North Shore Animal League America’s 11th Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon

Today Show’s Natalie Morales & HGTV Personality Tanya Marchiol Co-Host North Shore Animal League America’s 11^th Annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon.

Honorees include: Sandra Atlas Bass to receive the Philanthropist of the Year Award and Courageous Canines Lilly & Seven to receive the Scarlett Awards for Animal Heroism.

North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, will honor several individuals, organizations, and two hero pets at its 11th annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon.

The event, which is being held at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, New York on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., will be co-hosted by Today Show’s Natalie Morales and HGTV Personality Tanya Marchiol. Both Natalie and Tanya are huge supporters of North Shore Animal League America 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 Stern, North Shore Animal League America spokesperson, will present an award to one of the honorees.  

The Lewyt Humane Awards are being presented to those whose actions reflect the Animal League’s mission to rescue, nurture and adopt orphaned animals into loving homes. The honorees are:

Sandra Atlas Bass 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 its cause as a National Peer Trainer for the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.

Norma Meek, a former 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 heroic 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, VA 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.

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 North Shore Animal League America’s mission to rescue, nurture and adopt an average of 20,000 homeless animals annually. A special thanks to our Guardian Sponsors North Shore LIJ Healthcare Systems and The Karmazin Family and our Compassion Sponsor American List Council.

To purchase tickets or for more information on the Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon, contact Denisez@animalleague.org, 516.883.7900 ext 821, or visit www.AnimalLeague.org.