New York, NY, November 3, 2016 — The International Rescue Committee raised $10 million last night at its annual Rescue Dinner (formally Freedom Award Dinner) to support the organization’s lifesaving humanitarian aid work around the world. The event honored Spyros Galinos, Mayor of Lesbos, Greece and The Mack Family.
The Co-Chairs for this year’s Freedom Award Dinner were Katherine Farley, Merryl H. Tisch, Maureen White and Tracy R. Wolstencroft.
The Freedom Award is presented annually to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in support of refugees, and who have championed the cause of liberty, individual freedom and dignity. This year’s Freedom Award was presented to Mayor Spyros Galinos. During the past two years, more than 660,000 refugees have passed through the Greek island of Lesbos, the epicenter of the largest migration of people since World War II. The island’s population is only 86,000, but these generous people have invited 25,000 Syrians, Afghanis and others to settle among them. Mayor Galinos is being recognized for his efforts to assist hundreds of thousands of refugees as they face a harrowing journey, and for working to bring awareness to the tragic human costs of the current refugee crisis.
Additionally, Christy and John Mack, along with their children Jenna, John and Stephen K. Mack, received the John C. Whitehead Humanitarian Award. This award was created in recognition of Mr. Whitehead’s half-century of transformational leadership of the IRC and is presented annually to individuals who embody Mr. Whitehead’s spirit and passion for humanitarian causes and who have made significant contributions to saving and improving lives around the world. The Mack family was recognized for their incredible support and engagement in Greece, with the IRC’s mobile health programs in Jordan, and their support of women and girls across the Middle East.
IRC President and CEO David Miliband was joined on stage by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, a member of the IRC Board of Directors. The evening also featured a special performance by Syrian violinist Mariela Shaker. Additional guests included IRC supporters Lauren Adams, Deborah Ayorinde, Demi Grace Ayorinde and Zuri Marley.