With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, the “season of giving” extends far and wide beyond the borders of the U.S.
On Nov. 18, C-IN, a European-based event and association management company, along with the Tereza Maxova Foundation, held their 9th annual Fashion for Kids charity show in Prague. Maxova, a Czech model, and her foundation raised US$397,000 to benefit disadvantaged children in the Czech Republic.
About 1,200 guests watched Maxova along with Paulina Porizkova, Eva Herzigova, Petra Nemcova and many others on the catwalk. Over time, the charity has raised close to US$2.2 million.
Meanwhile in Australia, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) raised more than US$25,000 to benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Participating in the Great Adventure Challenge, MCB completed a full day, multi-team based, corporate adventure race in Anglesea on Nov. 16.
Karen Bolinger, CEO, MCB, announced Nov. 21 it was awarded first place as the highest fundraising team in Victoria.
Awarded time credits for the race based on their fundraising efforts, 10 teams participated including Bureau officials.
“In just under nine hours, or eight hours with our time credit, MCB completed seven race legs across three disciplines: running, kayaking and cycling; and two team challenges, covering 70 kilometres (43.5 miles),” said Bolinger.
MCB finished in third place; just three minutes behind second place and nine minutes behind first place.
Starlight Children’s Foundation is the only children’s charity with a permanent, physical presence in every major pediatric hospital in Australia. According to Bolinger, the amount raised is the equivalent of granting four seriously ill children a once in a lifetime Starlight Wish or transforming the hospital experience for over 800 children with Starlight’s programs.
“This feat would not have been possible without the remarkable support of our strategic partners and members, MCB staff and their family and friends,” added Bolinger.
Key sponsors behind the Bureau’s effort included AIME, Reed Exhibitions and the hotels Accor, Clarion Suites Gateway and Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
