Wings of Hope, a St. Louis-based nonprofit that flies humanitarian aid to people in need all over the world, was recently honored by the Wings Club, a leading global society of aviation professionals. The award was accepted by Mary Jean Russell, Ph.D., the organization’s senior humanitarian envoy. Wings of Hope programs assist more than 1 million people in 47 countries annually, helping the poor reach a level of sustainability.
Conservationist Dan Burkhardt, editor of the book Missouri River Country and co-founder of Magnificent Missouri, now has a second book to add to his CV. Florida Bay Forever, is a compilation of essays and photographs that celebrate efforts to restore and maintain the Everglades and Florida Bay.
Domestic violence survivors often flee their homes wearing only the clothes on their backs. Personal apparel, including bras, are usually in short supply at shelters. Now through Jan. 25, Ladue lingerie boutique Clair de Lune is inviting women to donate their gently used bras through The Great Bra Exchange. The undergarments will go to Women’s Safe House, which serves more than 500 women and children trying to escape violence in the home. Customers who donate a bra will receive $15 toward the purchase of a new bra; those who donate three bras will receive $15 off each new bra.
Jeffrey Uslip, former curator-at-large at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, has been named chief curator at Contemporary Art Museum. He starts in February. At CAM, Uslip will present an expansive range of exhibitions highlighting acclaimed and emerging artists.
Young patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center now have a workbook/storybook to help them understand how a hospital works. Bubbles of Hope, Seeds of Faith, written by local author Michelle Bain with help from Cardinal Glennon’s team of Child Life specialists, presents a colorfully illustrated tour of the hospital and explains the roles of various hospital staff. The book is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
It was an extra-special holiday season for Judy and Dennis Jones of Ladue. The Jonses, former high-school sweethearts, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve, surrounded by family. “Dennis and I kind of grew up together—maybe that’s the secret to a happy marriage!” Judy says. Dennis Jones built Jones Pharma into a multi-billion-dollar business; he and Judy now lead the Dennis M. Jones Family Foundation, which provides scholarships for students in need.
Pictured: Mary Jean Russell, Ph. D.
