Orphaned Starfish Foundation Has Successful Fifth Annual Gala in NYC

• ShareThis Email PDF Print

This has been a very exciting year for the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. I'm humbled by the amount of support we received, which has moved the foundation to a whole new level, and will enable us to improve the lives of even more children.

New York City, NY (PRWEB) November 3, 2009

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF), an internationally recognized foundation that provides computer vocational training centers for orphans and disadvantaged children throughout the developing world, held its 2009 Annual Gala on October 22, 2009 at the Ritz Carlton, Battery Park in New York City.

The Annual Gala, the Foundation’s largest fundraising event, which brought together over 280 supporters of children’s issues in Latin America and beyond, raised well over $260,000 for the support of OSF’s eighteen programs in eight countries throughout Latin America: Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Foundation also announced its first new program in Ethiopia, working together with Gelila Puck. "This has been a very exciting year for the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. I'm humbled by the amount of support we received, which has moved the foundation to a whole new level, and will enable us to improve the lives of even more children. The genuine and heartfelt speeches of these orphans were an inspiration to all of us," said Andrew Stein, Chairman of the Orphaned Starfish Foundation.

The evening honored nine orphans from six countries for their achievements in the Orphaned Starfish Programs that left their villages and their countries for the first time for this special occasion. “God bless all of the people who help our kids imagine better opportunities in their lives,” said Ana Isabel Gamboa, Program Supervisor, Costa Rica. “The Orphaned Starfish Foundation really made me want to roll up my sleeves and help make a difference in an orphanage. I would love to travel to a benefiting country and help where I can. There is so much that can be done through mentorship and a positive support network, and it truly is a great cause," said Kristen Dalton, Miss USA.

The Red Carpet featured celebrities from the fields of entertainment, sports, and pageantry. Harry Carson (Hall of Fame Linebacker, NY Giants), Kristen Dalton (Miss USA), Susan Miller (Playwright – “The L Word”), Justine Pasek (Miss Universe 2002), Wolfgang and Gelila Puck (Restauranteurs and Philanthropists), Denise Quiñones (Miss Universe 2001), and Ronaldo Snipes (Legendary Boxer) were all on hand to support these children. The Mistress and Master of Ceremonies at the Gala were Satcha Pretto, Anchor of Primer Impacto on Univision and John Del Giornio, Eyewitness News Traffic Reporter for WABC.

Sponsoring this event in support of Orphaned Starfish Foundation’s programs were Continental Airlines, DIRECTV Más, Deutsche Bank, Katten Muchin, Luxury Worldwide Transportation, Merritt and Harris, WestLB, IPC Companies, Acai, SBS Communications and others.

For post- event footage and photos please visit ftp.hispanicusa.net, password: hispanic123! or contact Sandra Mandell at Phone: 917-362-6415.

About Orphaned Starfish Foundation:
The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF), creates lasting change in the lives of orphans and disadvantaged youth throughout the developing world by providing education and vocational skills that allow them to permanently overcome the cycles of poverty and abuse. Founded in 2001, by its Chairman Andrew Stein, the Orphaned Starfish Foundation partners with orphanages and homes for impoverished children throughout Latin America. The orphanages provide a refuge and safe haven for the children, and the Orphaned Starfish Foundation funds the construction and operation of vocational training facilities, including furnishings, required equipment, trainer salaries, and job placement services, within the homes themselves.OSF currently has 18 programs in eight countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Haiti with plans to expand next year both in their existing markets as well as into Ethiopia and throughout the Andean Region of South America. OSF currently works with over 3000 children in its programs.

###

Share: