Uniting For Children at the 2019 UNICEF USA Annual Summit

VISION’s CEO, Tracey Shappro, was invited by UNICEF USA to take a trip to Washington, D.C. for their 2019 UNICEF USA Annual Summit—a four-day gathering of ideas, community and action on how we can unite for children. The Annual Summit convened over 1,000 supporters in our nation’s capital between March 16th and 19th to deepen supporters’ relationship with UNICEF and each other, build their skills to take action for children, and strengthen UNICEF USA’s reach, brand awareness, and visibility.

The summit was quite moving and really makes you realize how lucky we are to have even the simplest things, like fresh water and sanitation. VISION is humbled to be in the company of more than 600 supporters and corporate partners at the UNICEF USA Annual Summit, whose passion and actions are helping children all over the world live ON.

To help further UNICEF’s cause, VISION will be producing the UNICEF Houston Gala in May, which focuses on bringing the community together to raise awareness of global and domestic issues that need our help as well as raise critical funds for UNICEF’s lifesaving work. The event will honor the late Lester Smith and his wife, Sue Smith, with the Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award for their outstanding philanthropy as well as Susan and Dan Boggio with the Helenka Pantaleoni Humanitarian Award for their recent creation of the Susan and Dan Boggio Fund for UNICEF education and child protection programs.

Here are some of the moments captured at the summit:

“Our collective voices can be heard for justice, for peace, for hope, for children all over the world.” — Caryl Stern, President and CEO of UNICEF USA
“UNICEF works with corporate partners in 190 countries. Their efforts impact more than 45 million children.” — Brett D. Robinson, CFO of UNICEF USA
A measured outcome of UNICEF’s work is life and quality of life in the most unimaginable environments. UNICEF spends more than $5.6 billion a year to make a global impact for children.
Advocacy is critical in this country to give children a voice. UNICEF rallies individuals, communities, and companies to unite for children.
50 million children currently around the world are displaced and fleeing towards safety while not exactly knowing where to go.
One well of water can save the lives of a community for generations and costs less than $5000 each.
By innovating in construction approaches, UNICEF can support governments to build a quality school structure out of 5 tons of plastic waste.
While at the summit, Tracey attended a break out session about the effects of Hurricane Harvey and Maria on children in Houston and Puerto Rico and how UNICEF and partners helped build resilience in the face of these U.S. emergencies.
A beautiful view of the Washington Monument after the UNICEF Annual Summit makes the perfect end to an inspiring day.

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