7th Annual Golden Heart Awards

More than 700 guests attended our Seventh Annual Golden Heart Awards on Wednesday, October 16, making it the largest and most successful event in our 28-year history! Famed singer-songwriter, actress, and comedian Bette Midler kicked off the evening with warm and funny remarks.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton received the first-ever Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Community Service. God’s Love board member Michael Kors and Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour presented the award. Upon receiving her award, Secretary Clinton spoke about the uniquely American capacity for solving problems as a community, and the increased importance of giving in this time of economic uncertainty. Secretary Clinton said,

“What [God’s Love] represents, and the connections that it forges– compassion, the kindness and efficiency and results that it stands for – are so much a part of the American character.”

Renowned fashion model Iman presented the Golden Heart Award for Lifetime Achievement to Aerin Lauder, creative director at Estée Lauder Companies and a longtime philanthropist. Ms. Lauder shared her moving story of her volunteer experience at God’s Love, where she worked in the kitchen and then delivered meals to our client, Natalie.

Our President & CEO Karen Pearl presented Jeff Gates and Mike Moran with the Golden Heart Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. Both Jeff and Mike are longstanding leaders in the God’s Love community. Mike is a former kitchen volunteer and Board Member, and is a current  Chairman’s Council and Expansion Campaign Committee Member. Jeff is a longtime volunteer, and the Vice-Chairman of the Expansion Campaign Committee. Both made moving and poignant remarks about their time with God’s Love. Jeff spoke about how proud they both are of the success thus far of the expansion campaign and the great work that God’s Love is accomplishing. Mike shared how, like so many volunteers, he’d become in volved with the organization for deeply personal reasons, and he thanked all those who help make God’s Love successful every day. It was a special moment for Mike and Jeff, and for God’s Love.

Other attendees included Jason and Haley Binn, Derek Blasberg, Scott Bruckner, Helena Christensen, John Demsey, Miroslava Duma, Desiree Gruber and Kyle MacLachlan, Jennifer Hudson, John Idol, Constance Jablonski, Karlie Kloss, Jane Lauder, Julianna Margulies, Alyssa Miller, Olivia Munn, Bruce Nelson, Hilary Rhoda, Alexandra Richards, Terry Richardson, Ariana Rockefeller, Margaret Russell, Michael Sennott, Lawrence Stroll, Hilary Swank, Blaine Trump, Sigourney Weaver, and
Paul Wilmot.

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