Nowitzki, UNICEF Ambassador and recipient of the 'Spirit of Compassion' award Alyssa Milano and U.S. Fund for UNICEF Southwest Regional Board Chair Selwyn Rayzor at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX

Alyssa Milano said, "I’m truly grateful to be part of this special family making a difference for our world’s children.  I say family, because to me, that’s what UNICEF is: a global family. Becoming a mother has only intensified the pride I feel for this organization.  No parent should ever have to go through the pain and suffering of losing their child to preventable causes.  I hope that my dedication to UNICEF one day inspires my own children to take action and live a life that focuses on giving.”  

UNICEF Ambassador and recipient of the 'Spirit of Compassion' award Alyssa Milano speaks at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX.

Over the course of the evening, guests enjoyed a performance by country singer Sara Evans, a seated dinner and a live auction presented by Louis Murad. More than 330 guests attended the gala hosted by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers raising over $730,000 in support of UNICEF’s work.

Singer-songwriter Sara Evans (R) performs at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX.

 Notable attendees included actress Naomie Harris, event Co-Chairs Joyce Goss and Jessica Nowitzki with Dallas Chair, Let us Learn’s Serena Simmons Connelly as well as leadership committee members Catie Enrico, Sheryl Maas, Selwyn Rayzor, Leigh Rinearson, Gowri Sharma and D’Andra Simmons.

Actress Naomie Harris, Nasiba Adilova and Federica Fanari at the CHILDREN FIRST. AN EVENING WITH UNICEF in Dallas, TX

Auction packages featured a dinner with Dirk Nowitzki and friends, a “Madam Secretary” Experience with UNICEF Ambassador Téa Leoni, Manhattan in Style: New York Fashion Week, and a trip to the field to see UNICEF's work for children in action.

The School in a Box kit contains supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 40 students. The purpose of the kit is to ensure the continuation of children's education by the first 72 hours of an emergency.

Children First: An Evening with UNICEF Honoring Alyssa Milano, Pier 1 Imports, and Sterling McDavid

Friday, April 15, 2016

6:30 PM  Cocktails

7:30 PM  Dinner & Program

After Party to Follow

Sixty Five Hundred - 6500 Cedar Springs Road | Dallas

 

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF will host the second annual Children First: An Evening with UNICEF event, presented by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers. Celebrating UNICEF’s work in more than 190 countries, the event also serves as a tribute to outstanding humanitarian leaders for their support of the organization’s mission to save and improve children’s lives around the world. 

 

Alyssa Milano, the actress best known for her roles in Who’s the Boss?, Melrose Place, Charmed and most recently Mistresses, who currently is the host and a judge on Project Runway All Stars, will be honored with the Spirit of Compassion Award for her tireless work in support of children through more than 10 years as a UNICEF Ambassador.

 

Pier 1 Imports will be the recipient of the UNICEF Children First Award for their 31-year commitment to raising awareness and funds for the organization. Pier 1 Imports’ President and CEO, Alex W. Smith, will be accepting the award on Pier 1 Imports’ behalf.

 

Sterling McDavid, the UNICEF Next Generation National Development Committee Chair, will be presented with the inaugural NextGen Champion for Children Award, for her dedication and efforts to raise awareness in her community of issues affecting children globally.

 

The evening will feature a live performance by country singer Sara Evans. Live auction presented by Louis Murad. The fundraiser will support UNICEF’s life-saving programs worldwide and a portion of the funds raised during the live auction will also benefit UNICEF’s Let Us Learn program, which supports educational projects in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Liberia, Madagascar and Nepal.

 

Children First: An Evening with UNICEF will be Co-Chaired by Joyce Goss and Jessica Nowitzki with Dallas Chair, Let Us Learn’s Serena Simmons Connelly. The event’s leadership committee includes Catie Enrico, Sheryl Maas, Selwyn Rayzor, Leigh Rinearson, Gowri Sharma and D’Andra Simmons.

More information on UNICEF and this event: http://www.unicefchildrenfirsttexas.org/