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On Tuesday, March
25, entrepreneur, music artist, fashion designer and media
icon
Paris Hilton
was recognized
for her outstanding charitable work in a sold-out,
glittering gala luncheon at The Mar-a-Lago
Club in Palm Beach
hosted by Lois Pope and American Humane Association.
Surrounded by more than 340 supporters, including
philanthropists, members of the Hilton family and The Conrad
Hilton Foundation, and a crowd of passionate animal welfare
advocates from Palm Beach to Wellington, New York to Texas,
and even California, Ms. Hilton was presented with American
Humane Association’s prestigious award, the National
Humanitarian Medal, for her support of a wide range of
worthy causes and organizations benefiting the most
vulnerable.
Among the many
organizations she has supported are American Humane
Association, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Children’s
Hospital of Los Angeles, ACT for MS, The Art of Elysium,
MusiCares, The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes,
Cancer Research UK, Cathy's Kids Foundation, Clothes Off Our
Back, Education Africa, Feeding America, Gibson Girl
Foundation, Leeza's Place, Life Rolls On Foundation,
Make-A-Wish Foundation, Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness
Centre, Playing For Good, Precious Paws, Race to Erase MS,
Richie Madden Children's Foundation, Soles4Souls,
and the Union Rescue Mission.
“Paris Hilton has
given selflessly of her talent and her time to so many good
causes, ranging from animal rescue to pediatric cancer,”
said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane
Association. “It is for us who have come together today to
celebrate the humane movement to give thanks to those who
advance the core values of caring, compassion and hope, and
take that message to the world. During the past year, Ms.
Hilton was part of a group of celebrities that reached 30
million Americans in a single night following our annual
Hero Dog Awards, and recorded a television public service
announcement that brought in critically needed charitable
dollars to protect animals, help promote effective new
interventions for children with cancer with animal-assisted
therapy, and rescue animals caught in disasters. As an
organization that works to help children and animals in
their times of greatest need, we appreciate her efforts to
gain global support for the major issues and challenges they
face so that together we may make a difference.”
“I am very happy to
be involved with the American Humane Association and it
means so much to be honored by an organization that helps
protect children and animals – two groups that I have always
been very passionate about helping,” said Hilton. “I feel
privileged to be associated with such an amazing
organization and I look forward to continuing to work with
American Humane Association, and ultimately making a
different to the lives of children and animals all over the
world. I encourage people everywhere to support this
charity. Everyone can make a difference.”
The National
Humanitarian Luncheon is part of the “Be Humane” Series
sponsored by philanthropist Lois Pope and American Humane
Association, featuring internationally known speakers on
topics affecting the nation’s children and animals. The gala
event featured a spectacular performance by consummate
entertainer, performer and one of the country’s finest
vocalists Clint Holmes with musical director Jeffrey Neiman,
who brought down the house with their unique renditions of
favorites out of
The Great American Songbook and Broadway hits.
Proceeds from the
event went to support the Lois Pope Red Star Rescue team
based in Palm Beach County, Florida, and educational
initiatives designed to nurture humane communities. After
the luncheon, guests and visitors flocked to see the
50-foot-long Lois Pope Red Star Rescue Vehicle, which was
parked outside on the lawn in a special appearance at Mar-a-Lago.
The emergency response vehicle, which debuted last year
through the generosity of Mrs. Pope, has already deployed to
assist in some of the country’s biggest disasters, including
the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. The giant truck carries a
contingent of trained Red Star volunteers and enough
equipment to shelter 100 animals. In just the past 10 years,
American Humane Association has rescued more than 80,000
animals from disasters and cruelty cases, and with the help
of supporters like philanthropist Lois Pope, Paris Hilton,
and other friends, the organization hopes to do even more,
bringing help and hope anytime, anywhere.
“The world knows
Paris Hilton from her international brands and businesses,
her work as a model and designer, from her line of
incredibly successful fragrances, from her work on
television and most recently, and as a music artist and a
major player in the world of deejaying and electronic dance
music,” said Mrs. Pope. “But those at the American Humane
Association know a fundamental truth about her that truly
defines who she is, that she is someone who cares deeply
about people and animals, and that she has used her success
in so many diverse fields to help those in need. Paris just
doesn’t talk the talk, she walks the walk, working
tirelessly to give animals and all of us a better life.”
American Humane Association’s mission
is to create a more humane
and compassionate world
by ending abuse and neglect of
children and animals.
www.AmericanHumane.org
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