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Updated: October 26, 2009, 10:51 pm	Share    Print    Email

Susan Lucci to be honored by NYSPCC on October 26, along with Avon Products, Inc. Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung. Image courtesy of Google Images

New York City - The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC), the world's first child protection agency, will honor Avon Products, Inc. Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung and Emmy-award winning actress Susan Lucci at its 2009 Gala on October 26 at 583 Park in Manhattan.

Emmy-award winning journalist and Inside Edition host Deborah Norville will serve as emcee for the Gala, which will include remarks from famed columnist and former NYSPCC honoree Liz Smith. Gala Chairpersons include Amanda and Neil Friedman, President of Mattel Brands, and Jacquie and Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO of Toys "R" Us, Inc. Gala Co-Chairpersons include Elizabeth Bartlett, Elizabeth Mayhew and Karl G. Wellner.

As the world's first child protection agency, The NYSPCC responds to the complex needs of abused and neglected children, and those involved in their care, by providing best practice counseling, legal and educational services. Through research, communications and training initiatives, they work to expand these programs to prevent abuse and help more children heal.

"Susan Lucci is dedicated to improving the lives of children not only in the U.S., but also in Africa. She has brought much needed attention to the neglect and abuse many children face on a daily basis. Andrea Jung has also shown herself to be a committed leader in promoting the welfare of children through the work of the Avon Foundation. Since 2008, the Avon Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to organizations that help children who are affected by domestic violence. It gives us great pleasure to honor both of these exceptional advocates at this year's Gala," said David Stack, President of The NYSPCC.

"The NYSPCC provides vulnerable children with critically important protection. It is a great honor to be praised by an organization that makes such a significant difference in the lives of children and families every day," said Lucci, who plays Erica Kane on the show "All My Children." "A pioneering agency, The NYSPCC, recognized the need to keep New York City's children safe and provide them with the tools to succeed not only in school, but also in life. I am truly honored to be recognized by an agency that has supported this important cause for nearly 135 years," said Jung.

"Both Susan's and Andrea's work on the behalf of children and families corresponds with our deep belief that the well-being of children is the responsibility of everyone. It gives us great joy to be honoring them at this year's event," said Mary Pulido, Executive Director of The NYSPCC.

NYSPCC Gala Highlights Iinclude
 • Remarks by Liz Smith. Smith is an award winning journalist and columnist and former NYSPCC honoree.
 • Deborah Norville as emcee. Norville is the Emmy-award winning anchor of the highly regarded syndicated news magazine show "Inside Edition." Her many other high-profile television journalism assignments have included hosting MSNBC's "Deborah Norville Tonight."
 • Dance music from Alex Donner & His Orchestra.

About The NYSPCC
Founded in 1875 in Manhattan, The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) is the world's first child protection agency. It works to develop and carry out programs that protect children from harm and ensure their healthy development. The NYSPCC has investigated more than 650,000 cases on the behalf of over two million children and has educated over 44,000 professionals working with children on neglect issues and child abuse.

The NYSPCC's programs are aimed at: helping children recover from witnessing family violence, enduring physical and/or sexual abuse or parental substance abuse; promoting healthy parenting through skills training, education and guidance; providing group counseling and sexual abuse prevention workshops to "high-risk" children in New York City schools; providing education for professionals on detecting and reporting abuse and neglect; facilitating visits between children and their non-custodial parents in a safe, supportive environment; and advocating for legislative action that protects children and strengthens families.

For more information contact Katarina Wenk-Bodenmiller at Sommerfield Communications, Inc. at 212-255-8386, or email katarina@sommerfield.com.