Tree of Life Foundation Global Heart Awards Shine as a Palm Beach Legacy
A celebration of humanitarian leadership, civic generosity, and international service unfolds through the enduring work of Dame Amanda Schumacher and the Tree of Life Foundation International in Palm Beach, Florida.
The story of the Tree of Life Foundation International is rooted in a rare combination of vision, structure, and sustained action. Founded by Dame Amanda Schumacher, the organization has grown into a global philanthropic force whose reach spans continents, disciplines, and communities, while remaining deeply anchored in Palm Beach County. Through its Global Heart Awards and its expansive Resource Center network, the foundation has quietly built one of the most comprehensive humanitarian ecosystems operating today.
At the center of this work stands Dame Amanda Schumacher, whose leadership has shaped the foundation’s ethos since its earliest days. Alongside Mr. Charles Schumacher, she has guided the organization with a focus on measurable impact, responsible stewardship, and direct service. Their shared role as Chairmen has established a tone of dignity and purpose that carries through every initiative, from international disaster response to local food distribution.
The Global Heart Awards Gala represents the ceremonial pinnacle of this mission. Presented as part of the National and International United Ambassadors Gala, the event honors individuals whose service has strengthened nations, protected vulnerable populations, and advanced humanitarian ideals. The honorary chairmen ambassadors include His Excellency Dr. Parsa Norooz, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United States, and The Honorable Art Fisher, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Austria. Their participation underscores the diplomatic and international standing of the awards.
The voice of global appreciation was eloquently expressed by H.H. Dr. Prince Mario Max Schaumburg Lippe, whose words affirm that Dame Amanda Schumacher and her Tree of Life Foundation Global Heart Awards are a blessing to the world and to Palm Beach, Florida. His recognition reflects the international esteem earned through years of consistent service and ethical leadership.
The foundation’s influence is reflected in its extensive list of Global Heart Award recipients, spanning ambassadors, medical leaders, artists, humanitarian advocates, and organizational pioneers. Honorees include Denis G. Antoine, Ambassador of Grenada, Dr. Kjell Hodebo, Ambassador of Norway to Sudan, Robert Needle of CARP Inc., David Miller and Peggy Adams of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Michelle Headley of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, Terry Maple M.D. of Palm Beach Zoo, Isadora Duncan, Lori Belilove, Tony Waag of the American Tap Dance Foundation, Pamela Gardiner of Miami City Ballet, Alejandro Monteverde, Denise Pinkley, Leo Severino, Eduardo Verastegui, Sean Wolfington of Bella, Johan Sturm of Animated Family Films, David and Kerri Wall, Noelle Mark Koch of Prelude Pictures, Kim Stryker of Turklers, Hope Alswang of the Norton Museum of Art, Alejandro Cabrera de la Mora, Bruce Helander, Hilary Duff of Kids With a Cause, Neil Portnow of MusiCares Foundation, Bill Hayes of Palm Beach Dramaworks, Judith A. Mitchell, Raymond F. Kravis Center, Tricia Trimble of Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Sonia Jacobson, Max Azria of BCBG and BCBG Max Azria, James Gavrilis of Boca Helping Hands, Robin Mahfood of Food for the Poor, Alan D. Menster of Racing to the Rescue, Brent A. Trotter of Coalition for the Homeless, Sister Carleen Cekal of St. Ann Place, Diana Stanley of The Lord’s Place, Robert Dubinsky of Habitat for Humanity, Miriam Crowley of the International Housing Coalition, Hugh Locke of Yele Haiti, Melky Jean of Carma Foundation, Richard Shook of Missionary Flights International, Tim Malloy, Chandra Bill Rabeneker, Jeffrey Hollander of Orbis International, Leigh Blake, Alicia Keys of Keep A Child Alive, Eileen McCaffrey of Orphan Foundation of America, Tom Eggum of Hope 4 Kids International, and Mike Schmidt.
Beyond individual recognition, the Tree of Life Foundation International has established enduring partnerships with an extraordinary range of organizations supported by its twenty two branches. These include AABC WPBF TV25 with Vicky Regan and Adlan Cruz, Airline Ambassadors International, Albert Schweitzer Haiti, All For One Pet Rescue, American Airlines, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, American Tap Dance Foundation, Andrea Bocelli initiatives, Animated Family Films, Audubon Florida, Audubon Society of the Everglades, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Barky Pines Animal Rescue, Be A Star Foundation Inc., Beit Rapha USA, Belvoir Castle, Blessings in a Backpack, Boca Helping Hands, Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Brazil Foundation, Breast Cancer Research, Broadcast Network News with Allan Mason, Bruce Helander programs, Carma Foundation, CARP Inc., Center for Creative Education, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Children’s Lifeline International, Citizens Defending Freedom CDF USA, Citizens United Foundation, Clinics Can Help, Coalition for the Homeless, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Community Health Center, Community of Hope, Compact of Texas, Conservation Fund, Cristo Rey Network, CROS Ministries, Cureativity Foundation St. Jude Children’s, Dr. Marcelo Lins Hospital Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Dan Marino Foundation, Darbster Foundation, Darbster Rescue, David Gonla Wu Trade Envoy of the Government of Belize, Discovery Channel Haiti’s Hope, Dr. Erroll Mallet Gesuheit Institute, Dress for Success Miami, East Coast Farm and Vegetables, Eastern European Mission EEM, Eddie Rawsrnt, EleVen, End Allergies Together, Farm Share, Fashion 4 Development F4D, Food for the Poor, Foundation of America, Frederick Anderson Group, Freedom Horse Ranch, Fresh RX, Friends of Conservation, Frito Lay Pepsi, Global Heart Ministries, Gulfstream Council Boy Scouts America, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Hilary Duff Blessings in a Backpack, Historic Society of Palm Beach, Hope 4 Kids International Orphan, Hospice of the Palm Beaches, House of Grace International, Human Rights First, Human Rights House Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare IFAW, Jessica June Children’s Cancer, Jewish Federation Foundation, Journey Church, Keala Foundation, Keiser University Seahawks, Knights of the Night, Lady Fatima Orphanage Haiti, Life Without Limbs, Lisa Boccardi Breast Foundation, Little Smiles, Lutheran Services of Florida, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Melanoma Foundation, Miami Cancer Institute, Miami City Ballet, Miami Diaper Bank, Missionary Flights International, Morning Day Community Solutions, MusiCares Foundation, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Center for Healthy Veterans, Nick V Ministries, NPH USA Friends of Orphans Hospital, Oceanside Produce, Only Make Believe, Orbis International, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Palm Beach County Library System, Palm Beach County School District, Palm Beach Dreamworks, Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Palm Beach Island Hospice, Palm Beach Theater Guild, Palm Beach United Way, Palm Beach Zoo, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue, Periko Leon, Popeyes Foundation, Prager University, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Puresa Humanitarian, Racing to the Rescue Foundation, Raymond F. Kravis Center, RDK Melanoma Foundation, Red Sneakers for Oakley Inc., Research Hospital Health Palm Beach, Resource Depot, Reveal Church, Reviver Children’s Hospital Brazil, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, Second Half Production, SMOCGG Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, St. Ann Place Outreach Center, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, The Community Foundation, The Eagles’ Wings Foundation Disaster Relief, The Give Back Community Inc., The Hunger Project, The International Housing Coalition, The Ireland Funds, The Lord’s Place, The Oasis Project, The Pajama Project, The Quantum Foundation, The Society for the Preservation, The World Series of Golf Foundation, Tim Malloy initiatives, Town of Palm Beach United Way Inc., UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical, United Servants Abroad, University of Miami, Untrafficked, USA Harvest Blessings in a Backpack, USPS Stamp Out Hunger, V Star Interiors, Vamos Falar Portugues, Victoria’s Voice Foundation, Vision for Israel, Watson Medical Ltd., Wellington Football Team, West Palm Beach Rotary Club, and Yele Haiti.
The Tree of Life Resource Center in West Palm Beach serves as the operational heart of this vast network. Located on Vista Parkway, the center functions as a distribution hub, coordination headquarters, and service gateway for families and individuals in need. Since its founding in 2020, the Resource Center has served over eighty nine thousand individuals, distributed tens of millions of dollars in in kind donations, delivered over forty five million pounds of resources, facilitated medical services for thousands, and mobilized more than five thousand volunteer hours.
The foundation’s mission remains clear and unwavering. As a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit founded in 2006, Tree of Life Foundation International consolidates, connects, markets, and fundraises to support organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, allocating one hundred percent of donations to the individuals and organizations served through its branches.
Through the Global Heart Awards, Dame Amanda Schumacher has created more than an annual celebration. She has established a living record of service, an archive of generosity, and a platform that elevates humanitarian leadership across borders. In Palm Beach and far beyond, the Tree of Life Foundation International continues to stand as a testament to what disciplined compassion and visionary organization can achieve when service is treated as both responsibility and legacy.
