John Legend Headlines Four Seasons Of Hope Gala

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a goodwill program benefiting children and families, held its eighth annual celebrity gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

“Live with Regis and Kelly” host, Regis Philbin returned for his fifth Samsung gala and was joined by NBC Commentator Bob Costas, who returned for his third gala.

Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope recognizes the charitable efforts of sports, entertainment, and political notables, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer, Jimmie Johnson, Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino through fundraising programs tied to business partners major retailers such as Best Buy, Sears, and the recently added Lowe’s as well as some of its regional partners.

Grammy-Award winner and philanthropist John Legend gave a special live performance to more than 500 guests in attendance where his Show Me Campaign was one of the benefiting charities from the evening’s event. The Show Me Campaign’s mission is to end poverty through sustainable development, education and service at the individual, family and community levels. Legend also brought along singer songwriter Estelle and his brother Vaughn to help entertain the crowd as both are part of Legend’s new record label, Home School Records.

“All of the charities involved in this event are doing tremendous work and I applaud their efforts, I was excited to be part of this night,” said John Legend following his performance.

Other charities to benefit from the event were the Arnold Palmer Foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis, the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, the Dan Marino Foundation, the Jason Taylor Foundation, the Michael Strahan Foundation, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, and the Milagro Foundation.

The event featured a roster of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics including newly signed New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez and current Quarterback Kellen Clemens, Amani Toomer, New England Patriots Wes Welker, members of the New York Jets – Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis Green Bay Packers Running Back Ryan Grant, former NBA star and current ESPN NBA Analyst Jamal Mashburn, TV Star Molly Sims, “All My Children’s” Chrishell Stause, Shannon Kane, Brittany Allen and Melissa Claire Egan, music artist and producer Swizz Beatz, Recording Artists Kelis and Fabolous; Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton; Rene Fris of Bravo’s “Shear Genius” and the Winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 Whitney Thompson. An online and silent auction of unique experiences and sports memorabilia also helped raise funds for all of the participating foundations and charities. The online auction will continue through June 25th at www.gocharity.com/samsung.

“Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is proud to begin its eight year on such a positive note by raising nearly million dollars for the program’s charities and providing an amazing performance by John Legend who is also a true philanthropist,” said CS Choi, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “It is especially exciting and encouraging to see all of our partners and celebrities coming together to benefit children and families. Even during this difficult economic climate, Samsung looks forward to being able to support these charitable efforts as we continue our corporate philanthropy initiatives.”

To date, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program has raised more than $20 million for charity, while winning awards and recognition for its achievements. For more information, visit www.fourseasonsofhope.com or www.samsung.com/newsroom.

Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation Ball To Honor Stars

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0000

The Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation (CCBF) will be hosting its annual “Breakthrough Ball” fundraising gala on Tuesday, October 28, at the newly reopened Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The Foundation expects to exceed last year’s highly successful fundraising gala that raised in excess of $1 million for treatment and research into the causes of childhood cancers and blood diseases.

NFL great Tiki Barber, last year’s honoree and honorary co-chair, will return to award this year’s CCBF Breakthrough Spirit Awards. Charles Grodin will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies. This year’s honorees will include artist, musician and producer, Swizz Beatz; actor/activist Steve Guttenberg; major league star and Yankee analyst Al Leiter; and Laureen Kelley, founder of Save One Life.

Foundation chairperson Les Lieberman said, “Our research and clinical staff are the best in the world, and we are on the cutting edge of developing cures and the best treatments for children suffering from a range of cancers and blood diseases. The money we have raised has gone to building a new state-of-the art laboratory, funding new fellowship positions for young scientists and doctors, and has helped develop new treatments for these serious diseases. These funds also ensure that no child or family is left behind regardless of ability to pay, and that is very important to all of us at CCBF. Our thanks to Charles Grodin, Tiki Barber, and all the people who are committed to making the 2008 gala the best ever.”

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings will provide entertainment. A live auction will be held that will include beautiful DiModolo custom jewelry, a five hour Bombardier Skyjet package, a Caribbean cruise, a personal photo shoot by Heisler Pictures, Inc., a golf package at the top Hamptons’ golf courses, a chef’s dinner for 20 at the winner’s home with ’Cesca chef Kevin Garcia, and much more.

The CCBF supports the pioneering and lifesaving work of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill/Cornell Medical Center. Each year they treat thousands of children with an array of pediatric diseases from cancers to sickle cell and HIV/AIDS. They have a truly incredible group of doctors, scientists and staff committed to finding cures, as well as new and better treatments for these youngsters regardless of their ability to pay. They have made great advances in many of these diseases in recent years.

Proceeds from this benefit will ensure that the CCBF continues its exceptional mission to provide the very best up-to-date treatments for young people, as well as engage in breakthrough research that will hopefully lead to improved care and cures.

For more information concerning the CCBF, visit their website.

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