JustWorld International supporters and friends gathered on January 22, in Wellington, Florida, to celebrate the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education and to raise funds to expand its global impact at the 23rd Annual JustWorld International Gala.
As a highlight of the evening, co-emcees Steven Wilde and Hailey Hak took the stage to recognize seven original JustWorld Ambassadors. For more than two decades, these professional riders have committed to helping create educational opportunities for children in underserved communities in Honduras, Cambodia, Guatemala, and close to home in Belle Glade, Florida. Those honorees included U.S. Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut; Guatemalan Olympian Juan Andres Rodriguez; U.S. team rider Francie Steinwedell-Carvin; Irish Olympic rider Kevin Babington; Canadian team rider Angela Covert; French World Champion Eric Navet; and French Olympic rider Hervé Godignon.
“I’m proud of everything JustWorld has accomplished and proud to have been part of it since the beginning,” Covert said. “This recognition feels like the icing on the cake.”
Guests enjoyed a vibrant Caribbean-themed evening, a nod to Gala Co-Chair Heidi Lalor, President of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica, who co-chaired the event alongside Maria Newman, whose beautiful Belle Herbe Farm hosted the event.
JustWorld International board members traveled from the U.S. and abroad to attend, including founding board member Jessica Newman; Mike Lawrence and Karen Sparks of Canada; François Besençon of France; and Evan Lefsky and Christine Vergari of the United States.
JustWorld International board members traveled from the U.S. and abroad to attend, including founding board member Jessica Newman; Mike Lawrence and Karen Sparks of Canada; François Besençon of France; and Evan Lefsky and Christine Vergari of the United States.
Special guest Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes, CNN Hero and founder of El Patojismo, JustWorld’s partner school in Guatemala, addressed attendees to share firsthand insight into the organization’s programs. During the Call to Heart for pledges, he illustrated the tangible impact of donor support, noting, for instance, that a $500 gift supplies 12 months of clean drinking water for schoolchildren in Cambodia, while $5,000 funds a teacher’s salary for an entire year in Guatemala.
International ringmaster Pedro Cebulka once again brought energy and expertise to the evening, including during the live auction. Top-selling items included a VIP table at the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in Miami and a French experience curated by Maria Newman, featuring three nights at Deauville’s Normandy Hotel, a guided day trip to Honfleur, two nights at Château La Chenevière, and two nights at the Plaza Athénée in Paris.
The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Sebilion/Robert I. Goldman Foundation, Eye Candy Jumpers, Belle Herbe Farm, Caryl Philips, Artemis Farms, Kimberly Griffiths and Paul Broder, the Rein family, Stridefull, Voltaire Designs, Palm Beach International Academy, Global Billionaire, Tri-Vin Wines and Spirits, Sangsters, Thrivent, William & Harry Golf, Barton & Gray Mariners Club, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
JustWorld also extends its gratitude to Gala Committee members Flavia Callari, Jayne Chase, Shanell Foster, Sophie Ghedin, Laura Greenstreet, Tasha Hipwood, Jenny Oz LeRoy, Luc Limbourg, JoAnn Palazzo, Arlette Rigby, Anne Speiser, Debbie Sweeney, and Gardo Vincken for generously donating their time, talent, and dedication to support the event and the mission.
