Look To The Stars News: We Promise Foundation

Stars Shine for Sick Kids at Diamonds in the Sky Gala

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:17:00 -0000

Who needs Hollywood when stars make Virginia Beach their playground for a memorable black-tie affair?

Musical guest Starship with Mickey Thomas and celebrity emcee Teri Polo of the Meet the Parents movie fame lend their star power to the 4th Annual Diamonds in the Sky Gala hosted by the We Promise Foundation.

The 4th Annual Diamonds in the Sky Gala will be held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel this Wed., Sept. 2nd, and features silent and live auctions of celebrity memorabilia, athletic event and concert tickets, exotic vacation packages and much more. Event proceeds are used to put smiles on the faces of children in Hampton Roads and across the country who face tremendous adversity as a result of life-threatening illness or severe hardship.

Many other stars who aren’t able to make stage appearances endorse the We Promise Foundation’s efforts with donations to the Gala’s silent and live auctions. From signed posters and books to personal items and priceless collectibles, guests can browse and bid on items from celebrity donors such as Madonna, Richard Petty, Cheryl Tiegs, Peyton and Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, James Earl Jones, Mario Andretti, Leonardo diCaprio and Peter Coyote, just to name a few.

The Gala is complemented by the 11th Annual Charity Golf Classic played at the Signature at West Neck Golf Course on Thurs., Sept.3rd. The afternoon event is a sponsor/patron-only event that toasts more than 20 benefiting children who join the players on the course. For golf and gala tickets or more information, contact Jill Haag at #757-233-7111 or jahaag@chartway.com.

With more than 441 wishes funded for Hampton Roads children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and grants for countless other programs across the country funded since 1999, the We Promise Foundation is making a difference in the lives of its members and their community. Last year’s annual Gala and Golf Classic raised a combined $385,000 for the We Promise Foundation, which benefited charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater, St. Mary’s Infant Home and others.

The continued success of these events is due, in large part, to the generous commitment and sponsorship of Fidelity National Information Services, Summit Information Systems, VISA USA, GTI Systems, Inc., Harland-Clarke, Pender & Coward, WAVY-TV 10, Hampton Roads Magazine, Professional Printing Center, Summs Skip & Collection, Americomm Direct Marketing and GVA Advantis Construction. A variety of sponsorship packages still are available for the Diamonds in the Sky Gala and Annual Golf Classic.

About the We Promise Foundation®
As the charitable arm of Chartway Federal Credit Union, the We Promise Foundation® is dedicated to making dreams come true for children struggling with degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship. The foundation provides funding within the communities the credit union serves with a single goal: to put smiles on a child’s face by making their dreams come true. The foundation was launched in 2005 based on the enduring success of Chartway’s previous charitable events. Since 1999, Chartway and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $2M in support of numerous Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters, St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater and other Hampton Roads-area charitable groups. For more information, click on www.WePromiseFoundation.com.

Chartway Federal Credit Union, chartered in 1959, is a not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va. With assets exceeding $1.3 billion, it serves nearly 150,000 members in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.chartway.com.

Kim Alexis To Host Diamonds In The Sky Gala

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Just close your eyes and make a wish… If only it were that easy. For deserving children benefiting from the We Promise Foundation's series of fundraising events this fall, it truly is that magical! This year, with the help of supermodel Kim Alexis and John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, a spectacular gala evening is followed by a prestigious golf tournament in Virginia Beach to underwrite wishes of children who struggle with debilitating or life-threatening illness through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Virginia.

The 3rd Annual Diamonds in the Sky Gala is to be held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on September 3, and features silent and live auctions of celebrity memorabilia, athletic event and concert tickets, vacations and much more. The 10th Annual Charity Golf Classic will then be played at the Signature at West Neck Golf Course on September 4. The afternoon event is a sponsor/patron-only event that toasts more than 20 Wish children who join the players on the course.

Supermodel Kim Alexis has enjoyed one of the most notable careers in the modeling industry. With nearly 30 years in front of the camera, she has graced more than 500 magazine covers and appeared in thousands of television and print ads including six appearances in the renowned Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. By remaining true to her ideals and successfully balancing family and career, she has continually transitioned herself with the changing times. Most recently, Alexis debuted as host of the new “She’s Got the Look” on TV Land in early June, a reality show in search of a woman age 35 or older who wants to model and exudes sophistication, beauty and confidence. From model to mother to author to competitive athlete, Alexis seems to have it all. Her down-to-earth nature and genuine sensitivity make her both appealing and approachable, an ideal role model for girls and women worldwide and the perfect complement to the dynamic children and families who stand to benefit from the efforts of the We Promise Foundation.

Guests at the Diamonds in the Sky Gala won’t have any trouble remembering the lyrics to sing along with John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band when they take the stage at the Virginia Beach Hilton. Hailing from Rhode Island, the band rocketed onto the radio and topped the rock charts in the early ‘80s when they wrote and performed the soundtrack for the movie “Eddie and the Cruisers,” a 1983 release that landed their first recording contract. With more than 25 years performing together, they’re most recognized for their hits “On the Dark Side,” “C.I.T.Y.” and “Voice of America’s Sons” which also was the featured theme song for the movie “Cobra” starring Sylvester Stallone in 1985.

Additional celebrity guests include former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a cadre of former Washington Redskins football players, LPGA golfer Cindy Rarick, Survivor All-Star Rudy Boesch and former NASCAR racer Ashton Lewis. In addition to mingling with guests at the Gala, celebrity attendees hit the links during the afternoon golf tournament at The Signature at West Neck Golf Course.

“It’s always a pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of these beautiful [Make-A-Wish] children and their families when they see and talk to the celebrities who come out in support of our events,” says Chartway President and CEO Ronald L. Burniske. “But what they don’t realize is how those same celebrities, in turn, are awed by the strength and courage that these kids show every day, often battling for their lives. It’s that very premise that drives the We Promise Foundation to support these wonderful kids, each of whom deserve to have their greatest wish granted.”

Last year’s annual gala and golf classic raised a combined $386,000 for Make-A-Wish through the We Promise Foundation, a non-profit, public charity formed by Chartway in 2005.
For additional information, please contact Jill Haag at #757-233-7111 or jahaag@chartway.com, or visit www.wepromisefoundation.com.

Morgan Fairchild Emcees for Children's Charity Gala

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:17:13 -0000

When the limousine stops at the red carpet, the guests applaud the arrival of the celebrity passengers. But veteran actress Morgan Fairchild and members of the Little River Band likely will take second billing to a group of 25 local Make-A-Wish kids who many consider the real stars of a series of annual events hosted by Chartway Federal Credit Union’s We Promise Foundation.

A pair of golf tournaments follow a spectacular gala designed to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Virginia. Fairchild returns to the gala as celebrity emcee, complemented by a live performance from the Little River Band and appearances by a host of additional celebrities from sports, stage and screen. The Make-A-Wish children, ages 2 ½ to 18, also play key roles throughout the events and are given the “star” treatment by celebrities and guests alike.

The 2nd Annual Diamonds in the Sky Gala is taking place at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Wed., Sept. 5th and features silent and live auctions of celebrity memorabilia, athletic event and concert tickets, vacations and more. The 9th Annual Charity Golf Classic is played at Heron Ridge Golf Course and at the neighboring Signature at West Neck Golf Course on Thurs., Sept. 6th. The morning tournament at Heron Ridge is open to the public, and the afternoon tournament at the Signature course is a private, sponsor/patron-only event. For golf and gala tickets or more information, contact Jill Haag at 757-233-7111.

Morgan Fairchild has long been an advocate for social and political causes that touch her heart, and the We Promise Foundation’s partnership with Make-A-Wish does just that.
Last year’s inaugural gala and annual golf classic raised a combined $350,000 for Make-A-Wish through the We Promise Foundation.

The We Promise Foundation is dedicated to making dreams come true for children struggling with degenerative, life-threatening, debilitating or chronic illnesses, or those facing tremendous hardship. The foundation provides funding within the communities the credit union serves with a single goal: to put smiles on children’s face by making their dreams come true. The foundation was launched in 2005 based on the enduring success of Chartway’s previous golf events. Since 1999, Chartway and its We Promise Foundation have raised more than $1.3 million in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Virginia, Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater and other Hampton Roads-area charitable groups. For more information, click on www.WePromiseFoundation.com.

Look To The Stars News: We Promise Foundation

Stars Shine for Sick Kids at Diamonds in the Sky Gala

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Kim Alexis To Host Diamonds In The Sky Gala

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