History

The World of Children (WOC), Inc. was conceived in 1996 and initiated operations in 1998 after 18 months of planning and organizational work. The underlying concept of the WOC was to recognize and support sustainable programs benefiting children by creating a recognition system, similar to that presented by the Nobel committee, for people who have devoted their lives to making such sustainable programs work.

While a large portion of the start-up cost was underwritten by the founder, WOC was established around a sponsorship model; early sponsors included The Kroger Co., Bob Evans Farms, Inc., America West Airlines and several local Columbus, Ohio-based companies. Kellogg's joined as the FOUNDING SPONSOR in 1998, shortly before the first awards were given out, and generously underwrote more than $2 million of the WOC program expenses during its first 8 years.

From 1998 to 2001, the program was called THE KELLOGG'S HANNAH NEIL WORLD OF CHILDREN AWARDS. Initially, the WOC was launched in conjunction with The Hannah Neil Center for Children in Columbus, a facility that treats children with severe emotional and social behavioral problems most often stemming from abuse. It is owned and operated by STARR COMMONWEALTH of Albion, Michigan. During this period, three honorees were selected each year.

In 2002, Cardinal Health joined Kellogg's as a PLATINUM SPONSOR, and a second award was created. The Kellogg's award honored work in the humanitarian and social services and the Cardinal Health award honored work in the medical and scientific disciplines. For each award there were 3 honorees: a primary honoree who received $100,000, and two others who received $10,000 each.

Also in 2002, the WOC board of trustees approved a proposal from the founder to create a third award, to be called THE FOUNDER'S AWARD. This $10,000 award was designed to honor the work of a young person, under age 21, who had devoted her/his short life to helping other children. In 2003 it was raised to $15,000. Annually the friends and family of Dr. and Mrs. Harry Leibowitz in conjunction with corporate sponsors present a cash award to the honoree.

To date, 70 people from 35 different countries have been honored, with stipends totaling over $2 million, and touching the lives of over 30 million children worldwide.

From 2000 to 2005, Muhammad Ali served as the Honorary Chair for the WOC. Mr. Ali attended events, allowed his presence to be used on Kellogg's cereal boxes in support of the WOC and published articles and letters of endorsement for the program in various publications, most notably USA Today.

In 2003, UNICEF and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF aligned with the WOC, and the ceremony officially moved from Columbus to UNICEF House in New York City.

In 2005, TWOCA was completely separated from The Hannah Neil Center and now operates as an independent entity.