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GREENWICH, Conn. Bronxville resident Andrea Collins received the Humanitarian Award from Save the Children for her 26 years of work with the global charity at a Friday night fundraiser hosted by the aid organizations Greenwich and Westchester leadership councils.
Andrea has been a huge friend to children and has done a lot of work for children in the U.S. and around the world for many years, and so she was a natural choice for this award, said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of the charity. Andrea has devoted many hours not only to us, but to other causes as well. Her imprint and input is literally global.
Save the Children is the best organization of its kind. I am the one truly honored to be part of Save the Children tonight, Collins said. It has allowed me to be purposely engaged and feel empowered at a grassroots level.
Eight Bronxville women from the organizations Westchester Leadership Council were among the more than 300 attendees who cheered Collins as she accepted the award.
Andrea is a grass-roots and hands-on person, which is what I love about her. Her support is multifaceted, said Stephanie Garbanni, who serves alongside Collins on the council.
Another Bronxville resident, Karin Kuhns, said she came to support the longtime volunteer after learning about the efforts of Save the Children from Collins. Kuhns, too, soon became involved.
She has done so much to help the lives of so many children and Ive seen it firsthand, Kuhns said, who accompanied Collins on a visit to Haiti in 2009.
Collins, who also serves on the organizations board of trustees, said she was overwhelmed by the honor and the accolades. This is definitely not something I expected, she said.
Garbanni, along with Bronxvilles Judy Foley, Sonya Gaffney, Carol Godfrey, Linda Jones, Tracy McVey, Linda Rodd and Tina Staudt, organized a silent and live auction at the benefit, which was expected to raise about $500,000 for the charity Friday night. That money is being earmarked for early childhood programs, including literacy, in the U.S. and worldwide, Miles said.
Bid items included a wine-and-cheese basket donated by local purveyor Dobbs and Bishop, Staudt said. The local chapters fundraising, advocacy and awareness programs have received strong support from Bronxville residents and businesses over the years, she added.
Actress Jennifer Connelly was introduced to attendees at the event as the celebrity advocate for the organizations efforts. Television personalities Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, co-hosts of the fourth hour of NBCs Today morning show, also attended as co-hosts of the benefit.
Strong stories need good beginnings, and millions of children will not receive that without our investment in their future, Connelly said.
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