GENYOUth® to Host Second Annual Gala in New York -- Aboard The Intrepid

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- GENYOUth, a philanthropic organization focused on elevating youth leadership to advance wellness in schools and communities, announced today that it will host its second annual Gala at New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on the evening of Wednesday, December 6. The Gala theme, "A Celebration of the Creative, Curious, and Bold!," honors the nonprofit's mission of empowering youth as stewards of their own healthy, high-achieving futures.

In announcing the Gala, Alexis Glick, GENYOUth's CEO, shared, "Our inaugural gala in 2016, was a huge moment for us. This year, we want to build on the momentum we've achieved as an organization, and take the time to pause, appreciate, and celebrate with those organizations and individuals who've made our work possible. We're absolutely thrilled to have our inaugural Gala honoree, SAP CEO Bill McDermott introduce our keynote speaker President Clinton." In choosing Secretary Vilsack as this year's honoree, Glick noted, "Our Board of Directors unanimously agreed that Secretary Vilsack's impact on child health and wellness has had an unprecedented influence on our nation's youth giving them access to the nutrition resources they need to thrive and learn and will no doubt lead to many more critical public private partnerships in support of healthy, high-achieving youth."

President Clinton will address an audience of business and corporate leaders, educators, health and wellness professionals, students, and others, and will present GENYOUth's Vanguard Award to the 30^th United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. The Vanguard Award is presented to an individual who best exemplifies courage, compassion and leadership in service of youth.

As Secretary of Agriculture for two terms under President Barack Obama, Vilsack's commitment to child nutrition took many forms, from passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, to the USDA's partnership with First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative, to expanding both school breakfast and summer-feeding programs in underserved communities.

Commented Secretary Vilsack, "As someone born in an orphanage, and who didn't necessarily have the greatest start in life, my concern for the well-being of children has always been a personal and professional focus. In view of all the honors I have been fortunate to receive, I am particularly proud to receive the Vanguard Award from GENYOUth, knowing how dedicated their Fuel Up to Play 60 and AdVenture Capital programming has been to improving the lives of our children all across America."

The Secretary's comments echo the remarks of last year's Vanguard Award recipient, SAP CEO Bill McDermott, who said, "What I love about GENYOUth, and the exceptional programming they offer our nation's youth through Fuel Up to Play 60 and AdVenture Capital, is they never lose sight of helping those kids who don't necessarily have all of the advantages in life. I was one of those kids. And I like to think I'm an example of the kind of achievement that's possible when youth are supported, championed, encouraged, and empowered."

As an organization, GENYOUth's work involves bringing together private and public partners, convening dialogues, generating insights, building awareness, and channeling resources, all in the service of empowering youth around change in their school communities ? with a special focus on improved nutrition and greater opportunities for physical activity.

The nonprofit's signature program is Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation's largest in-school wellness program, developed in partnership with the National Football League and the National Dairy Council, and also available in Spanish-language version, Fuel Up to Play 60 en Español. GENYOUth's student social-entrepreneurship program, AdVenture Capital, provides mentorship and grants to support innovative, youth led solutions to advance wellness in schools. 

Highlights of the upcoming Gala evening will include remarks by McDermott, National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Rashad Jennings, Dancing with the Stars Champion and NFL Wide Receiver, most recently playing for the New York Giants. Fuel Up to Play 60 and AdVenture Capital students will also play a key role in the evening.  

McDermott, Commissioner Goodell and Jennings will be joined by the Gala's Honorary Host Committee, which includes luminaries from the business, professional sports, media, education, and government worlds, including Thomas P. Gallagher, CEO, Dairy Management, Inc.; Jennifer Morgan, President, SAP North America; Louis M. Nanni, VP, University Relations, Notre Dame; Chris Policinski, CEO, Land O' Lakes; Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Minnesota Vikings; Carla Hall of ABC-TV's "The Chew;" Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman, and Patrick Doyle, CEO, Domino's Pizza.

GENYOUth is offering corporate and business supporters a menu of underwriting sponsorships, table purchases, tickets, full-page advertisements in the Gala Program, and more. The event's confirmed and expanding list of corporate and organizational sponsors includes the National Football League, National Football League Players Association, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Land O'Lakes, Microsoft, National Retail Federation and UnitedHealthcare. For more information on GENYOUth's Gala visit http://gala.genyouthnow.org/.

Summed up GENYOUth's Glick, "Since our founding in 2010, GENYOUth has pioneered and evolved a diverse number of nationwide initiatives that empower youth to develop and exercise their influence in creating healthy, high-achieving schools and communities.  Our 2017 Gala will bring together valued partners to both acknowledge and to renew their commitment to our mission ? the mission of building on the legacy of passionate American youth as leaders who champion healthy eating and active lifestyles."

About GENYOUth
GENYOUth, a leading nonprofit, convenes leaders in health & wellness, education, government and business in a movement to empower America's youth. GENYOUth is committed to achieving a healthier future for children of all ages by advancing a youth ownership of change. GENYOUth, through multiple strategic partnerships and support from a diverse spectrum of various key constituencies, has established itself as the leading thought leader in youth health & wellness.  Founded in 2010 through a public-private partnership with National Dairy Council and the National Football League, GENYOUth secures funds that are essential to increasing the visibility and commitment to school wellness among educators, students, parents, community leaders and businesses. Through continuous collaboration between GENYOUth and its partners, research is conducted, perspective reports are published, and engaging programming is presented to make a lasting difference in the pursuit of healthy, high-achieving youth for future generations. Learn more about GENYOUth partnership, volunteer and donation opportunities by visiting www.genyouthfoundation.org.

SOURCE GENYOUth