Love Heals 2014 Gala Raises Over $600,000 To Support HIV/AIDS Education
New York, NY, March 12, 2014 – Tuesday evening, March 11th, Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education raised over $600,000 at their gala event at The Four Seasons Restaurant in Manhattan. All proceeds from the evening directly support Love Heals’ efforts to protect the next generation of New Yorkers from HIV.

John Demsey, Group President of The Estée Lauder Companies and Chairman of the MAC AIDS Fund, Danielle Snyder, Co-Founder and Creative Director, and Jodie Snyder Morel, Co-Founder and CEO, of DANNIJO and Bronson van Wyck, Founder of Workshop of the World and Van Wyck & Van Wyck were honored for their outstanding philanthropic work in the area of HIV and AIDS. InStyle’s Hal Rubenstein emceed the evening and presided over an exciting live auction that raised $185,000.

Guests included: co-founders, Dini von Mueffling, Stefani Greenfield and Victoria Leacock Hoffman, actors Mary Louise Parker, Kelly Rutherford and Kyle Maclachlan, Geraldo Rivera, TV personality and chef Carla Hall, Kelly Bensimon, fashion designer Rachel Roy, Broadway’s Justin Vivian Bond, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Amy Astley, Ann Caruso, Lady Lilliana Cavendish, Somers Farkas, Jill Furman, Sophie B. Hawkins, Jill and Harry Kargman, interior designer Celerie Kemble, Coco and Arie Kopelman, Julie Macklowe, Sean MacPherson and Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, Jill Martin, Annelise Peterson, Fiona and Eric Rudin, Jean Shafiroff and Derek Warburton among others.

The Today Show’s Natalie Morales presented the Snyder sisters’ “Young Philanthropist Award,” which they accepted joyfully saying, “We’re so honored to be recognized by Love Heals. We truly believe in their mission to empower young people to become leaders by giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence to protect themselves and their communities from HIV. Educating and empowering our youth is the first step to increasing awareness that the disease is still very much rampant. It’s unfortunate that many of today’s youth see it with a nonchalant attitude, and Love Heals combats this ignorance.”

Alina Cho and Sarah Brown [above], and Mary Louise Parker [below]

Architectural Digest Editor in Chief Margaret Russell presented Van Wyck’s award. In a heartfelt acceptance speech Van Wyck told guests, “I believe that compassion, generosity, kindness and decency can be used to help balance the uneven distribution of blessings in this world. Love Heals really exemplifies these qualities. Thank you for this exceptional honor.”

Jodie Snyder Morel and Danielle Snyder

Margaret Russell [above] and Sophie B. Hawkins [below]

Noted fashion journalist and Editor at Large at Random House Alina Cho presented Demsey’s Award. As Chairman of the MAC AIDS Fund, Demsey took pride in Love Heals’ recognition of his work, stating, “ I am honored to work alongside Love Heals to educate and serve people of all ages, all races and all sexes living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The courageous platform of Love Heals states that prevention and edification on the subject of HIV and AIDS is significant to everyone, in all corners of the world and from all walks of life.” He added, “Together, we know that M·A·C Cosmetics and Love Heals can continue to raise awareness and proactively change the face of the epidemic.”

Love Heals co-founder Dini von Mueffling was delighted with the tremendous support of the Gala’s honorees and guests. “I am so grateful to our honorees and all who turned out to support them and the lifesaving work of Love Heals. Our work in HIV/AIDS education is more critical than ever, as 25% of new infections occur in young people ages 13-25 and stigma about the disease has risen again. Love Heals will continue to combat these statistics and last night’s event helps immensely,” von Mueffling stated.

About Love Heals
Founded in 1992 to carry on the work of the late AIDS activist Ali Gertz, Love Heals empowers young people to become leaders by giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence to protect themselves and their communities from HIV. Love Heals’ HIV-positive speakers break down stigma and make the disease real for young people living in communities hardest hit by the epidemic. The leading provider of HIV/AIDS education in New York City public schools, Love Heals has partnered with more than 700 schools and community groups throughout the metropolitan area, educating and empowering more than 630,000 young people, parents, guardians, educators, and community leaders.