America’s Charities Board Director Patrick R. Gaston to Be Honored at KidSpirit’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Patrick R. Gaston, President and CEO of Gaston Consulting, former President of the Verizon Foundation and the Western Union Foundation, and Secretary of America’s Charities’ board of directors, will be honored by KidSpirit at its tenth anniversary celebration on November 9th. KidSpirit, the only youth-led platform for building community through life’s big questions, is excited to mark this milestone with a benefit dinner recognizing Mr. Gaston’s achievements along with those of fellow honoree Laura R. Walker, President and CEO of New York Public Radio.

Prior to launching Gaston Consulting, Mr. Gaston was President of the Western Union Foundation and of the Verizon Foundation, and Senior Advisor to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. He serves on the boards of the NAACP, Intersections International, America’s Charities, the Posner Center for International Development, and the Mile High United Way, and is a member of the board of directors of Bed Bath and Beyond, Inc.

KidSpirit’s mission is close to Patrick’s heart. “KidSpirit is changing the world for the better,” he says, “through the innovative, honest, and powerful contributions of children around the globe. The kind of platform that they provide will help to improve our communities and quality of life everywhere. I am humbled and honored to support their efforts.”

KidSpirit is a nonprofit international magazine and online community by and for youth to engage each other about meaningful topics in an inclusive spirit. Its mission is to promote mutual understanding among teenagers of many backgrounds and support their development into world citizens with strong inner grounding.  Elizabeth Dabney Hochman, Founder and Editor, says, “As we turn 10, we are proud to celebrate the vision of KidSpirit youth to share, to reflect, to listen, and to create a world that is more inclusive, just, and whole.” Over the past decade, hundreds of kids from 19 countries have collaborated to share their voices on almost 40 themes, creating a vibrant publication that has been recognized with 16 awards. KidSpirit is read in 180 countries and has an estimated annual readership of over 150,000.

The event on November 9th will bring together friends of the organization, young participants, and alumni to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

The event will also honor Laura R. Walker.  In her role as President and CEO of  New York Public Radio, Ms. Walker leads the largest public radio station group in the nation and a major producer of audio content for radio and on-demand audiences. A recognized writer and speaker, she has been honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award and a Peabody Award for Broadcast Excellence, as well as named one of New York City’s Most Powerful Women by Crain’s New York Business.

Youth editors from KidSpirit’s global network, along with Mr. Gaston and Ms. Walker, will make remarks at the dinner. The event will be held at Capitale, a beautiful venue in lower Manhattan, and will also feature live performances by young musicians, an auction, and the release of a new print anthology, 10 Years of KidSpirit.

For more information about the 10th anniversary celebration, or to request interviews, please contact Jessie Post, Managing Editor, at jessie@kidspiritonline.com.