Smiling Children Gala 2010 raises over CHF 1,400,000; dedicates a part to crisis recovery projects in Haiti

Carouge, 26 January 2010 (Smiling Children). Hosted by the Bertarelli Foundation at the prestigious Country Club Geneva in Bellevue, the Gala held in favour of Smiling Children’s international activities drew an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 700 guests during the night of 21-22 January 2010. Over CHF 1,400,000 were raised in the course of the evening, of which a part will be dedicated to crisis recovery projects led by women’s groups in Haiti.

Contemporary art work, select jewellery, luxurious sojourns and numerous other invaluable and original items, most of them magnanimously donated to the cause, were auctioned off for well over CHF 800,000. Other activities and exclusive sales met with the participants’ generosity. Music performances by Kirsty Bertarelli and Yannick Noah completed a entertaining night of solidarity.

Smiling Children will use the revenues to pursue its important projects for women, girls and underprivileged communities in Morocco, Israel, the West Bank and Afghanistan. Through its new “WomenChangeMakers” project, Smiling Children will assist social entrepreneurs with innovative ventures favouring women’s socio-economic empowerment.

In Haiti, Smiling Children will work in partnership with the Global Fund for Women to bring immediate relief as well as supporting medium- and longer-term reconstruction projects.

“We are overwhelmed and grateful for the commitment and generosity of our sponsors and of our guests,” said Yann Borgstedt, founder of Smiling Children. “The onus is on us now to mark tangible progress for women and their communities in some of the most remote places on earth. We are ready to take on the challenge.”

Also on 21 January, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) hosted Smiling Children at their VIP cocktail where the foundation appealed for its on-going activities as well as for aid to the reconstruction of Haiti. Nearly CHF 38,000 were collected on the spot and though donations made to the foundation by the SIHH’s guests.

For further information, please contact Antonella Notari Vischer, director, Smiling Children / WomenChangeMakers project, tel. +41 79 470 47 07, antonellaATwomenchangemakers.org.

Photos of the Gala evening are available on www.shootingdeluxe.com. Please mention copyright: shootingdeluxe.com in case of public use.