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Contact: Deborah A.Teschke
Manager, Media Relations & Communications
847-692-0110
In the Most Challenging of Times, Houseares Charity Foundation Raises Record, More Than $2.3 Million at the 2009 Gala
ROSEMONT, ILL (June 2, 2009)—Even in the most challenging of economic times, the housewares industry’s charitable spirit resonated loudly as the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) raised a record more than $2.3 million at its 12th Annual Gala in March during the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show. The evening, which offered a unique dining concept featuring celebrity chefs, also set a record attendance with 1,100 people attending the gala, which honored two retail champions for their philanthropy and leadership in the housewares industry. Honored were Tim Adams, chairman & chief executive officer, Macy’s Home Store, with the HCF’s Lifetime Humanitarian Award, and Lyn Kirby, president & CEO, Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc., with the Creativity Leadership Award.
Along with silent and live auctions, the evening featured a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience through a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Six celebrity chefs prepared the food served, from the cocktail reception hosted by Grant Achatz of Alinea to the finishing dessert by Art Smith of Table fifty-two. For the dinner, the ballroom was broken into quadrants and each section was served an appetizer and specialty entrée prepared by a different chef: Rick & Deann Bayless of Frontera Grill, Paul Kahan of Blackbird, Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia or Bruce Sherman of North Pond.
Proceeds from the event benefited The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, with a donation of $1.8 million. Since the first Gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $17 million and has contributed more than $8 million to BCRF. Helping to solicit bidders for the auctions were Evelyn H. Lauder, founder and chairman of BRCF and senior corporate vice president of The Estee Lauder companies, and her husband, Leonard Lauder. Among the luxuries attendees bid on were:
- A week’s voyage for two on the first resort community at sea—The World;
- Four passes to the grand opening of Thomas Keller’s new location in Beverly Hills—Le Bouchon;
- Private dinner parties hosted by James Beard award-winning chefs;
- A golf date with Macy’s top executive;
- A private consultation with Ulta’s top executive; and
- One week in Paradise—a private residence in Hualalai Resort, with access to the Four Seasons amenities.
The 2010 gala will be held Monday, March 15 in Chicago. For more information about the Housewares Charity Foundation, its honorees and its charities, please visit www.housewarescharity.org or contact Paul Murphy at 508.272.0717 or pimurphy11@gmail.com
