LIBERTY, HONOR & CHILDREN April 29
April 29th–Hamptons In The Springtime Benefit: The Retreat’s in-school education program “Empowering Children to Make Healthy Choices.”
May 8th Benefit: The Future Belongs To You Foundation Tribeca Film Festival Evening Event
Someone asked me the other day “Chris, why are you so involved and supportive of charities pertaining to the advancement and protection of Children’s Issues?” From the Fresh Air Fund, The Future Belongs To You Foundation and now The Retreat which provides support for Family Violence Victims.
Freedom begins in childhood. Freedom will be sustained with a a commitment to the mental & emotional health, security and well being of our nations children. The essence of who you are and what you become is shaped profoundly during childhood. It doesn’t just take a village; it takes a mommy, a daddy and a family structure for sure, but sometimes families break down and all too often children are the first casualty. So yes, freedom, liberty and honor do really begin with how we treat our children and how we choose to invest in their future.
Why the Children you ask? “Chris, you do not even have a wife or a serious girlfriend you are planning on marrying yet you are devoted to Children’s causes? Do you have a Daddy complex?” Well, maybe since I am nobody’s daddy, I want to be everyone’s daddy? It is actually more simple than that. I hope to always have the hope and perspective that one can so readily see in a childs eyes before they encounter disappointment. While I try not to take myself too seriously and have been known to have some Fun with Wine or othewise enjoy a good cocktail from time to time at a Cosmo Party, Jesters Guild Event, Networking Girl Soiree my greatest passion is supporting those who genuinely committed to making life better in some capacity for others on this Planet.
Politics is personal, especially when it is about advancing the liberties and freedoms that I treasure as an American and that far too often many take for granted. Our lives and lifestyles are protected not just by soldiers, but by organizations that protect our civil liberties like ADL & AIPAC, as much as those that protect the children and family. In the same vein are journalists who educate the populace through their prose. I will never suggest that it compares with those in our military who have made the “ultimate sacrifice” in war but even some journalists have done that. It is never lost on me that some have died, been imprisoned or ostracized for defending our way of life.
Fortunately for me some of the best experiences and memories I have had in life were from my childhood, the learning, exploration, little league, and some of the very simple tools that were afforded to me, from books, pens and pencils to milk. How many of you remember the giddiness accompanying the milk break when the milk monitor delivered the milk to your class? I wish that all children could have that same opportunity. Unfortunately far too often, many other children face hurdles to their emotional health, stability and security and to their very survival. Our freedom begins with theirs. So yes, my politics are personal. —CL
Recommended Reading from our friends at Harper Collins: The Committed Marriage, by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, author of The Committed Life and Founder & President of Hineni.