Helen Keller Intl to Honor Warby Parker and Henry C. Barkhorn at 2021 Spirit of Helen Keller Virtual Gala

New York, NY, April 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 4, 2021, global health organization Helen Keller Intl will host its Spirit of Helen Keller Virtual Gala, its most important event generating crucial revenue, to help vulnerable children and families around the world.  

Warby Parker co-founders Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa will be honored with the Helen Keller Visionary Award for their work to bring sight to vulnerable children and families, and Trustee and past Board Chair Henry C. Barkhorn will be honored with the Helen Keller Humanitarian Award, recognizing his outstanding dedication and contributions. The virtual event is open to all and free to attend. 

"The extraordinary circumstances of the past year have reminded us how we are all connected across the globe, and that together, we can face these global challenges and help solve them," said Kathy Spahn, President & CEO of Helen Keller Intl. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action, and we are inspired by our co-founder Helen Keller as we take action to help the world's most vulnerable children and families." 

Helen Keller Intl mobilizes a global community to help eliminate preventable vision loss, malnutrition, and diseases of poverty. The organization delivers life changing health solutions to vulnerable families in places where the need is great but access to care is limited. 

WHAT:  

2021 Spirit of Helen Keller Virtual Gala  

WHO: 

Evening Presenters: 

Kathy Spahn, Helen Keller Intl President and CEO 

Carla Hall, Helen Keller Intl Trustee, Chef and Cookbook Author  

Honorees: 

Warby Parker co-founders and co-CEOs, Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, Helen Keller Visionary Award 

The Helen Keller Visionary Award was established in 2005 to recognize institutional friends whose generosity and innovations advance the organization's mission.   

Henry C. Barkhorn, Helen Keller Humanitarian Award 

The Helen Keller Humanitarian Award was established in 2007 to recognize the significant support of individuals or institutions for sustained humanitarian efforts around the world. 

Interview Opportunities:

Select honorees and presenters pending RSVP and prior approval. 

WHEN:  

Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 7:00-7:40ish p.m. EDT  

WHERE:  

Online at hki.org, Facebook, and YouTube. Link will be provided upon registration. 

GALA CO-CHAIRS: 

Karin Barkhorn  

Mary Burton  

Leo Corbett 

Anthony Dorment  

Desmond G. FitzGerald  

Jane Gerhard  

David M. Glassman  

Jan and Steven Golann  

Henry and Barbara Gooss  

Carla Hall  

Genevieve Jorissen  

Jim and Nydia Gaffey  

Matthew W. Mamak, Esq.   

Philomena Orji  

Helen Pennoyer 

Chantal Piani  

Tonya Suer  

Elspeth Taylor  

William J. Toppeta  

Patricia Yao  

MORE DETAILS: 

Full event details at https://www.hki.org/2021-spirit-of-helen-keller-virtual-gala/  

SOCIAL MEDIA: @HelenKellerIntl  

About Helen Keller Intl 

Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition, and diseases of poverty. Co-founded by Helen Keller — and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential — the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families in places where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the U.S., Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller's proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change. Learn more at hki.org.

Susan Kotcher
Helen Keller International
media@hki.org