Mr. Yuxiang Long, Executive Chair of the China International Culture Communication Center of Beijing, presents a grant to Jim Luce (right), Roosevelt Island resident and founder of Orphans International (OI), at last month’s Culture for Peace New Year Celebration at the United Nations, emceed by WCBS anchor Cindy Hsu and co-sponsored by Friends of the United Nations and Mayors for Peace. Frank Liu of World Harmony Foundation looks on.

Mr. Long has since joined the OI Worldwide Advisory Board, chaired by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez may be the next member to join OI’s Global Advisory Board.

Luce reports that, with the help of another Roosevelt Island resident, OI Goodwill Ambassador Ethel Grodzins Romm, Orphans International America last year raised approximately $330,000, "and this year our budget is for $540,000 – most of it pledged in advance." Luce also said that, this year, OI has a Founders’ Circle, a President’s Circle, and a Board of Directors – each responsible for contributing. Romm, who lives in Rivercross, is paid $1 per year for her services. Southtown resident Donald W. Hoskins, M.D., chairs the OI America Board of Directors, Westview resident Rosa Suárez serves as secretary, and a Manhattan Park resident, Lynn Chambers, CPA, is Treasurer. Chris Godleski of Southtown heads the organization’s International Council, while others such as Bonnie Goodman, Doris Chernik, Marlene Flom, and Dr. Carol Hoskins, R.N., head various committees.

OI currently has an opportunity to fully endow its first project in Sri Lanka in such a way that the interest alone, on the invested principal, will fund the project in perpetuity.

Luce says this model "will take OI to a new level." He is now working on raising $90,000 for this purpose, working from his offices in Eastwood. There will be a spring brunch in the penthouse community room of Southtown to discuss this.

"We now have such an incredible group of global volunteers, based here on Roosevelt Island," Luce told The WIRE. "We are doing so well, thanks to our neighbors. I urge all Roosevelt Islanders to be part of the solution. I am certain OI Sri Lanka will become our first fully-endowed project, and be a model for all others – and that we will be helping our kids – raising global citizens – for decades to come... for generations to come."

Islanders interested in helping with OI’s multinational projects are invited to call Luce at 212-755-7285, or contact him via e-mail at Jim@oiww.org.