23rd Annual JustWorld International Gala Celebrates Global Impact and Founding Ambassadors
JustWorld International supporters and friends gathered on January 22, in Wellington, Florida, to celebrate the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education and to raise funds to expand its global impact at the 23rd Annual JustWorld International Gala.
As a highlight of the evening, co-emcees Steven Wilde and Hailey Hak took the stage to recognize seven original JustWorld Ambassadors. For more than two decades, these professional riders have committed to helping create educational opportunities for children in underserved communities in Honduras, Cambodia, Guatemala, and close to home in Belle Glade, Florida. Those honorees included U.S. Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut; Guatemalan Olympian Juan Andres Rodriguez; U.S. team rider Francie Steinwedell-Carvin; Irish Olympic rider Kevin Babington; Canadian team rider Angela Covert; French World Champion Eric Navet; and French Olympic rider Hervé Godignon.
Gala honorees included (from left) Juan Andres Rodriguez, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin, Kevin Babington and Angela Covert
SO CHILL MEDIA PHOTO
“I’m proud of everything JustWorld has accomplished and proud to have been part of it since the beginning,” Covert said. “This recognition feels like the icing on the cake.”
Guests enjoyed a vibrant Caribbean-themed evening, a nod to Gala Co-Chair Heidi Lalor, President of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica, who co-chaired the event alongside Maria Newman, whose beautiful Belle Herbe Farm hosted the event.
Heidi Lalor, President of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica, co-chaired the JustWorld International Gala.
IVAN GUTIERREZ PHOTO
JustWorld International board members traveled from the U.S. and abroad to attend, including founding board member Jessica Newman; Mike Lawrence and Karen Sparks of Canada; François Besençon of Switzerland; and Evan Lefsky and Christine Vergari of the United States.
JustWorld International board members (from left) Mike Lawrence, Jessica Newman and Francois Besencon celebrated more than two decades of global impact.
SO CHILL MEDIA PHOTO
Special guest Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes, CNN Hero and founder of El Patojismo, JustWorld’s partner school in Guatemala, addressed attendees to share firsthand insight into the organization’s programs. During the Call to Heart for pledges, he illustrated the tangible impact of donor support, noting, for instance, that a $500 gift supplies 12 months of clean drinking water for schoolchildren in Cambodia, while $5,000 funds a teacher’s salary for an entire year in Guatemala.
Guests like JustWorld Ambassador Lexi Pathy bid with enthusiasm on an array of curated equestrian items and unique experiences in the JustWorld Annual Gala’s live auction.
COURTNEY MOTZ PHOTO
International ringmaster Pedro Cebulka once again brought energy and expertise to the evening, including during the live auction. Top-selling items included a VIP table at the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in Miami and a French experience curated by Maria Newman, featuring three nights at Deauville’s Normandy Hotel, a guided day trip to Honfleur, two nights at Château La Chenevière, and two nights at the Plaza Athénée in Paris.
JustWorld International Founder Jessica Newman (center) celebrated with her mother and gala co-chair Maria Newman, along with long-time supporters (from left) Mark Samuel, Pedro Cebulka and Kevin Sanford.
CRISTINA HAASE PHOTOGRAPHY
The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Sebilion/Robert I. Goldman Foundation, Eye Candy Jumpers, Belle Herbe Farm, Caryl Philips, Artemis Farms, Kimberly Griffiths and Paul Broder, the Rein family, Stridefull, Voltaire Designs, Palm Beach International Academy, Global Billionaire, Tri-Vin Wines and Spirits, Sangsters, Thrivent, William & Harry Golf, Barton & Gray Mariners Club, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Sponsors like Kimberly Griffiths and friends made the night a huge success.
CRISTINA HAASE PHOTOGRAPHY
JustWorld also extends its gratitude to Gala Committee members Flavia Callari, Jayne Chase, Shanell Foster, Sophie Ghedin, Laura Greenstreet, Tasha Hipwood, Jenny Oz LeRoy, Luc Limbourg, JoAnn Palazzo, Arlette Rigby, Anne Speiser, Debbie Sweeney, and Gardo Vincken for generously donating their time, talent, and dedication to support the event and the mission.
When the auction ended, the party began at the 23rd Annual JustWorld International Gala.
IVAN GUTIERREZ PHOTO
# # #
JustWorld International
Established in 2003, JustWorld International was created to connect equestrians with a direct way to help fracture the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, and nutrition programs for children around the world. Ambassadors from more than forty countries have since committed to “Ride for the Cause” and transform the lives of children through equestrian sport. Envisioning a more just world, the nonprofit organization cultivates strategic, project partnerships in a collaborative approach to impact the lives of nearly 10,000 children around the globe on a daily basis.
To donate, become an Ambassador, or learn more about JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org or @justworldinternational on Facebook and Instagram.
JustWorld International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and tax-deductible donations are accepted in the United States. JustWorld International has no political or religious affiliation.
