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Lewyt Luncheon

The Animal League honors several individuals, organizations, and a hero pet at its annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon whose actions reflect our mission to rescue, nurture and adopt orphaned animals into loving homes.

Proceeds of the Luncheon, named in honor of Animal League founders the late Alex Lewyt and his wife Elisabeth Lewyt, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, benefit the Animal League’s mission to rescue, nurture and adopt an average of 20,000 homeless animals annually.

This year's event, which is being held at the Garden City Hotel in New York on June 13th will be co-hosted by Today Show’s Natalie Morales and HGTV Personality Tanya Marchiol. Both Natalie and Tanya are huge supporters of the Animal League and big animal lovers themselves. Tanya has three rescued Cane Corso Italian Mastiffs, and Natalie adopted her dog Zara from the Animal League last year. Also in attendance, Beth Ostrosky Stern, North Shore Animal League spokesperson, will present an award to one of our honorees.

THE 2012 HONOREES ARE:

Philanthropist of the Year
Awarded to Sandra Atlas Bass in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of the Animal League, her unwavering devotion to animal rescue, and her philanthropic efforts for so many organizations. Sandra’s philanthropic spirit has been an enormous blessing for the homeless, abused and neglected animals in our midst, as well as for those of us who work to rescue these innocent creatures who depend on us for their survival. This is the first year the award will be given, and it will be recognized for many years to come.

The Mutt-i-grees® Advocacy Award
Awarded to Deborah Swink and Norma Meek, both leaders and pioneers in launching the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum in their states. The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum is an innovative program that builds on children’s affinity for animals and highlights the unique characteristics and desirability of Mutt-i-grees, or shelter dogs. The Curriculum teaches social and emotional skills and is unique in its bridging of humane education and the emerging field of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).

Deborah Swink has assumed a leadership role in Arkansas in pilot testing the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum and making countless presentations at educational and other conferences, spreading the word about the Curriculum and its unique approach to social and emotional learning and humane education. She has been instrumental in coordinating the implementation of the Curriculum in school districts throughout the country and has championed our cause as a National Peer Trainer for the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.

Norma Meek, a former National Teacher of the Year, presents the Curriculum to educators throughout the country as a National Peer Trainer for the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.  She is a leader of the pilot testing and implementation of Mutt-i-grees in her home state of Kentucky. She has displayed a sincere dedication to the work of the Animal League and its Mutt-i-grees Movement, which encourages people to become aware of and adopt the wonderful animals that come from shelters.

Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism
Awarded to two wonderful dogs, Lilly and Seven, for their remarkable acts of bravery. Lilly and Seven, both of whom were adopted from the Animal League, demonstrated the persistence and resilience of an animal when their consistent barking alerted their families that something was wrong. Lilly and Seven would not give up until their families responded to their warnings, waking and discovering fires in their homes. Both families were safely evacuated due to the heroism of Lilly and Seven.

Spirit of Compassion Award
Awarded to the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County, for its incredible effort and dedication to saving the lives of animals.  Its partnership with the Animal League has grown over the years with an increasing number of transports from its Virginia facility to ours. The SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County demonstrates the same passion and commitment to rescue nurture and adopt that we at the Animal League hold so dearly.  The tireless efforts of Executive Director Leslie Hervey have meant the difference between life and death for thousands of innocent companion animals.

Heart of Hope Award
Awarded to Team Captain of Team Animal League for the ING New York City Marathon, Scott F. Guber. Scott has served as Team Captain since Team Animal League’s inception in 2008 and has personally raised more than $20,000 in his four times participating in the Marathon.  Scott’s “never give up spirit” and deeply embedded compassion exemplify hope for all animals in need.

For information on sponsorship and journal opportunities, contact Denise Zayas at 516-883-7900, x821 or via e-mail at denisez@AnimalLeague.org. View a video of last year's Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon here.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Guardian Sponsor: The Karmazin Family