Tennis Legend Stefanie Graf Takes Part in Longines Women Who Make a Difference Awards and Longines Center Court for Kids Clinic

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennis legend, philanthropist, and Longines ambassador Stefanie Graf teamed up with Longines this week for two special events, the Longines Women Who Make a Difference Awards and the Longines Center Court for Kids Clinic in Harlem.

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On Wednesday night, Town&Country Magazine and Longines, the Swiss watch company, partnered for the third straight year to celebrate extraordinary women who have made an impact on children's lives. Three women were selected to be honored at the elegant dinner which took place at Hearst Tower in New York City and hosted by Longines, Graf and Town&Country's Senior Vice President/Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer Valerie Salembier.  Honorees included Ann McGee, founder and President of Miracle Flights for Kids; Ann Tisch, founder and President of the Young Women's Leadership Network; and Gracie Cavnar, founder and CEO of Recipe for Success Foundation.

"Longines is honored to help celebrate the incredible contributions and impact that these women have had on America's youth," said Jennifer Judkins, U.S. Brand President. "These women have identified a need in their community and are doing everything in their power to help.  Their organizations will continue to make a lasting impression on the lives of countless children and they deserve to be recognized for their selfless and tireless efforts."

In addition to gifting each honoree a sparkling Longines Dolce Vita steel and rose gold timepiece, Longines also donated on behalf of each attendee to the charity of their choice.  Guests chose among Miracle Flights for Kids, Young Women's Leadership Network or Recipe for Success Foundation.

As part of the honor, the women and their organizations will be featured in the February 2012 issue of Town&Country.

Following the event on Thursday morning, Graf was on familiar turf as the 22-time Grand Slam champion took to the tennis courts at the Harlem Armory for the Longines Center Court for Kids Clinic.

"I'm sincerely honored to be here today as part of the Longines Center Court for Kids Clinic," said Graf.  "It's so much fun hitting with the kids from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Educational Program.  Teaching children about the significance of education and staying active is very important to me because I believe participating in a sport at a young age teaches hard work, perseverance and discipline."

The event is part of Longines' global commitment to support and develop tennis superstars of tomorrow. Members of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Educational Program, Harlem Children's Zone and Ann Tisch's Young Women's Leadership School took part in the clinic led by Graf.  She was joined by several tennis greats: Grand Slam winner Murphy Jensen, former professional and current Executive Director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Educational Program Katrina Adams and 18-year-old Sloane Stephens, who advanced to the women's singles third round in the U.S. Open main draw last week. The Harlem Junior Tennis and Educational Program provides summer tennis and educational programs for nearly 500 children ages 7-18.  

Town&Country has chronicled American life since 1846, always putting an emphasis on people of style and accomplishment who give something back to the world, whether in service, philanthropy or creative endeavor. It is edited with a feeling for storytelling, combining the highest level of reporting with the very best photography. Town&Country is also an acute observer of the broader social landscape, documenting notable weddings and parties, chronicling the pastimes and passions of leading figures and families everywhere, and casting an anthropological eye on the lives of the rich and powerful in a way that exposes surprising truths about us all. The magazine is a trusted source of privileged information, taste, elegant living, and unpretentious fun. It is an irreplaceable guide to the very best that the world has to offer. Town&Country Weddings, established in 2003, is published twice a year. In addition to these print properties, Town&Country launched its first mobile app, the Town&Country Luxury City Guide, in 2010.

Longines

Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on nearly 180 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World's leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries. www.longines.com

SOURCE Longines