Longtime Bedford Resident Richard Gere to Receive Award From Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

Press release:

Actor, Activist and Philanthropist Richard Gere, known for his starring role in many successful motion pictures, and a tireless advocate for humanitarian causes, will receive the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center’s Eugene M. & Emily Grant Spirit of Humanity Award at a benefit to be held on Thursday, September 18th at 6:30 PM. John M. Tolomer, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Westchester Bank will be honored with the Bernard J. Rosenshein Courage To Care Award. The benefit will take place at the Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club.

“We honor Richard Gere for his work the past three decades as an advocate for human rights,” says Valerie Moore O’Keeffe, chairperson of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center. “He is an effective fighter against injustice, inequality and intolerance. His humanitarian efforts through the Gere Foundation and the International Foundation for Tibet to prevent cultural genocide and preserve human rights in Tibet have drawn global recognition. He has also been responsible for launching the Heroes Project in partnership with the Avahan AIDS Initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India.

Chappaqua resident John Tolomer is a tireless advocate for community involvement in Westchester. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York Bankers Association and serves on the Board of Director for the Hudson River Museum. Mr. Tolomer is a former co-Chair of the March of Dimes March for Babies Westchester Walk and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Westchester County Association, The Leukemia Society, and the United Way.

“We honor John Tolomer for his generosity of spirit. His charitable and volunteer efforts have improved community life. He is an example to our youth, who need to step up to make the world a better place,” says Millie Jasper, HHREC Executive Director. The Center’s mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. The Center helps schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum.

For more information, or to order tickets for the benefit, contact Millie Jasper, Executive Director of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center,mjasper@hhrecny.org or 914.696.0738.

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