Shinnyo-en Foundation Sponsors World’s Largest Gathering of Volunteer and Service Leaders in New York City!

Her Holiness Shinso Ito presents Mayor Bloomberg with Prince Shotoku Statue

Not a single cloud in the blue skies of the Big Apple!

Her Holiness

The weather forecast for rain and thunder for June 28th, was knocked out with a burst of sunshine on opening day of the world’s largest gathering of service and volunteer leaders: The National Conference on Volunteering and Service 2010!

Bishop Ito with First Lady Paterson of New York, Susan Stern, Karen Baker, and guests at the Hearts of Service Luncheon

Shinnyo-en Foundation’s Heart of Service Awards Luncheon launched the Conference at the very elegant and stylish Manhattan landmark, the Plaza Hotel.

Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en and Bishop Ito welcomed First Lady Paterson, First Deputy Mayor Harris, and some 300 distinguished guests, to honor and celebrate the commendable work carried out by the awardees.

Bishop Ito with First Lady Paterson and Henry Lozano

On this occasion, Her Holiness presented a statue of Prince Shotoku – a symbol of Peace and Harmony – from the private collection of Master Shinjo’s works, to the City of New York for its exemplary role as a model city in implementing social change and innovation.

Her speech reminded all those in attendance about the shared bonds and strong connections between people, and the need for everyone to help each other. It was truly an inspiring moment.

The recipient of the 2010 Pathfinders to Peace Award, an award which ho

nors those who have dedicated their lives to bringing about a more peaceful world through their endeavors, was U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, who was honored for his lifelong commitment to service, including his important role in the formation of the Peace Corps, and his support of the civil rights movement working alongside the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. that are only a few of his many accomplishments.

The panel discussion moderated by Ariana Huffington brought an interesting exchange of ideas, bringing together some of the most successful and important women in the community.

The Opening Plenary

Every seat was filled in the legendary and historic Radio City Music Hall at the official kick off of the Conference, with close to 6,000 leaders of the business, nonprofit, government, and volunteer sector ready to embark on the three-day event. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and a host of other dignitaries, community leaders, and volunteers from across the country gave words of encouragement, with emcees Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” kept the crowd entertained.

Mayor Bloomberg

Her Holiness Shinso Ito, brought her serene and quiet strength to encourage and thank all those who were giving their time tirelessly in the task of helping others.
The three days in New York City will provide ways the service movement can better target resources toward pressing social problems and measure impact; expand opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to serve; build the capacity of individuals, nonprofit organizations and communities to address social challenges; and embrace innovation through workshops, plenary session, and in the hallways meeting other people with common goals.