Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope, an innovative goodwill program, held its sixth annual celebrity gala to benefit children and families in need tonight at New York's Cipriani Wall Street. This year's event featured "Live with Regis and Kelly" host, Regis Philbin who returned for his third gala to help recognize the charitable efforts of sports, entertainment and political notables, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Joe Torre, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Boomer Esiason, Arnold Palmer, and Dan Marino.
Singer, song-writer, actress Alicia Keys gave a special live performance to raise money for her charity The Alicia Keys Family Foundation, an umbrella organization that provides support to the many non profit groups whose mission statement is devoted to the betterment of the World's children and their families.
The sold-out event featured a star-studded roster of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment and politics, and included a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other exciting items that will help raise funds for all of the participating foundations and charities.
"Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope is proud to begin its sixth year on such a positive note raising $1 million for the program's charities and a wonderful performance by Alicia Keys," said D.J. Oh, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "It is especially exciting and encouraging to see all of our partner corporations and superstars coming together to benefit children and families. Samsung looks forward to being able to support these charitable efforts for years to come."
A new addition to this year's program was the special delivery of an assistance dog named "Juanita" to an autistic family through the Dan Marino Foundation. Samsung North America introduced the successful "Friends for Life program" created in Korea to provide financial support for the training of special service animals to assist kids and others who through the use of a dedicated service dog lead a better quality of life. Another dog named Sammy will go to a future family affected by autism and Samsung will be donating a classroom assistant dog to support special education. This dog will be given to the special education teacher/therapist at the grand prize winner of the 2007 Samsung Hope for Education program.
"Being able to provide additional support to a deserving family tonight was a very special moment," said Dan Marino of the dog donation. "Bringing this program to North America will hopefully help out many more families that have a child afflicted with autism or another illness."
Launched in 2002 by Samsung Electronics America, Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope is an innovative goodwill program dedicated to raising awareness and funds through national retail promotions with Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears and CompUSA. The retailers have encouraged their customers to donate to the program through sales promotions and sweepstakes. To date, Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope program has raised more than $7.5 million for charity and won recognition for its achievements.
About Samsung Four Seasons of Hope charities:
-- The Dan Marino Foundation. The Dan Marino Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides integrated treatment programs, outreach services and research of chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities in children.
-- Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation. Created in 2002 to bring educational programs into schools and develop community awareness surrounding the issue of domestic violence.
-- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. Located in Orlando, FL, the hospital offers comprehensive healthcare services for children and women as well as nationally acclaimed specialty programs including the Congenital Heart Institute, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the third largest Labor & Delivery department in the nation and the region's only Level I trauma center.
-- Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Created by Boomer Esiason and his wife in 1993 after their son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, the foundation works to raise money to find a cure for the genetic disease. To date, more than $50 million has been raised for the cause.
-- The Wayne Gretzky Foundation. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation is dedicated to helping young people exercise and develop positive life skills through ice hockey.
-- The Magic Johnson Foundation. Founded by Magic Johnson following his retirement from the NBA in 1991, the foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for people residing in urban communities.
-- St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers. Rudy Giuliani's charitable efforts for St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers, one of the NY metropolitan area's most comprehensive health care systems, serving 600,000 people annually. The system includes nursing homes, hospice, substance abuse clinics and EMS services across the city.
http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2007/06/19/businesswire20070618006524r1.html
