NCLD's 34th Annual Benefit Dinner

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Events

NCLD's 34th Annual Benefit Dinner

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By NCLD Development Staff
Published: April 11 2011

On April 6, 2011, 2011benefit

the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) raised $2.1 million at their 34th Annual Benefit Dinner at Three Sixty in Tribeca. Executive Director James Wendorf announced this year’s Call to Action: to help ensure that the 1 million school children with LD, currently being failed by many of our school systems, will graduate with a standard high school diploma. The uniting theme of the evening was “Celebrating the Power of Parents."

“All of us in this room who are parents of children with LD, we have a different level of connection to our children and to each other,” said Editor-in-Chief of Daily Beast/Newsweek Tina Brown, speaking on behalf of her son. “We all know everything that we’ve been through – our journey, travails and struggles… the great moments of hope and enlightenment and then suddenly the few steps back and how hard it is.”

Brown presented this year’s Parent Advocate Award to President of The New York Public Library Paul LeClerc, noting his incredible optimism, tireless work on behalf of his son, and “great pancake-making skills.” LeClerc said, “American Society is more open now than ever before and parents are more comfortable talking about LD. I’m so grateful that there are now state and city laws protecting our children and we as parents are ready to litigate.”

Philanthropist Grace Hightower De Niro presented a Parent Advocate Award to Juanita James and Dudley Williams. “As a parent of a wonderful special needs boy, I understand the long search parents go through to provide for the well-being of their children,” said Hightower De Niro. James agreed adding, “They must work so much harder to earn what we take for granted.” Board Member Mark Griffin presented a Parent Advocate Award to Mary Q. Pedersen, who spoke of her own struggle with LD and those of her daughter.

“While we are stronger than ever, our challenges are greater than ever,” said James Wendorf. “Special Ed budgets are being slashed, new teachers are arriving in our classrooms unprepared to teach our kids, and 2.5 million students with learning disabilities are trying harder than ever to keep up with their peers. One million of them will not graduate from high school unless we do something about it.”

Paula Zahn gave a passionate appearance as Benefit Emcee. Al Roker and Anne Ford presented the Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarships -- two $10,000 college scholarships -- to graduating seniors with LD, Jared Schmidt and Eleigha Love.

NCLD is the largest organization in the US fighting for parents and children with learning disabilities. For over three decades NCLD has worked from Capitol Hill to the classroom to support the 15 million Americans with LD.

Watch our video: Celebrating the Power of Parents.

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