CORRECTION: Antonia Ax:son Johnson, Richard Schechter, and Hazel and Michael Schultz Announced as 2020 Brooke USA Crystal Award Honorees, Presented by South Florida PBS

February 11
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Antonia Ax:son Johnson, Richard Schechter, and Hazel and Michael Schultz Announced as 2020 Brooke USA Crystal Award Honorees, Presented by South Florida PBS

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WELLINGTON, Fla. - FEB. 11, 2020 - Brooke USA is proud to announce the honorees of the annual Crystal Awards, presented by South Florida PBS, which is bestowed upon outstanding champions of the organization who have gone above and beyond in support of its mission to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys, mules and the people they serve in the developing world. Brooke USA confers the honor to Antonia Ax:son Johnson, Richard Schechter, and Hazel and Michael Schultz.

South Florida PBS (WPBT2 and WXEL) will honor the recipients of the Brooke USA Crystal Awards in a 30-second public service announcement that will air on South Florida Public Television during prime-time through March 20, the date of Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party at the Wanderers Club in Wellington, FL. Dolores Sukhdeo, the President and CEO of South Florida PBS will present the awards on February 20 at a special gathering hosted by Lugano Diamonds, presenting sponsor of the 2020 Touch of Orange Dinner taking place amidst Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party.

Antonia Ax:son Johnson

Antonia Ax:son Johnson was first introduced to Brooke USA in 2017, and since has supported numerous Brooke projects, including building shade shelters and health posts in Ethiopia. Johnson, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, has reformed Axel Johnson, the family company, and rebuilt it with a focus on values and sustainability. It is Brooke USA's commitment to sustainable change that drew her to the charity and has made her an avid supporter. Her love for horses began at a young age. She has ridden since childhood, put in her time as a "pony mom" and followed her own dream of riding dressage. Johnson also owns and operates Lövsta Stuteri, the leading horse training and competition center, as well as stud farm, in Sweden. It is the world's first environmentally certified facility, and has been since the full-scale venture in 2011. Johnson stated, "This is where we express our love and respect for the horses-these magnificent, magical animals." She has also made a 10-year commitment to the United States through her farm, Lövsta South, located in Wellington. Her love of equines is apparent in her continued support of Brooke USA's mission as a donor and member of the Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party Honorary Committee.

Richard Schechter

Chairman and CEO of The Bainbridge Companies, Richard Schechter, has supported Brooke USA since 2016 when he attended the inaugural Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party. A devoted equestrian, Schechter rides almost every day. His horses also compete at the Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival and other horse shows. Schechter and his Bainbridge Farm and other Bainbridge companies have also been supporters and sponsors of the Winter Equestrian Festival and other equestrian events for over 20 years. His fiancée Jennifer Magee serves on the Honorary Committee of the Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party. His generosity and support of Brooke USA has assisted in raising funds for various projects in Guatemala, the brick kilns in India and the construction of water troughs in Ethiopia.

Hazel and Michael Schultz

Hazel and Michael Schultz are passionate animal lovers and supporters of the equestrian sport. Michael began riding at the age of 40 and took to showjumping, claiming wins across the Eastern Coast. In 2001, he turned to dressage, and in 2017 joined the Century Club. Hazel and Michael first fell in love with Brooke USA's mission when Michael's trainer of more than 30 years, Marcia Kulak, made the connection in 2008. Michael and his wife, former landmarks commissioner for Palm Beach, divide their time between Wellington, Fla. and Brant Lake, NY. Their philanthropy has been paramount in helping Brooke USA in the early days and now funding Brooke USA's work throughout Africa. Most recent, Hazel and Michael have generously supported Brooke USA's efforts to ban the donkey hide trade in Africa with a focus on community education and advocacy.

"The Crystal Awards allow us to pay tribute to those individuals in Wellington who have made an enormous difference in advancing our mission. Our partnership with South Florida PBS grants us the opportunity to thank them publicly. Antonia, Richard, Hazel and Michael have been instrumental to our organizational growth," said Brooke USA Executive Director Emily Dulin.

They join Margaret Hamilton Duprey, Katherine Kaneb, and Claudine and Fritz Kundrun who received the award in 2019. The efforts of all these outstanding individuals help make a difference alleviating the suffering of some of the 100 million equines working in the developing world to support the livelihoods of 600 million people.

To help Brooke USA in its mission donate now or attend Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party. Tickets are available at BrookeUSAEvents.org. Follow Brooke USA on Facebook and Instagram. To support Brooke USA in its effort to fund projects around the world, go to www.BrookeUSA.org.

TICKETS

SPONSORSHIP

FAST FACTS

What: Brooke USA's Sunset Polo® & White Party

· Sunset Polo Match

· Lugano's Touch of Orange Dinner, featuring Gourmet Action Stations & Celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffmann

· VIP Cabanas featuring bottle service and delectable appetizers

· Luxury Silent and Live Auctions

· Poolside White Party

· Live Entertainment

· DJ Adam Lipson

· Miniature Horses (Equine Friends from the Peeps Foundation)

· And much more ...

When: Friday, March 20, 2020, 5:30- 11 p.m. EDT

Where: The Wanderers Club 1900 Aero Drive, Wellington, Florida, 33414

Benefiting: Brooke USA

General Admission:

Includes access to the Brooke USA's Sunset Polo™ & White Party and buffet paella dinner.

Early Access: $85

March 1, 2020: $100

At the Door: $125

Children: $50 - Includes dinner and soft drinks

VIP Cabanas ($3,000), VIP Tables ($5,000) and VIP Bundle ($7,500)

Click here for Tickets

Click here for more information or contact Kendall Bierer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Brooke USA Donor Relations Officer.

About Brooke USA

Brooke USA's mission is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and the Caribbean by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.

We do this through a holistic approach to funding which includes capacity building, sustainability programming, female empowerment and international advocacy. Brooke USA connects private philanthropists with their passion for helping relieve the suffering of working equines and their owners. For more information about Brooke USA please visit www.BrookeUSA.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Lugano Diamonds

Lugano Diamonds is a private international diamond and jewelry company founded in Israel by Moti Ferder with the vision of creating exquisite, one-of-a-kind wearable works of art. In 2005 the company established itself in North America with the opening of its Grand Salon in Newport Beach, Calif. Since its inception, Lugano's worldwide connections to procure the rarest, most unique and largest stones enable the company to consistently produce stunning creations. Controlling all facets of production, Lugano's master craftsmen create each piece of jewelry to the highest standards with meticulous attention to detail. Lugano has locations in Newport Beach, Calif., Aspen, Colo., and Palm Beach, Fla. To book an appointment or for more information, visit www.luganodiamonds.com, Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

About Ingrid Hoffmann

Ingrid Hoffmann is a Celebrity Brooke USA Ambassador, as well as the author of bestselling cookbooks and host of "Top Chef Estrellas" (Telemundo, NBC), "Simply Delicioso" (Cooking Channel) and "Delicioso" (Univision). She is a frequent guest of shows like The Talk, Oprah, Martha Stewart, The View, The Today Show, The Early Show, Un Nuevo Día and Wendy Williams Show. Tickets include an open bar, top-notch entertainment and VIP auctions. With the table choices inside the Stables Restaurant or the on the veranda, the Touch of Orange Dinner is the premier dining option.

2020 Sponsors: