Tag: fundraising

Categories
Design

DIFFA by Design Takes Over Center 415

DIFFA BY DESIGN

The Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is kicking off the season with their annual fundraising extravaganza, DIFFA BY DESIGN, at Center 415 from March 24 to 26.

A formal gala co-hosted by DIFFA Chair Emeritus Architect David Rockwell and featuring live performances and appearances from special guests such as actress Jane Krakowski, Broadway star Amber Man, members of the cast of Company, and DIFFA Board Chairman Cindy Allen, will take place on Thursday, March 24, to kick off the three-day event. The next day, Friday, March 25, guests are invited to DIFFA NIGHTS, a dance party featuring classic grooves and iconic fashion. Throughout the event, guests can view unique vignette installations from brands including Gensler, Steelcase, Carl Hansen & Søn, Jeffrey Beers International, and Florim, all at Center 415. Additional programming, such as panel discussions, a loom installation by Suzanne Tick, a pop-up shop from Robert Verdi, and a silent auction, will also take place during the three days to further activate and engage guests.

DIFFA BY DESIGN is emerging this year at a pivotal movement in the non-profit’s 50-year history, as the organization recently expanded its mission to also address challenges relating to homelessness, food scarcity, and mental health illness in the AIDS-afflicted community. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting DIFFA’s partner organizations which contribute direct aid to impacted individuals and groups. For tickets, head to diffa.org/diffa-by-design/. To learn more about Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, check out Downtown Magazine’s profile on DIFFA Executive Director Dawn Roberson in our Summer 2021 issue, The Reformers.

Categories
Culture Events Wellness

Lulu & Leo Fund Celebrates Creativity With First Annual Choose Creativity Awards

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 3: Kevin Krim, Marina Krim and Victor Cruz attend Choose Creativity Awards at Edison Ballroom on June 3, 2019 in New York. (Photo by Gonzalo Marroquin/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Krim;Marina Krim;Victor Cruz

By Dan Metz, Associate Editor

Donors, friends, and “SuperArtists” gathered at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown to celebrate creativity in the first annual Choose Creativity Awards. Five recipients received recognition for creativity in fields ranging from music composition to paleobiology. Winners were judged based on Choose Creativity’s ten principles: being Authentic, Resourceful, Curious, Unconventional, Patient, Expressive, Present, Intuitive, Inventive, and Inspired.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 3: Grimanesa Amoros, Sutan Amrull and Paulina Porizkova attend Choose Creativity Awards at Edison Ballroom on June 3, 2019 in New York. (Photo by Gonzalo Marroquin/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Grimanesa Amoros;Sutan Amrull;Paulina Porizkova

The winners came from diverse fields, part of Choose Creativity’s decision not to focus on set categories. Winners for the night included Sutan Amrull, Aka Raja Gemini, a drag queen and makeup artist; and Aimee Eubanks Davis, CEO of Braven, which supports disadvantaged youth through college and their careers.

The awards are part of The Lulu & Leo Fund a non-profit charity which helps children foster confidence and build resilience through programs centered around the Principles of Creativity. The founders, Kevin & Marina Krim, started the foundation in the wake of the tragic loss of two of their children. They credit their drive for creativity with their ability to heal. Through their program, they hope to create SuperArtists: people who “choose creativity” in every aspect of their life. “Our wish,” they say in a message to the press, “is to inspire families and individuals to use the innate creative energy within them…to bring hope and light to the world around them.”

The Choose Creativity Awards was a new venture for The Lulu & Leo Fund. Since its founding in 2012, it has focused on sharing its Choose Creativity Curriculum. They train leaders and provide supplies for applicants. So far, they have reached 400 teachers and 10,000 children. “Creativity,” Kevin said, “is not a small thing. It’s a very big umbrella that can handle a lot.”

From here, The Krims and Choose Creativity are looking forward. Kevin says that the 60-second video portraits shown for each winner will likely continue. “We think there’s a lot more to be told in terms of the stories of these awardees…we think there’s a real series of mini-documentaries eventually about the backgrounds of these folks.” He also says that he’s looking forward towards next year’s winners. There were nearly 100 nominees this year, and next year will likely have more.

In the end, however, the focus is on children and the continuation of the program. According to Krim, Choose Creativity hopes to continue to expand until their program is in the hands of every kid and every parent and every educator in America. As “Inventive Music” award winner John Zorn said in his acceptance speech, “Children are the future. They’re our future. And they need our support.”

Categories
Events

Cupid Charities’ Executive Director Chad Leathers on Feb. 18’s Cupid’s Undie Run event & more

Every year around Valentine’s Day, Cupid’s Undie Run takes place in dozens of cities around the world. Participants run around a mile outdoors in their underwear all in the name of raising funds for The Children’s Tumor Foundation. Last year’s series of events — as sponsored by Bombas, MeUndies, Fathead and Quicken Loans — brought in over $3.5 million, leading to over $11.5 million being raised over the years.

In advance of New York City’s event — which starts at Stage 48 at 12:00 PM on Feb. 18 — Downtown caught up with Chad Leathers, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Cupid Charities. New York City’s event alone has a fundraising goal of $180,090, of which nearly $50,000 has already been raised. While early registrant fees of $35 are still in effect, New Yorkers John Risner and Sharon Parente will be matching all donations of $50 or more.

For more info on Cupid’s Undie Run, visit www.cupidsundierun.org. The event can also be followed via Twitter and Facebook.

How would you describe the event to someone who hasn’t yet attended?

Chad Leathers: It is truly indescribable. Nothing can prepare you for standing in a public place with nothing on and the temps are somewhere near freezing. It is a rush and very unifying at the same time. In short, it feels like a giant party with a crazy run in the middle of it. You feel like some sort of celebrity when you’re out in the street and people are stopping and honking their horns and waving. It is a show-stopper for sure.

Has the event changed at all since launching?

CL: Not much. It is still driven by the local communities, and as one of our volunteer race directors said, “This is a party that throws itself.”

Have you heard of any people meeting at Cupid’s Undie Run and starting a new relationship?

CL: A LOT. Think of it this way, this event acts as a giant filter for some truly amazing people. You have to be somewhat adventurous and outgoing, you’re rather exposed, and it’s for charity.

Do you have a favorite part of the event?

CL: If you’ve ever seen the original National Lampoon’s Vacation, where Chevy Chase is clapping his hands and saying, “This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy…” That moment happens every year at every event and it is my favorite part every time.

The amount raised from the 2013 event was well over $1 million. What caused that big jump in money raised? Expansion into other cities?

CL: Some incredibly brave, thrill-seeking, do-gooders that wanted to bring Cupid’s to their city. Our expansion has always been organic and driven by those who are excited to do something great AND just this side of legal!

Do you have any goals for the event? Hopes to expand into more cities?

CL: My main goal this year is for our runners and donors to understand the impact they can make on someone else’s life.

Besides Cupid’s Undie Run, what are you currently working on?

CL: A six-pack…but I’ve been unsuccessful for 32 years!

So when not working, how do you like to spend your free time?

CL: Building furniture, watching the Georgia Bulldogs and skiing.

Finally, Chad, any last words for the kids?

CL: The best advice I ever received was “successful people make more opportunities than they find. Something is always broken, or could be done better, it is up to you to think through the problem and find the solution that no one else has.”

Categories
Business Events Health Living

Alex’s Lemonade Days Fundraising Campaign

Alexs Lemonade4
Photo courtesy of Alex’s Lemonade Foundation

The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is named in honor of Alexandra “Alex” Scott who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, before her first birthday. Following a stem cell transplant, Alex decided she wanted to hold a lemonade stand with profits going to doctors to “help other kids, like they helped me.” Alex’s first lemonade stand raised $2,000.

People around the world heard about Alex and her fundraising efforts and began hosting their own charity lemonade stands, as a show of support. The organization has raised over $1 million to date. Alex lost her fight to cancer at age eight, but the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, run by her family and supporters around the world, continues to raise money to battle the disease which took her life.

Alexs Lemonade Stand3
Photo courtesy of Alex’s Lemonade Foundation

Alex’s Lemonade Days, held during the second weekend of June, is a yearly fundraiser for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Participants can help by sharing Lemonade Days information on social media using #LemonadeDays or hosting their very own charity lemonade stands. Lemonade stand participants should register with http://www.LemonadeDays.org by June 5. Participants who register are sent a free fundraising kit, which includes posters, banners, and thank you cards.

The money that is raised during this annual campaign is earmarked for grants to assist cancer researchers in their early careers, advancing the pace of ongoing cancer research, and improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.