RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday evening, Samsung commemorated ten years of dedication to improving children’s lives across the U.S. and announced the global expansion of Samsung Hope for Children as the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) platform for children’s education, healthcare and sustainability. Through its annual star-studded gala event, Samsung raised $1.4M last night, the highest total in gala history, to benefit children’s health, education and sustainability programs. Celebrity partners attending the gala included former President Bill Clinton, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, John Legend, Jason Mraz and Harry Connick, Jr., among others.
Samsung Hope for Children brings together the company, its retail partners and a dedicated network of charitable organizations associated with renowned public figures. One hundred percent of the proceeds and other funds raised by Samsung throughout the year under its Hope for Children platform goes directly to the charities without stipulation, enabling the foundation organizers to make decisions on where and how to use donated resources.
“As the world’s technology leader, Samsung reaches more than 40 million households in the U.S. alone each year. We feel it is our obligation to drive improvements for future generations through the use of technology,” said YK Kim, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America. “As we pass this special milestone, we remain dedicated to helping improve children’s lives not just in the U.S., but now across the globe as we build upon the accomplishments of Hope for Children in the U.S.”
The nearly 800-person New York City gala at Cipriani Wall Street was hosted by Regis Philbin for the seventh consecutive year, and featured special performances by nine-time Grammy winner John Legend as well as Jason Mraz, Harry Connick, Jr., and world-renown saxophonist Branford Marsalis. President Bill Clinton was presented the Samsung Hope for Children Ambassador Award for his work with the William J. Clinton Foundation. The 42nd President spoke about the pivotal need for ongoing collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector corporations to address some of today’s most pressing social issues.
Other Samsung nonprofit partners in attendance included Jennifer Lopez, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, and Jimmie Johnson, on behalf of their respective foundations.
As part of the fundraising efforts for the tenth anniversary of Samsung Hope for Children, exclusive items such as a Rolls Royce Phantom and a meet-and-greet opportunity with President Bill Clinton are available for auction on www.gocharity.com through Wednesday, June 15th. For a complete list of available auction items, please visit: www.gocharity.com/hopeforchildren.
To learn more about Samsung Hope for Children initiative visit: www.samsung.com/hope, you can also check out the Samsung Hope for Children Facebook Hope tab at www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA. Photos and B-roll from the event can be found at http://www.epklink.com/samsunggala/.
About Samsung Hope for Children
Samsung is dedicated to creating products that inspire passion and enable people to live Smarter Lives. Samsung Hope for Children represents the company’s philanthropic commitment in the U.S. to help improve children’s health, education and sustainability. Over the past 10 years, Samsung Electronics America and its retail and business partners have helped more than 400 schools, community-based foundations, and charities throughout the U.S. raise awareness of and funding for their causes. For more information please visit: www.samsung.com/hope.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, the Samsung organization is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. The company was ranked #19 in BusinessWeek/Interbrand “100 Best Global Brands,” and named as one of Fast Company’s “50 Most Innovative Companies of 2010.” For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. You can also Fan Samsung on www.Facebook.com/SamsungUSA or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.
Samsung Celebrity Partners Quotes
Samsung Hope for Children works with the following celebrities to raise awareness and provide support to the following children’s organizations:
Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village
“My teacher, Ellis Marsalis, taught me the value of excellence and the wonder of the discovery process as a way of learning music”, said musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. “I am pleased that Samsung is joining me to provide after-school music lessons at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music located in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans. The Center is the focal point of Musicians’ Village, a residential community conceived by my friend Branford Marsalis and me, and constructed by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity in the after-math of Hurricane Katrina.”
Boomer Esiason, The Boomer Esiason Foundation
“Eighteen years ago my wife and I learned that our two-year-old son, Gunnar, had cystic fibrosis, a chronic respiratory disease that affects more than 30,000 people in the United States,” commented former NFL pro Boomer Esiason. “Today, I’m happy to report that Gunnar is a healthy college student at Boston College and that the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised more than $80M for research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis and help those afflicted with the disease live longer and fuller lives. We are able to fulfill this mission thanks to kind sponsor partners such as Samsung. “
John Legend, The Show Me Campaign
"Earlier this year I had the pleasure of participating in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow initiative, and witnessed first-hand how the company stimulated nationwide student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math through the use of technology,” said nine-time Grammy winner and philanthropist John Legend. “This is just one example of how Samsung is making a difference in the education and lives of children in partnership with my organization, The Show Me Campaign, which works to give all kids access to quality education.”
Dan Marino, The Dan Marino Foundation
“Samsung Hope for Children, which I’ve had the pleasure of working with for the past 10 years, helps bring broad awareness to a cause that is important to me and my family,” said Dan Marino. “A great example resulting from our collective efforts is spotlighting the talented artist and writer, Haley Moss, who was honored at this year’s event. It’s proof that our partnership is working, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Samsung to make a positive impact in children’s lives.”
Demi Moore, The Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA)
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of young girls in the U.S. are victims of human trafficking and sex slavery," said actress Demi Moore. “With the help of Samsung, DNA is putting a spotlight on this underexposed, yet growing problem to help put an end to it.”
Jason Mraz, The Jason Mraz Foundation
“It was an honor to join this accomplished group from the entertainment, sports, and political arenas for a night dedicated to improving the lives of children,” said Jason Mraz. “I’m excited to begin my partnership with Samsung Hope for Children as it represents a unique approach to giving. Most importantly, in conjunction with the newly-created Jason Mraz Foundation, we have the opportunity to continue raising awareness and funds to support education, healthcare, and sustainability.”
Joe Torre, Safe at Home Foundation
“I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Samsung Hope for Children for many years. Together we’ve learned of ways to apply leading technology to tackle serious issues such as domestic violence,” said Joe Torre. “I congratulate Samsung on a decade of making a true difference in children’s lives, and look forward to being part of the ongoing Hope for Children efforts.”