2012
04/30/2012 - THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S HOT PINK PARTY
04/26/2012 - Grand St. Settlement's Taste of the Lower East Side
04/02/2012 - 2012 Skating with the Stars Gala
04/02/2012 - Strokes of Genius to benefit Autism Spectrum Disorders
03/29/2012 - The American Classical Orchestra 2012 Spring Gala Concert & Benefit
03/24/2012 - United States launch of the Seol Won Foundation
03/21/2012 - Kick-off event for The Perlman Music Program’s May 3rd Spring Benefit
03/16/2012 - Asia WeekNY kick-off reception at the Morgan Museum & Library
03/10/2012 - Toby and Itzhak Perlman and The Perlman Music Program hosted by Jim and Kristy Clark in Palm Beach
03/08/2012 - National Committee on American Foreign Policy Hosts the 2012 Gala Awards Dinner
03/06/2012 - 2nd Annual Fountain House Associates Spring Breakfast
03/05/2012 - School of American Ballet's Winter Ball 2012
03/03/2012 - AMIT NewGen Wine Tasting
03/01/2012 - American Cancer Society Honors Grace Hightower De Niro, Diane Reidy-Lagunes MD, Emily Sonnenblick MD
03/01/2012 - New York School of Interior Design Kick-off Reception
02/25/2012 - GiGi’s PLAYHOUSE NYC, Down Syndrome Awareness Centers, opened its doors for the first time
02/25/2012 - CARON LIGHTS UP MAR-A-LAGO WITH “AFTER DARK” GALA
02/19/2012 - Blitz Build 2012
02/07/2012 - 2012 Annual High School Counselor’s Breakfast
02/06/2012 - The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s ® (BCRF) annual Hot Pink Luncheon and Symposium
02/04/2012 - The 2012 Hope Gala
02/03/2012 - North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee Presents Checks to Local Food Banks
02/03/2012 - American Cancer Society’s 54th Annual Black and White Gala
02/02/2012 - Cut 25 Flagship opening - an event to benefit Project Paz
01/29/2012 - KiDS of NYU Langone Foundation hosted its 6th annual KiDS Play to Win!
01/28/2012 - Girls Bite Out for the North Texas Food Bank
01/26/2012 - French Heritage Society’s New York ChapterKicked Off its 2012 Cultural Season
01/26/2012 - Annual Event to benefit The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School
01/26/2012 - 2012 Plates for Pediatrics Benefit
01/24/2012 - New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Gala
01/20/2012 - 2012 Wishmaker's Ball
01/20/2012 - Silence! Silent Art Forms
01/19/2012 - UJA-Federation of New York Generosity Signature Event
01/19/2012 - JDRF Central Jersey Chapter Events
01/17/2012 - TIFFANY & CO. HOSTS CARON SUPPORTERS TO SPECIAL PREVIEW OF 2012 TIFFANY LEATHER COLLECTION
01/16/2012 - 2nd Annual San Diego Breast Cancer Fundraiser
01/13/2012 - "Cycle Without Limits" Specialized Bike Program
01/12/2012 - Salvatore Ferragamo Hosts and Evening of Shopping to Benefit the Paradise Fund in Support of St. Jud
01/12/2012 - JDRF Central Jersey Chapter Walk to Cure Diabetes Awards Party
01/09/2012 - Museum of American Finance 2012 Gala
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Add your Article

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


Photo Gallery

Click here for more pictures and a slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.

Slideshow »