1977 Benefits for UNICEF : Run & Gala performance

Filed under Peace walk/run for UN | Sport & Athletics | UN Anniversaries

On 11 December 1977 Sri Chinmoy awarded the UNICEF Cup to world-class marathon runner Dr. Norb Sander, who finished first out of 300 competitors in the Ten Mile Benefit Run for UNICEF held in New Canaan, Connecticut, on UNICEF’s 31st Anniversary.

Dr. Sander, who won the New York City Marathon two years ago, finished the race in 54′ minutes and 30 seconds. The run was sponsored by the Sri Chinmoy Centre in honour of the up-coming International
Year of the Child.

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Dr. Sander, holding the UNICEF Cup, with Sri Chinmoy (left), staff members of UNICEF and children who participated in the run.

On receiving the trophy, Dr. Sander said warmly; In over twenty years of running, I think this has been one of the most inspiring running experiences that I’ve ever had.

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Sri Chinmoy presented the winner with a watch replying: This is a watch, as a very humble, symbolic token of my deepest appreciation for your most extraordinary running achievement, Doctor.

Being a seeker, I wish to tell you that I value most cheerfulness and devotion. I had the good fortune of watching our best runner and I saw him cheerful throughout the run, and I also felt his devotedness towards today’s cause, today’s run. Therefore from the inmost recesses of my heart I wish to offer this. It is a time piece, which symbolically tells that your time has pleased us, perhaps far beyond your own imagination.

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Several U.N. Meditation Group members who performed in the Madal Circus production for UNIS children in the spring participated in a benefit for UNICEF at Lincoln Center the evening of 11 December 1977.

Mrs. Sylvia Fuhrman, Special Representative of the Secretary-General at UNIS, who is in charge of entertainment for the UNICEF Benefit Committee, invited Ashrita the Magician, Abakash the Fire Eater, Ribhu the Clown and Madal Circus jugglers to perform in conjunction with the gala benefit performance of “The Nutcracker” at the New York State Theatre. The proceeds of the evening were donated to the Emergency Relief Fund in India.