Evening Cocktail Reception Raises Awareness and Support for Worldwide Orphans Foundation

NEW YORK, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- New York banker Andrew Drexel Allen hosted an evening cocktail reception on March 1 to raise awareness and support for the work of Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) in its effort to address the unique needs of orphans and vulnerable children worldwide through medical, developmental, psychosocial and educational programs.  

The cocktail reception was held at the Soho loft of Mr. Allen, who recently joined the Board of WWO.   Mr. Allen is a First Vice President at Merrill Lynch and co-founder of The Harbor Group, a prominent Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Team. 

More than 100 guests feasted on hors d'oeuvres by Gavin McLaughlin Chef Services, a small luxury catering and private chef service based in New York and Far Hills, NJ. Nicholas Allen, brother of Andrew Allen, provided wine for the reception from his California boutique wine label, CARTE BLANCHE.

WWO Founder and CEO Dr. Jane Aronson served as the evening's Special Guest. Dr. Aronson, an internationally-renown pediatrician specializing in orphans, offered remarks on the mission and life-changing work of WWO in the countries where it serves.

Guests viewed a powerful short film on Dr. Aronson's recent mission trip to Haiti, one year after the devastating earthquake, where she assessed the plight of Haitian orphans and laid the groundwork for WWO's long-term assistance programs.  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.

"WWO is absolutely thrilled to have Andrew as a WWO board member," said Dr. Aronson. "We are deeply grateful for his commitment to support WWO in its effort to transform the lives of the world's orphans and help them reach their full potential." Dr. Aronson was recognized as one of Glamour Magazine's "Women of the Year" 2009.

"Having children of my own is the reason I gravitated to WWO and have become passionate since spending time with Dr. Jane Aronson and her dedicated Board members," said Allen. "I have a strong sense of global responsibility and I look forward to raising awareness, funds and getting involved firsthand with WWO."

ABOUT WORLDWIDE ORPHANS FOUNDATION:

The mission of Worldwide Orphans Foundation is to transform the lives of orphaned children around the world.  For more information, please visit www.wwo.org.

Photo link: www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=36390&home=1

SOURCE Worldwide Orphans Foundation