Children First Foundation has successful gala at Lincoln Center

Maybe you were among the lucky ones to attend The Children First Foundation's Gala Concert for Adoption held at Avery Fisher Hall on Wednesday evening, April 11. The appreciative crowd enjoyed both the magnificent New York Philharmonic concert and the CFF reception on the Grand Promenade that followed. Lincoln Center's stunning views created an elegant backdrop to the evening's award ceremony.

Glenn Chambers (above), Senator Brownback's Chief of Staff

Msgr. Finn of St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers gave the opening invocation. Dr. Elizabeth Rex, CFF co-founder and President, along with her husband Charles (violinist with the NY Philharmonic and co-founder of The CFF) were there to greet and encourage all who came with thanks for each person's own unique contribution to the pro-life cause. Elizabeth introduced Master of Ceremonies, Larry Kudlow as a "pro-life hero in his own right". Mr. Kudlow, a familiar face and voice to many, is CEO of Kudlow & Co., LLC, an economic and investment research firm and host of CNBC's "Kudlow & Company" and host of the Larry Kudlow Show on WABC Radio on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Acknowledging that the true heroes were sitting in the audience, he spoke of his own conversion to Catholicism a dozen years ago as a "great new life given him by Christ". He spoke of his pro-life views as not a popular stance in this business, but one that continually encourages his belief that "anything that can be done should be done" to help a woman in crisis keep her child.

Master of Ceremonies Larry Kudlow (above)

Richard Greco, CFF Advisory Board Member and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy told the audience that U.S. Senator Sam Brownback was unable to attend the event due to the conflicting Senate vote on stem cell research. President Bush's veto was not overridden in the final vote tally, he told the crowd who applauded loudly. He introduced Glenn Chambers, the Senator's Chief of Staff.

Tom Atwood, President and CEO of National Council For Adoption (NCFA) in Alexandria, Virginia and on the Board of the National Safe Haven Alliance, then spoke and hailed the variety of alternatives to abortion: foster care, international and domestic adoption ("God loves adoption"), and safe haven laws that help women choose life and find loving, permanent families for children. He introduced the guests of honor, Tim Jaccard and his wife, Aedan.

Tim Jaccard, 2007 Choose Life Award Recipient

Mr. Timothy Jaccard is a full time Nassau County Police Ambulance Medical Technician. In 1977 he was called to Hempstead to remove the body of a deceased and discarded 6lb. 4oz. infant from a toilet. He was so profoundly moved by the event that he adopted the baby in order to give her a proper burial. Thus began his crusade to insure that "not one single baby is ever thrown in a garbage pail again." Through AMT Children of Hope and his helping to enact the Infant Abandonment Protection Act (also known as the "Safe Haven" Law) now in 47 states, Tim and his wife have held true to that promise. Prior to these laws women faced 4 years imprisonment for abandonment and endangering the welfare of a child if they went to a hospital to give birth. He tells us that 17 children are adopted for every 1,000 abortions. He believes that infant adoption is a "loving, responsible act of a good mother" and not "abandonment". Through public service announcements he has helped enlighten mothers in crisis and the general public of this fact. He believes Safe Haven is needed, but should only be the "last option for the desperate woman". These programs save lives with 87 safe haven relinquishments, 102 adoption plans, 105 parenting choices. His crisis hotline received 2,403 calls for help in 2006. He has had the sad duty of providing dignified funerals and burials for 6 victims of neonaticide in 2006.

In addition to the Jaccard's AMT Children of Hope Foundation, grant recipients were also included Grace Initiatives, Toms River, NJ, Midtown Pregnancy Center, NY, NY; Birthright of Greater New Haven, CT; Hope Pregnancy Center, Cheshire, CT; Pregnancy Care Center- New Rochelle, NY; and Solutions Pregnancy & Health Center, Shrewsbury, NJ. See photos that follow.

If you could not be there in person, you can still support the great work of The Children First Foundation and make a  charitable donation. Plan to be there next time. Thank you, Charles and Elizabeth! (photo below)Yours is a unique organization doing phenomenal work for life.

Comments

[Theresa]

sounds like it was a great night...sorry to have missed it!

[Eileen Peterson]

God Bless This Wonderful Support For Life!!!!! May this event draw so many into the Culture of Life.
Thank you for covering this and thank you for giving God permission. We are truly an Easter people!