Over $6000 from the Swarovski Auction!
October 9, 2007
The total bids on the 14 Swarovski-adorned, celebrity designed denim jackets was over $6,000! There was an average of over $430 per jacket. Ultimately, Carrie Underwood’s jacket had a final bid of over $700, the only one to break that barrier. Reba McEntire had a final bid of nearly $650, and ultimately the Swarovski Design Team jacket snuck between the two and went for over $650.
Overall, each jacket had an average of over 15 bids, with Finola Hughes’ jacket receiving over twice as many bids as Carrie Underwood’s jacket, which had the highest selling price. Finola Hughes, who we initially described as an “award winning soap opera star of General Hospital and All My Children,” may actually be better known to some for hosting Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” on television. We apologize!
Thanks to Finola, Carrie, Reba, and all of the celebrities who helped make this a success, as well as you, the bidders!
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Swarovski Auction for World Orphan Week Coming to a Close.
October 5, 2007
Auction ENDING!
While a couple days remain in World Orphan Week, the Swarovski auction is ending in just a few hours!
To support World Orphan Week and the work that we do, go ahead and make your last minute bids, please.
Some bargains can still be found, most notably Grey’s Anatomy star Sara Ramirez’ beautiful denim jacket has bids under $250.
Bid now, bid often at the Swarovski Custom Denim Jackets Store. Which jacket will raise the most funds? It looks like country music may have it wrapped up, with Reba McEntire currently holding the lead, and rising country star Carrie Underwood coming in second. Few more hours for things to jump around, though!
Topics: Orphans, USA | Comments Off
World Orphan Week Launches!
October 1, 2007
As World Orphan Week launches, and fundraising campaigns begin across the country, Leina Saikali shared a few words with us about sponsoring Sharon, a Zambian child through SOS Children’s Villages.
“I love sponsoring a child with SOS Children’s Villages! There is a certain gratification that comes from knowing that such a small amount of money a month can change the course of a persons life and give them a better chance at survival!
I love getting updates about my sponsor child. It makes me glad to know that she is now in a safe environment with the SOS Villages, and that she is succeeding
at school and hopes to become a doctor some day to help others.I am very grateful to the SOS Children’s Villages for the work they do in making the world a better place and giving opportunity and hope to the children that need it the most.”
Thanks for the kind words, Leina!
To learn more and get involved, visit World Orphan Week at WOWUS.org.
Topics: Orphans | Comments Off
Jessica Alba’s Swarovski Denim Jacket at Auction.
September 28, 2007
Jessica Alba is beautiful, successful, and giving. Currently starring in “Good Luck, Chuck”, and independent film, “Bill”, Jessica Alba started her career many years ago, at the age of 12. Her roles have appropriately featured her more and more prominently, and she is confirmed to be an actress in 3 or 4 films in the next couple of years.
It is with honor that Jessica Alba got involved in the Swarovski Celebrity Auction to support SOS Children’s Villages and World Orphan Week. Her jacket, along with many other celebrities’ creations, are being auctioned at eBay starting at just $150, and whose full proceeds will go to support SOS-USA in their worldwide efforts to help orphaned and abandoned children.
Your donation and involvement in World Orphan Week is much appreciated!
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World Orphan Week Auctions Celebrity Denim Jackets with Swarovski.
September 25, 2007
Celebrity designed denim jackets have arrived for World Orphan Week! Swarovski, which I have always known as the beautiful stores that feature bold blues and reds to highlight their beautiful crystals, has partnered with some top-notch celebrities, some of whom I think are just beginning very long, successful careers in entertainment. These celebrities have come forward to support and raise funds for SOS Children’s Villages. The beautiful American Idol winner of Season 4, Carrie Underwood, runner-up from Season 5, Katharine McPhee, and Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks, all got into the action of supporting SOS-USA and World Orphan Week.This officially kicks off today, September 25, with a charity auction that can be found through eBay Giving Works. Bid on, and win a celebrity denim jacket and support orphaned and abandoned children. The auction runs through most of World Orphan Week!
Swarovski is the world leader in precision-cut crystal, and is no stranger to SOS Children’s Villages. In 1949, Daniel Swarovski I, the founder of the crystal manufacturer, was a supporter of SOS Children’s Villages. Swarovski’s manufacturing headquarters is even in the same region as SOS in Austria!
The celebrity denim jackets that have emerged from this collaboration feature Swarovski brooches and iron-crystal transfers and replicas of the jackets are already touring stores in the United States. We’re fortunate to have some locally to SOS-USA’s headquarters. They’re just a short drive away in Tyson’s Corner Center, located in McLean, VA, but they can also be found here:
- Rockefeller Center, New York, NY
- 625 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
- Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
- Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL
- Century City, Los Angeles, CA
Other celebrity supporters include:
- Jessica Alba, who is currently starring in the movie Good Luck Chuck,
- Laila Ali, long-time champion boxer and 3rd place finisher in Dancing with the Stars,
- Eric Dane, accomplished actor, most recently known as “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy,
- Rebecca Gayheart, a television regular, and did you know(?), married to Eric Dane,
- Angie Harmon, best known for her Law and Order role, but with other television and big screen successes more recently,
- Finola Hughes, award winning soap opera star of General Hospital and All My Children,
- Stacy London, the fashion guru, best known for her co-hosting What Not To Wear,
- Reba McEntire, award winning country music performer for over 20 years,
- Sara Ramirez, Tony award winner in 2005 for Monty Python’s Spamalot, prior to her role in Grey’s Anatomy,
- Vanessa Williams, actress and singer extraordinaire.
There will be more than 25 million orphaned and abandoned children by 2010, all who need our love and support. Join us in World Orphan Week!
Topics: Childrens Village news, Orphans, USA, Child Abandonment | Comments Off
Beach Walk to Benefit SOS Childrens Villages
September 20, 2007
Today marks the start of the Sara Goodwin Foundation three-day, 45-mile beach walk in Myrtle Beach, SC, which will raise money for SOS Children’s Villages. Steven Goodwin said that he set up the foundation in his late wife’s name because:
It was important for me to do something to remember her. She loved children and worked with them when she was a police officer in London.
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Recent SOS News Headlines
September 18, 2007
Below are a selection of various posts over the last few weeks that have either been about, or featured SOS Children’s Villages. Most detail the gifts of time, money, or other items that have been given to improve the quality of life of the orphaned and abandoned children at the villages.
- American Express spreads Back-to-School cheer at SOS Children’s Village Association
- Gambia: Artist Painting At SoS Children’s Village
- Faritec Donates Computer Lab
- Religion comes first in Lebanon, even for orphans
- An Interview with the President of SOS Children’s Villages of India
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Sporting Support for SOS Childrens Villages
September 13, 2007
London based English premier league soccer team, Tottenham Hotspurs, today released their new newsletter - “Good Foundations” - which details the work that they do in their community, and around the world. In this magazine they detail their work with youth projects, and specifically talk about their
ground-breaking partnership with SOS Children’s Villages International in South Africa
In the article they talk about the innovative way that the team is sponsoring the village. Whenever a player is fined by the club, that money goes directly to SOS Childrens Village to cover the running costs of the Spurs family home, as well as for community development projects in and around Rustenburg.
In other news, yesterday saw the announcement of the “Gulf for Good Alpine Ski Challenge“. This event will see up to 50 skiers of all skill levels from intermediate up, skiing an total of 1,000,000 metres downhill over 3 days. The event will take place from March 9th - 13th in 2008, and will see the skiers ski in Verbier in Switzerland; Courmayeur in Italy; and finally Chamonix in the French Alps. Funds raised by participants on The Alpine Ski Challenge will support orphans at the non-profit SOS Children’s Villages Ksarnaba restoration project in Lebanon.
Topics: Childrens Village news, Middle East, Africa | Comments Off
Greek Fire Relief Efforts from SOS Children’s Villages
September 10, 2007
Geography is not my strong suit. When I sat down to write about the fires in Greece and the SOS Children’s Villages’ relief efforts there, I had to know where the fires were in relation to the villages already in Greece. There are already two villages in Greece, but neither is as far south as the most devastating fires, nor as far west. The closest village is the one in Vari, Greece, which is south of the capital of Athens. That village in Vari has housed Greek orphaned children since August 1982, just over 25 years ago!
In southern Greece, large fires were devastating families in late August into early September. SOS Children’s Villages in Greece responded to four affected towns and is providing temporary housing for over 30 families who have lost their belongings to the fires. SOS Children’s Villages will be providing counseling and support, as needed.
Early reports indicate that the wildfires have not deterred tourists to Greece, an industry which produces 1 in 5 jobs in Greece, and accounts for 20% of the gross domestic product. But as much as 5% of the olive harvest may be affected, in fact, lost to the fires. The loss of olive trees could continue to affect the production of olives and olive oil, and we wish the best for Greece and a speedy recovery!
Topics: Childrens Village news, Eastern Europe | Comments Off
Celebrate 100 SOS Children’s Villages in Europe
September 7, 2007
Congratulations is in order! SOS Children’s Villages, already 450+ villages strong, just celebrated the opening of another SOS Children’s Village in Europe. This is the 100th village to support orphaned and abandoned children in Europe. The new village opened in Latvia, and is already home to 3 SOS mothers who care for thirteen Latvian orphans. In just four months time, by the end of the year, it will be home to 20 children, and has the capacity for 4 times that!
The town of Valmiera, Latvia, where the village is located, is rich in history, and culture. It can even be found as a tourist destination for those looking to do some skiing or canoeing, or for those interested in catching a theater performance.
With the help of SOS Children’s Villages, and the wonderful SOS mothers, we hope the children will find love and bountiful opportunities in Valmiera in the years to come!
Topics: Childrens Village news, Eastern Europe | Comments Off
