CHILDREN'S RIGHTS FIFTH ANNUAL BENEFIT

Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels

Jon S. Corzine

Children’s Rights held its Fifth Annual Benefit at the Plaza Hotel to honor philanthropist and hip-hop icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. The benefit was held to raise awareness and support for its ongoing battles to defend the lives and legal rights of abused and neglected children in foster care across the United States. The organization selects an annual honoree who demonstrates, through public advocacy and action, a passionate commitment to the most vulnerable among our nation’s children. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, a groundbreaking musician and founding member of the rap trio Run-DMC (named Greatest Hip-Hop Group of All Time by MTV), began advocating for adoptees and foster youth after learning late in life of his own adoption. McDaniels received the coveted Children’s Rights Champion Award for his tireless work on behalf of foster children through his Felix Organization/Adoptees for Children, a nonprofit organization that operates Camp Felix in upstate New York and provides leadership training for teenage youth, as well as other year-round opportunities for children in foster care. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, McDaniels was also awarded an Emmy in 2006 for his VH1 documentary, DMC: My Adoption Journey. Former New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine presented the 2010 benefit’s keynote address. Governor Corzine has long been recognized as a leader in child welfare reform for his work with Children’s Rights to transform foster care in that state. “No organization is bringing more vigilance and discipline and thoughtfulness to the effort to protect our kids than Children’s Rights,” said Gov. Corzine. “Sometimes we need a blunt instrument to make us aware that we must live up to our responsibilities. Children’s Rights has done that.” To raise support for CHILDREN’S RIGHTS during the evening, a live auction was conducted by Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President and Senior Auctioneer, Sotheby’s. Additionally, an online auction is being conducted by CharityBuzz.com live from October 13 to November 4, 2010. To learn more, please visit www.childrensrights.org.

Photos By: Ann Watt/Society-Photos