NEW YORK – Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, an innovative goodwill program, made noise at New York City’s Tavern on the Green as it held its fifth annual celebrity gala to benefit children and families in need. This year’s event welcomed former NFL quarterback, Dan Marino and his charity, The Dan Marino Foundation, an organization that provides integrated treatment programs for children with autism, as the newest member to the program. Led by Emcee Bob Costas, the program also recognized the ongoing charitable efforts of sports, entertainment and political notables, including Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Joe Torre, Boomer Esiason, Arnold Palmer, Rudy Guliani and music superstar Jon Bon Jovi. Country music’s reigning couple, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, gave a special live performance to raise money for their newly established charity, Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation, created to assist individuals affected by a natural disaster or social status, especially those still suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.
The sold-out event featured a star-studded roster of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment and politics, and included a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other exciting items that will help raise funds for all of the participating foundations and charities.
Launched in 2002 by Samsung Electronics America, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is an innovative goodwill program dedicated to raising awareness and funds through national retail promotions with Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears and CompUSA. The retailers have encouraged their customers to donate to the program through sales promotions and sweepstakes. To date, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program has raised more than $7 million for charity and won recognition for its achievements.
“Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is proud to begin its fifth year on such a positive note welcoming our newest inductee Dan Marino and raising nearly $1 million for the programs charities,” stated Peter Weedfald, senior vice president, sales and marketing, consumer electronics, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., “It is especially exciting and encouraging to see all of our partner corporations and superstars coming together to benefit children and families. Samsung looks forward to being able to support these charitable efforts for years to come.”
"It my pleasure to join Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope program," said Dan Marino. "The need for comprehensive and integrated treatment programs for children with autism is a quest that greatly inspired our foundation’s mission. I look forward to the successes The Dan Marino Foundation can achieve with Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope to help make a difference in children's lives."
About Samsung Four Seasons of Hope charities:
- The Dan Marino Foundation. The Dan Marino Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides integrated treatment programs, outreach services and research of chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities in children.
- Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation. Created in 2002 to bring educational programs into schools and develop community awareness surrounding the issue of domestic violence.
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. Located in Orlando, FL, the hospital offers comprehensive healthcare services for children and women as well as nationally acclaimed specialty programs including the Congenital Heart Institute, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the third largest Labor & Delivery department in the nation and the region’s only Level I trauma center.
- Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Created by Boomer Esiason and his wife in 1993 after their son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, the foundation works to raise money to find a cure for the genetic disease. To date, more than $35 million has been raised for the cause.
- The Magic Johnson Foundation. Founded by Magic Johnson following his retirement from the NBA in 1991, the foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for people residing in urban communities.
- Jon Bon Jovi’s Charities of Philadelphia. Jon Bon Jovi’s charities include: action aids, Pennsylvania’s largest AIDS service organization, 2nd Floor, a free telephone helpline for troubled children and teens, Inn Dwelling, a charity focused on homeless families, and the youth programs of the Police Athletic League (PAL).
- St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers. Rudy Giuliani’s charitable efforts for St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers, one of the NY metropolitan area’s most comprehensive health care systems, serving 600,000 people annually. The system includes nursing homes, hospice, substance abuse clinics and EMS services across the city.
- The Wayne Gretzky Foundation. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation is dedicated to helping young people exercise and develop positive life skills through ice hockey.
For more information about Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, please visit our Web site at www.fourseasonsofhope.com.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and home appliance products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 90 offices in 51 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com
