The Order of Malta might sound like an overtly romanticized name a group of nobility assigned to themselves in the Medieval Period. That is only because the organization has been around for 900 years, globally assisting the sick and the suffering in over 120 countries.
This past Saturday The Order of Malta carried for the 35th year the Inaugural White Cross Ball of New York, proceeds being donated to three specific projects.
The first, the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, which is the only place in the West Bank where mothers and babies can receive better standards of maternal and neonatal care, regardless of their ability to pay. Second, proceeds will support ongoing relief efforts among the victims of the Syrian Civil War and the Nepalese Earthquake. Third, proceeds will help fund participation of disabled American youth at the Order’s International Summer Camp for disabled youth. There is no better reason to drink and dance than for charity.
Additionally, I had a chance to ask Niccolo Falez, ball committee chair of The Order of Malta, a few questions, such as what he feels has contributed to the continued annual celebration and allowed The Order of Malta to survive 900 years (maybe The Ottoman Empire should have taken notes). “It is incredible how many people really want to be part of this, to grow together with us and see year-by-year how much good we can do.” Falez attritubed the growth and continued success to the fact they are basically saving the world. He didn’t directly say that, but I can’t think of a better phrase to describe their work.
When I asked if they had any major accomplishments this year, he humbly noted, “Nothing of this scope has been done in the American history of the order of Malta and we sold out almost one week before the event.” However, that’s not all folks- “We made the determination to focus on three projects in particular for the first year, to aid those both locally and globally through the Order’s works: The Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, which provides neonatal care to the West Bank, material assistance to Syria and Nepal through Malteser International, the Order’s relief agency and the International Summer Camp for Disabled Youth, which will be an ongoing initiative for the ball, as we work to also establish a camp here in the US. For me, the connection to the Order is a deeply personal one: I am a third generation Knight of the Order of Malta and my grandfather has always been very active with charity through the order of Malta. I hope to continue his legacy of making a difference.”
And to top it off, Falez noted that there was no major obstacle or setback this year, though admitting that successfully executing the event itself was an obstacle all on it’s own. Maybe I should hire them to successfully execute my next birthday party? Jello shots for charity?
