Charity Auction to Sell James Bond Memorabilia

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , , , , , ,

According to Christie’s auctioneers, the most coveted attraction at an upcoming charity auction is the Aston Martin V12 DBS coupe used in the ‘Quantum of Solace’ James Bond film.

The invite-only auction, which will take place on October 5th, will benefit a British children’s charity called Barnardo’s amongst others. The 2008 Aston Martin is expected to sell for at least $160,000. Several other ‘Quantum of Solace’ items will also be available, including a pair of sunglasses worn by Daniel Craig in the movie, special editions of the Bond books by Ian Fleming, an Omega ‘Planet Ocean’ watch from ‘Skyfall’ and a blue swimsuit worn by Craig in ‘Casino Royale.’

Numerous items were donated by EON Productions, as well as Timothy Dalton, Aston Martin and Ian Fleming’s family. Another auction will be held online from September 28th through October 8th, according to Christie’s. Proceeds will support UNICEF.

Additional items from the online auction include a silk dress worn by Halle Berry in ‘Die Another Die’, a clapperboard and director’s chair from ‘Golden Eye’, a belt worn by Christopher Lee in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ and many others.

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Donates $1.2 Million to 11 Children’s Charities

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The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation recently donated its largest sum to 11 children’s charities, and revealed that it hopes to add three more organizations to its recipient list next year.

The $1.2 million donation was given to charities in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The foundation’s president, Mr. John Russell, said:

“This is the first time that we have given over a million dollars. We have increased revenue every year since the inception of the Wine Auction in 2006. As a result, we have been able to generate increased recognition and participation.

The overriding mission of our organization is to enhance the lives of the children in our community. As our giving capacity continues to grow, we are able to provide increased assistance. Our participants are very connected to the organizations we help. All of the funds we donate stay right here on the Emerald Coast.”

One of the benefitting charities is Children in Crisis. President and CEO Ken Hair explained: “Children in Crisis has been a recipient of the Foundation’s generosity for six years. The Destin Wine Auction Foundation’s gifts to us total almost $1 million and have helped us to provide assistance to hundreds of kids in need. The Foundation has been a wonderful community partner to a lot of the local children’s organizations.”

This year’s charities include Children in Crisis, Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Volunteer Network, Youth Village, Shelter House, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Pathways for Change, Horizons, Emerald Coast Autism Center and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast.

Next year’s three new charities are: the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Food for Thought, and Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity, Inc.

Russel said:

“We are very optimistic that we can sustain the momentum generated this year into 2013. The reputation of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation continues to grow. We are attracting top tier vintners and chefs to our events and our auction attendees look forward to the ability to secure rare and unusual wines. But the cornerstone of our organization and the reason we exist is to enhance the lives of our children in our local communities. That is our mission; that is our goal.”

Getting Glasses to Kids

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By M. MarksPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , , ,

 

The Specsavers Opticas chain recently announced that their Javea and Calpe stores will be supporting various different charitable endeavors in 2012, including Caritas, EMAUS and The Lions Club. 

The Lions Club

It will be able to help those who cannot afford glasses by collecting second-hand glasses for The Lions Club.  As it is, these branches of Specsavers Opticas already offers people the opportunity to drop off second hand glasses. But this new campaign will be encouraging more people to join this so that second-hand glasses in good condition don’t go to waste.

Caritas

Caritas supports needy families and individuals around the world who don’t have access to life’s basics like food, clothing and shelter.  One recent example of its work was when it was asked to help a boy who needed glasses so badly, he couldn’t even perform well at school.  So it made contact with Specsavers Javea which was pleased to provide assistance to the boy without charging the family a dime. 

EMAUS

Specsavers Opticas has also been supporting EMAUS Children’s Home in Altea by giving the kids living there who need them, glasses. Again, like its work at Caritas, it enables poor-sighted children who live there to be able to live a higher quality of life by significantly improving their sight with the use of glasses, something people without poverty issues don’t even think about.

The Valerie Fund

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, Childrens CharitiesTagged: , ,

When nine-year old Valerie Goldstein passed away after a battle against cancer, her parents Ed and Sue didn’t want her death to be forgotten.  They thus established the Valerie Fund, back in 1976, in her memory.  The fund’s aim is to “provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.”

Thirty-five years after its founding, there are today, seven Valerie Fund Children’s Centers for Cancer and Blood Disorders located in tri-state hospitals which offer comprehensive health care to over five thousand children and their families every single year.  This makes up the biggest network of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders throughout New Jersey, making it one of the largest in the country, with more than 25,000 patient visits annually.

The Valerie Fund seeks to treat the “whole patient” and the “whole family.”  This means that it focuses not just on the physical needs of the individual, but also their emotional needs.  And since cancer impacts the entire family as well, the Valerie Fund notes that and provides support and counseling for siblings and parents as well.

Serving Our World

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By JohnPosted In: Childrens CharitiesTagged: , ,

Serving Our World is a vital non-profit organization that seeks to place the far too many young girls and boys in loving, safe, protected homes.  These children have been horrifically exploited in some way or another; from exploitation to rape, and even being trafficked.

Making a donation to Serving Our World will actually “change the course of their lives; help us rescue more children today before it’s too late.”  For example, in Thailand, the statistics show a child is lost to some kind of horror every four minutes.  Long-term goals of the organization is to “build long-term community benefits for the people in East Timor and Thailand.”  It has over 18 years’ experience in this field so it can “bring relief to the families where it is needed most.”

Serving Our World is now asking volunteers to support its efforts by joining the Serving Our World family The Good Life Home.  This is a “haven…where children can be safe to play, with grounds enough for them to be a kid and play with friends.”  All donations will make a huge difference.  Remember:  these children are worth it and deserve a chance at a normal, happy, healthy life.