charity: water 10th Anniversary charity: ball

Over the last 10 years, charity: water has redefined thetypical fundraising gala through its signature event, charity: ball. They constantlyutilize new technologies to bring their work to life and inspire guests to give,which has resulted in bringing clean water to hundreds of thousands of peopleover the years. In line with the organization’s model, 100% of every dollarraised at the gala goes straight to the field to bring more people clean water. The 2015 charity: ball was no different.

charity: water hosted its first ever black-tie, sit-downdinner at the legendary Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Uponarrival, guests mingled in the Great Hall amongst charity: water’s hallmarkbeautiful photographs from the field in Ethiopia. Following cocktail hour,everyone made their way through the Egyptian galleries to dinner at The Templeof Dendur in The Sackler Wing. A stunning backdrop, thanks to lighting fromFrost Lighting and décor by Van Vliet and Trap.

Taking advantage of the seated dinner format, charity: waterfocused its energy on a brief and impactful stage program. Scott Harrison, theorganization’s Founder and CEO, welcomed everyone to the 10th anniversary event with an overview of the evening to come, preparing guestsfor a special experience. Pushing the boundaries once again, charity: waterpresented the largest simultaneous Virtual Reality viewing of a special filmthey produced about a girl from Ethiopia named Salem, thanks to support fromsponsors Verizon and Samsung. The 8-minute video brought you directly into thefield where you experienced firsthand the struggle of life with dirty water andthe difference one well makes for a whole community.

Following the viewing, professional auctioneers from Christie’stook the stage to lead another new iteration of charity: water’s unique liveauction. Similar to years past, guests were invited to pledge donations byswiping their RFID bracelets programmed and provided by Connect&Go. Asalways, the auction didn’t consist of expensive prizes or elaborate trips, butsimply the opportunity to bring communities across the globe life’s mostbasic need—clean water. Whereas in years past it was an individual experience,this year the auction fostered a communal concept where individual pledges combinedto create their tables’ cumulative amount, creating a bidding competitionamongst the tables. Real-time graphics were projected on the wall of the museumthanks to our partner L&M, tracking the donations visually. As certain fundraisinglevels were reached, guests were treated to surprise champagne toasts. Celebratingthe $2.4 million raised and 243 villages that will receive clean water, theevening culminated in a special guest performance by Zach Williams, front manfor the Lone Bellow.

Overall, CBX was one for the books and we’re honored tocontinue to partner with charity: water and help make whatever difference wecan.

To learn more about their work or to get involved pleasevisit http://www.charitywater.org/

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