2013
05/13/2013 - NYU Medical Center's Violet Ball
05/13/2013 - 208th New England Society's Founders' Day Celebration
05/08/2013 - New York kick-off reception for Masterpiece London
05/06/2013 - Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard & Airmen’s Club's Fifth Annual Red, White and Blue
04/29/2013 - NY Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s Spring Luncheon “Get Smart” Elizabeth Smart
04/25/2013 - 2013 New England Society Book Awards at the historic Grolier Club
04/25/2013 - Strokes of Genius 3rd Annual International Savant Art Exhibition
04/23/2013 - New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) celebrates their annual Hall of Fame Benefit
04/13/2013 - Culture Lovers Attend Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival
04/02/2013 - French Heritage Society Dinner and Exclusive Preview, at the BGC Gallery April 2, 2013
03/18/2013 - The Perlman Music Program Cocktails, Dinner and a Chamber Music Concert in Palm Beach
03/15/2013 - Asia Week New York Kick-off Reception at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum,
03/12/2013 - Third Annual Fountain House Associates Spring Breakfast: “Between The Sheets”
03/05/2013 - NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENTER’S FACES GALA HONORING LEON CHARNEY RAISED $4.5 MILLION
02/23/2013 - "I Have A Voice" fundraiser for Gigi's PLAYHOUSE
02/23/2013 - Eleventh Annual “Thanksgiving in February” Feeds over 500 of New York’s Needy
02/21/2013 - The French Heritage Society's Annual Palm Beach Gala Dinner
02/21/2013 - 24th Annual Gala of Heart & Soul Charitable Fund Auction at Christie’s
02/21/2013 - Eva Longoria Hosts Benefit for “Food Chains” Documentary - Exposes Exploitation in Am’s Farm Labor
02/13/2013 - Verdura hosts a fundraiser for“The Michael Feinstein American Songbook Initiative”
02/13/2013 - Lost and Found: The Pinajian Discovery, a benefit preview for the Fund for Armenian Relief
02/08/2013 - 56th Annual Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach
02/07/2013 - Lost and Found: The Pinajian Discovery benefit preview for the Fund for Armenian Relief
02/06/2013 - All Star Orchestra’s Preview Screening of their New Classical Music and On-line Education Television
01/29/2013 - Urban Greenwalk
01/23/2013 - The Perlman Music Program Fourth Charity Wine Auction
01/20/2013 - Budapest Festival Orchestra
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UNICEF's Third Annual Message of Hope gala
04/17/2010

UNICEF's Third Annual Message of Hope gala

April 17 was a historic night for the Midwest Regional Office of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, as its third annual Message of Hope gala successfully completed its three-year,

$6.5-million goal for the Accelerated Child Survival (ACS) Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa. More than $470,000 was raised at the event through generous corporate and individual sponsors, ticket sales, raffles, live auctions, and a paddle raise, including a net of more than $450,000 for the ACS campaign.

“In light of difficult economic conditions over the past three years, the fact that we have reached our goal is a testament to the generosity of local philanthropists and corporations, and their commitment to helping UNICEF save lives around the world,” said Casey Marsh, director of the Midwest Regional Office. “Though we reached our goal at this event, there is still more to do. An estimated 24,000 children die daily of preventable causes around the world, and we will continue to work on behalf of children until that number is zero.”

The evening began with a cocktail reception where guests learned more about UNICEF’s work. A ten feet by 12 feet “field tent” was set up in the space, allowing attendees to view and purchase (for donation) supplies and other items that are used to save and improve lives in the field, including bed nets, polio vaccines, a school-in-a-box kit and a motorcycle.

Guests then proceeded to the candle-lit Grand Ballroom, which was styled by prominent Chicago designer Tom Kehoe. The décor was inspired by organic elements of sub-Saharan Africa, including a prairie grass centerpieces, and moss arranged to spell “message of hope.”

The Columbia College Gospel Choir kicked off the entertainment with a stirring performance. They were followed by remarks from Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and Renee Van de Weerdt, chief of UNICEF’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Section. Kids from School of Rock, the nation’s premier rock music program, located in Chicago, brought the crowd to their feet with their performances of songs including, “The Climb” and “More Than Words.” Finally, everyone was on the dance floor when the band Little Big Men rocked the house.

Before the night ended, organizers confirmed that proceeds from the event had exceeded the $400,000 needed to reach the campaign goal. A champagne toast for all attendees and extended round of applause marked the occasion.

“This event celebrated the giving spirit of those who support the work of UNICEF,” said Chris Baldwin, managing director at Credit Suisse and sole chair for the event. “I’m honored to have been a part of such a successful evening for this incredible organization. The generosity of those who supported Message of Hope allows UNICEF to save lives around the world.”

Photos: Gail Pollard


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