At the Kennedy Center’s gala in honor of the 50^th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s presidency, Denyce Graves sang a powerful tribute to Grace Bumbry and the White House concert in 1962, in which Bumbry was introduced to America. Bumbry, a 2009 Kennedy Center Honoree, pushed past racial, social and artistic boundaries through her voice.

The event is part of the Rubenstein Program, and is supported by David and Alice Rubenstein, Connie Milstein and others.

This is a picture from the New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Black-Tie Gala in 2008. Philanthropist Connie Milstein and Abby Elbaum smile for the camera at this fundraising event for emergency medicine departments

The Humpty Dumpty Institute, with co-founder Connie Milstein, is an organization with many programs. One of them is The Global Creative Forum, who recently brought representatives from three U.N. projects to Hollywood, California with hopes of exposing famous film and television writers and producers to the problems and efforts of the U.N. Writers from famous shows such as Law and Order, Burn Notice and Private Practice were present at the event.

The event began with an introduction by Bill Rouhana, chairman of HDI and GCF, who was followed by U.N. Assistant Secretary General Robert Orr and Juan Carlos Brandt of the U.N. Department for Public Information. The first speaker was Elizabeth Jennings, who works for the World Food Program in Haiti. She described the flexibility of the Haitians when they are faced with the disasters of earthquakes, hunger and cholera. Jennings was followed by Olivier Mukarji from the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping in Darfur, Sudan. He explained how the U.N. works to save refugees from Darfur as well as to negotiate an end to the conflict between the political parties in Sudan. Gary Lewis of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime in Thailand spoke of the efforts being put into stopping the human and drug trafficking in the region.

In February, the US Department of Agriculture provided the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) with $4.1 million by giving them the Dole-McGovern Food for Education Grant. The Dole-McGovern program supports education, child development and food security in low-income countries. It provides financial and technical assistance, as well as agricultural products in order to aid child nutrition.

HDI is an organization which works to find solutions to humanitarian problems around the world. Its current goals are to eliminate mines and other UXOs (unexploded ordinances) around the world, as well as to ease domestic and international hunger issues. Connie Milstein is a co-founder of HDI.

The grant provided $3.2 million in cash, as well as $900,000 which covered the transportation cost of 910 tons of beans, canned salmon, corn-soy blend, milled rice and vegetable oil with hopes to feed approximately 19,000 children daily.

Many organizations, such as CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), with board member Connie Milstein, are working fervently to find ways to improve the condition and livelihood of people afflicted with epilepsy. One example of a creative approach is the use of seizure-assist dogs.

Dogs are used to assist humans in many different ways. Some are used just as companions, while others are used as guides, guards, shepherds and mush dogs. Lately, scientists have been studying an unusual ability that has become apparent in many dogs- the ability to detect an epileptic seizure before it happens.

This talent is a relatively new discovery, and the results of the studies are not yet consistent. Many dogs are being trained to be seizure-assist/ response dogs, as opposed to seizure-alert. This means that the dog is taught to either stick by their master for the duration of the seizure, or to quickly fetch medications, a telephone or a designated caretaker.

Some dogs are capable of detecting an oncoming seizure. However, it is difficult for dog owners to recognize the dog’s attempts to alert them of an approaching seizure. The dog’s normal behavior will change, although these changes may be very subtle. In order for this method to be helpful, the owner must have a very strong relationship with the dog, and be aware of even the smallest changes in its demeanor.

CURE is constantly working to raise awareness about epilepsy and to raise money for more research and cures.  They have a number of upcoming events, intended to raise awareness and funds, and are always working tirelessly with their board members, including Connie Milstein, to develop more ideas and events.

A few of the upcoming events for this summer and beyond include: the Gordon Research Conference from August 8-13, 2010 at Colby College; the Golf Tournament Benefiting CURE on August 23, 2010 at the Wentworth Hills Golf Club in Plainville, MA; the 6^th Annual Drive for CURE on August 26, 2010 at the ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park, IL; and the 3^rd Annual CURE New York City Benefit with special guest New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on October 14, 2010 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

View the many videos about the Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center, which Connie Milstein helped to create.  OrLive.com is an incredible resource, offering videos about the cutting-edge technology at the Heart Center, the doctors who work there and the care that patients receive.