FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Paul Murphy
508.272.0717
pimurphy11@gmail.com

Housewares Charity Foundation Raises $2.2 Million For Second Consecutive Year
Lifetime Humanitarian Honoree Mike George of QVC® Raises a Record $1Million Toward Total

ROSEMONT, ILL (April 29, 2010)—For the second year, the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) raised more than $2.2 million at its 13th Annual Gala March 15 at the Hilton Chicago during the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show. Mike George, president and CEO of QVC, Inc., who was honored with the 2010 Lifetime Humanitarian Award, helped achieve that total by raising a record $1 million, the largest fundraising by one company in the history of the HCF.

The evening, which offered a unique dining concept featuring celebrity chefs, honored George for his philanthropy and leadership in the housewares industry. The Gala also included a special tribute to Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon of Libbey Inc., who passed away in February after a long battle with breast cancer.

Along with silent and live auctions, the evening again featured a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience through a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Six James Beard Award-winning chefs prepared their signature specialties for their own section of the ballroom: Paul Bartolotta, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn Las Vegas; David Burke, David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago and Townhouse in New York; Carrie Nahabedian, NAHA Restaurant, Chicago; Art Smith, TLC Comfort Food and Art and Soul, Washington, D.C.; Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter’s, Chicago; and Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger, Wellesley, Mass.

Proceeds from the event benefited The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity. Since the first Gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $19 million and has contributed more than $9 million to BCRF. A portion of the proceeds this year also benefited the HCF Haiti Relief Fund, to assist in the most needed areas for the island’s recovery efforts. Helping to solicit bidders for the auctions was Evelyn H. Lauder, founder and chairman of BRCF and senior corporate vice president of The Estee Lauder companies. Among the luxuries guests bid on were:

  • Trips to Provence, France, during the grape harvest; Vail, Colo., Hawaii and New York City;
  • Private dinner parties hosted by QVC’s Mike George; and
  • Extraordinary culinary experiences at several of the celebrity chefs’ fine dining establishments, including a unique behind-the-scenes opportunity.

The 2011 gala will be held Monday evening, March 7 at the Hilton 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.