HopeForThem Holiday Toy Drive for the Children of Haiti

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 1, 2011 -- The holiday season is upon us, and the HopeForThem Foundation will be having a toy drive on December 17th, 2011 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Gallery 151, 132 West 18th Street, hosted by Mike Jean & Ines Ferre of CNN, benefiting the children of Haiti and im.material global.

Guests will be required to bring an unwrapped toy (valued under $25) with an additional $30 donation; or, to donate $50 for admission to the event. Before walking the red carpet, attendees will have a chance to make additional donations by purchasing raffle tickets for an array of incredible, one-of-a-kind prizes to be revealed as the event nears. Inspired cocktails will be served and sponsored by St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, offered alongside artisan wines from Evening Land Vineyards. Alison Price Becker and Chef Robert Gurvich, soon to open the new restaurant Alison Eighteen, will provide delicious canapés.

DJ’s SKY Nellor and Super Jaimie will be spinning the evening’s tracks. Up and coming singing sensation Kate Nauta will be performing an acoustic set of her original music. Best known for her performance in the movie Transporter 2, as well as several fashion and luxury brand campaigns, Kate has been dazzling audiences from New York City to Frankfurt. (www.EverythingKateNauta.com). Live painting duo Borbay and Ari Lankin will be creating original artworks throughout the evening that guests can bid on during the event. Named one of Time Out New York's Most Creative New Yorkers, Borbay was the talk of the hip hop world after recently completing his show #KingsOFHipHop (www.borbay.com/kings/). Ari Lankin collaborates in a wide range of media and just closed his solo painting exhibition “Windows of Self” (www.arilankin.com/). World-renowned artist William Quigley (www.clicgallery.com/artists/william-quigley/artist-info.htm) will be displaying selections of his work alongside highly acclaimed Haitan artist Jean-Baptiste Frantz (www.jeanbaptistefrantz.com/), which will be auctioned off mid-way through the event.

The HopeForThem Foundation is a non-profit organization that delivers aid to disaster-stricken areas around the world. After the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti in January of 2010, founder Mike Jean committed his organization to providing relief to his home country. (www.hopeforthem.org/)

im.material global is a non-for-profit group that builds strong and sustainable communities in developing nations. Founder Patrick Simeon leads a team currently building a village in Haiti to accommodate the homeless people of the post-earthquake devastation. (www.immaterialglobal.com/)

Gallery 151 (www.gallery151.com) is graciously sponsoring the event as the third and final of a series of toy drives in conjunction with the gallery's Peter Pan inspired exhibit "Wonderlost" open from December 1 2011 - January 8 2012. The exhibitions and events at Gallery 151 would not be possible without the generous support and sponsorship of Michael Namer and his company Alfa Development (www.alfadm.com), Chelsea Green at 151 West 21st Street (www.151w21.com), and Alison Eighteen (www.alisoneighteen.com).

This evening of art and altruism came alive only with support of The Blumstein Team at Corcoran, The City Firm and J. Sakiya Sandifer (www.TheThinkMovement.com). A portion of all proceeds will go to Kate Nauta’s Sponsor-a-Dream Program.

Produced by: Mike Jean, Clark De-Marcus, Cole Blumstein and Ben Lang
Press passes: Jenny J. Kim jenny@hopeforthem.org - (860)580-9646

Tickets: www.hopeforthem.org/toys
http://hopeforthemtoydrive2011.charityhappenings.org/

151 Gallery     Hands for haiti     HFTF     Hopeforthem Foundation     Ines Ferre of CNN     kate nauta     mike jean     Patrick Simeon