New York, NY, June 23, 2010 – New York real estate developer Matthew Blesso hosted a lively evening cocktail party and fundraiser on June 15 to support the work of Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) in establishing long-term assistance programs for orphaned and vulnerable children in Haiti.

The special event, held at Blesso’s award-winning eco-friendly Manhattan penthouse, featured illuminating visuals, carnivalesque dance and musical performances both inside and on the rooftop deck.  Guests tasted Haitian cuisine by Chef John Berninzoni, while enjoying captivating performances from some of New York City’s most acclaimed musicians and performers including Johnny Fox, a sword swallowing magician; Lady Circus, performance artists and aerialists; and the Stumblebum Brass Band.

WWO Founder and CEO Dr. Jane Aronson served as the evening’s Special Guest. Dr. Aronson, an internationally-renown pediatrician specializing in orphaned children worldwide, recently traveled with Blesso, a WWO board member, on a six-day mission trip to Haiti to launch assistance programs to improve the lives and well-being of thousands of Haiti’s orphaned and vulnerable children in the quake’s aftermath. 

Tens of thousands of the country’s children were orphaned by the natural disaster that struck in mid-January. UNICEF estimates that some 380,000 orphaned children had already lost one or both parents prior to the quake.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will support WWO programming to develop psychosocial and development initiatives and a global arts program for orphaned children in Haiti. In the fall, WWO will launch its signature “Granny program” – called “Jeune Grandmeres” or young grandmothers – an early intervention program which trains and employs youth and adult caretakers to work in orphanages to enhance the growth and development of orphans.

"WWO is grateful for Matthew Blesso’s commitment to support the life-changing work of WWO in making a difference in the lives of Haiti’s most vulnerable children,” said Dr. Aronson. “After witnessing the great needs of children impacted by the devastating earthquake, Matt vowed to help support WWO in its efforts to ensure that children in Haiti are given opportunities to grow and thrive to reach their fullest potential as any child in the U.S.” Dr. Aronson was recognized as one of Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year” 2009.

The evening soiree also doubled as a party to celebrate Blesso’s birthday. ”It was wonderful to celebrate my birthday as a fundraiser and have so many people participate from so many different parts of my life,” said Blesso, who also hosted a fundraiser of musical performances for WWO in 2009. “It was an amazing event and we raised a lot of money for WWO’s initiatives in Haiti.”

About Worldwide Orphans Foundation

The mission of Worldwide Orphans Foundation is to transform the lives of orphaned children around the world by addressing their unique needs through medical, developmental, psychosocial and educational programs.  For more information, please visit www.wwo.org. Read about Matt's recent trip, click here.