Co-Founders Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz To Co-Host Event at The Waldorf Astoria in NYC on April 9
New York – March 11, 2014 – HealthCorps®, leaders in the nationwide movement of healthy young people, will honor Goldie Hawn, Gloria Steinem and The California Endowment for contributions to the health and well-being of American youth at their 8th Annual Gala on Wednesday, April 9. The “Savory Garden Gala” at The Waldorf Astoria New York will raise funds for HealthCorps to continue its fight against child obesity and expand its groundbreaking in-school health education programming, including “HealthCorps University,” the professional development program that brings its curriculum to virtually any school.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, HealthCorps Chairman, renowned heart surgeon and Daytime Emmy Award-winning host of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning “The Dr. Oz Show,” and his wife Lisa Oz will co-host the Gala. The evening will applaud the work of Ms. Hawn, Academy Award-winning actress, author and founder of The Hawn Foundation; Ms. Steinem, feminist writer and activist; and The California Endowment, who have partnered with HealthCorps in the Active Alliance to improve the health of children through exercise, nutrition and education in the state California. The couple co-founded HealthCorps 11 years ago to engage youth as the catalysts for simple lifestyle changes that will enhance their health and the health of their families.
HealthCorps supporters expected to attend include: actor Ben Vereen, talk show host Montel Williams; singer Jermaine Paul; author/actor Alejandro Chaban; reigning Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf; as well as celebrity chefs Rocco Dispirito, Candice Kumai, George Duran and Jorge Pineda.
“On behalf of HealthCorps, we are honored to recognize Goldie Hawn, Gloria Steinem and The California Endowment at our annual gala for their impressive dedication to building the physical strength and mental resilience of past, present and future generations,” said Dr. Oz. “As the nation continues to battle the obesity epidemic, Lisa and I count on the support of this event so we can further grow HealthCorps’ in-school programs, expand our reach into communities and continue to forge ahead in the fight against childhood obesity.”
Michelle Bouchard, HealthCorps President, said, “The Gala is a celebration of HealthCorps’ growth and accomplishments, as well as a time to lay out our goals for the future. We look forward to championing the work of our honorees, Goldie Hawn, Gloria Steinem and The California Endowment, as well as showcasing HealthCorps’ programming over the past year. Every day the work we do touches lives and changes lives, the Gala honors that work and those that do it.”
The Gala’s cocktail “health fair” hour will feature booths where celebrity chefs, strategic partners and Coordinators highlight the HealthCorps’ curriculum. The main event will include a seated black tie dinner accompanied by an online auction, acceptance speeches by the honorees and a performance by Broadway performer Stepp Stewart. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://healthcorps.org/gala.
Proceeds raised at the Gala will be used to establish HealthCorps’ curriculum in additional high schools through its coordinator program and “HealthCorps University.” By 2015, HealthCorps hopes to have a presence in 100 schools.
HealthCorps national sponsors include: USANA Health Sciences Inc., Continental Resources, The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and The California Endowment. Other significant sponsors include: the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, the New Jersey Department of Health, 4point4 Foundation, Desert Healthcare District, the VEMMA Nutrition Company, the California Walnut Board, the Dalio Foundation, Florida East Coast Realty, Sanofi US, PowerCrunch and many others. Wine and spirits are provided by MHW Ltd including Punzone Vodka.
About HealthCorps
HealthCorps® is a 501 (c) 3 founded in 2003 by heart surgeon and Daytime Emmy Award-winning host Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife Lisa to combat the childhood obesity crisis. HealthCorps® is building a nationwide movement to shape a new generation.
HealthCorps® “Coordinators” carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Using peer-mentoring to deliver a progressive curriculum in nutrition, fitness and mental strength, HealthCorps® Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character, and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers. HealthCorps® also serves as a unique research laboratory – exploring the complex, underlying causes of the obesity crisis and discovering and communicating solutions. HealthCorps® is bringing many initiatives together to address the “Whole Child” and activate the students’ mind, body and spirit. As a result, HealthCorps® is transforming the educational paradigm one school at a time. The program network spans 62 schools in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
In the fall of 2012, HealthCorps introduced HealthCorps University, a new “train the trainer” professional development program that makes the HealthCorps principles and curriculum available to virtually any school. Through HealthCorps University and the Coordinator program, HealthCorps hopes to have a presence in 100 schools by 2015.
You can follow HealthCorps on Twitter and on Facebook.
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CONTACT:
Karen Johnson, Chief Communications Officer
HealthCorps®
Phone: 212-742-2875
Email: Karen.Johnson@HealthCorps.org
Maria Poulos
Gala Press
Phone: 201-232-5391
Email: mariaspoulos@gmail.com
