Samsung Honors Malala Yousafzai and Eric LeGrand at 13th Annual Hope for Children Gala
Six-time Grammy Award Winner Carrie Underwood and Music Legend Tony Bennett Join Tribute to Raise $1.6 million in Support of Children’s Charities
Ridgefield Park, NJ, June 11, 2014 /3BL Media/ ─ Samsung celebrated its annual star-studded Hope for Children Gala on June 10 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, honoring Samsung’s guests and partners who have helped improve children’s lives across the U.S. With more than 700 guests in attendance, the event raised $1.6 million to benefit children’s health, education and sustainability programs. Additional celebrity partners at the gala included Boomer Esiason, Jimmie Johnson, and host Sherri Shepherd.
Samsung Hope for Children, the company’s global corporate social responsibility platform, brings together the company, its retail partners, and a network of charitable organizations associated with renowned public figures. Over the course of its 13-year history, Samsung Hope for Children has raised more than $30 million through the gala that has helped more than 750 schools, hospitals, and community-based foundations throughout the U.S. One hundred percent of the gala proceeds and additional funds raised by Samsung throughout the year under its Hope for Children platform go directly to the charities.
“As the world’s leading technology company, Samsung recognizes the power of technology and caring people play in shaping a brighter future for our children,” said Gregory Lee, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America. “Our goal is to help children gain better health and education as well as empowering them to protect the planet on which they live.”
The New York City gala featured special performances by Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett. Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America, presented the Samsung Hope for Children Champion of Hope Award to Eric LeGrand for his inspirational journey after a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. The presentation of the 2014 Samsung Hope for Children Ambassador Award included a video message from former President Bill Clinton and presentations by Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, Gregory Lee and Tim Baxter all in honoring Malala Yousafzai for her amazing passion and dedication to opening the doors of education for girls all over the world. Shiza Shahid, CEO and co-founder of The Malala Fund, accepted the award in person on Malala’s behalf who expressed her gratitude via video.
To learn more about the Samsung Hope for Children initiative, please visit www.samsung.com/hope. You can also check out the Samsung Hope for Children Facebook Hope tab at www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA.
HD broadcast footage and photos from the event are available at: http://www.epklink.com/2014SamsungGala.
About Samsung Hope for Children
Since our founding in 1969, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has worked with passion and purpose to actively serve as a generous and ethical corporate citizen everywhere we operate. The Samsung Hope for Children program was launched globally to bring attention to the worldwide need for childhood education and healthcare. By supplying Samsung products, lending our expertise, and providing financial support, we’re able to give thousands of children in communities around the world access to education, mentorship, leadership skills, and life-saving medical treatment. It is one of the way in which Samsung uses our innovation to create a better world. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/hope.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
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:
Shiza Shahid, The Malala Fund
“The Malala Fund is honored to be recognized by Samsung for our work opening the door of education to girls all over the world. Malala has dedicated herself to supporting education for all children and it’s a great privilege to receive the Samsung Hope for Children Award.”
Tony Bennett, Exploring the Arts
"As an artist, I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of truth and beauty. That's why I founded Exploring the Arts with my wife Susan. We want those values to inspire the next generation of artists and citizens, so we're working to restore arts education in our public schools."
Eric LeGrand, Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
“When I was first injured, I learned that obstacles can be transformed into opportunities. That is why I founded Team LeGrand to support quality of life initiatives and cutting-edge research for the six million individuals living with paralysis. It is clear that that same passion runs throughout Samsung and through some of the company’s programs like Solve for Tomorrow. Samsung is inspiring students and teachers to fight for a cause they are passionate about – from STEM to sports to a healthy life.”
Jimmie Johnson, The Jimmie Johnson Foundation
“Samsung’s Hope for Children program has been a big supporter of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation since 2009. Our foundation helps children, families and communities in need with a major focus on K-12 public education. A big part of that has been Samsung’s sponsorship of the Team Up for Technology program, which awards a $48,000 technology makeover each year to a deserving K-12 public school.”
Boomer Esiason, The Boomer Esiason Foundation
“My wife, Cheryl, and I founded The Boomer Esiason Foundation 21 years ago when our then two-year-old son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disease. Through the support of companies like Samsung, we have raised more than $100 million dollars to support CF research that will help find a cure and allow those afflicted live longer and healthier lives.”
Sherri Shepherd, The Parkside School
“I’m proud to stand beside Samsung to bring education to younger students and to inspire them to join STEM fields. With the help of Samsung, The Parkside School embraces these values by enabling students to pursue learning in their areas of strength, to acquire tools and strategies to progress in their areas of challenge.”
CONTACT:
Theresa Cha
Samsung Electronics America
Tel: 201-229-4032
Elizabeth Banta
Edelman
Tel: 212-704-4510
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