PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, RUSSELL SIMMONS, ICE-T, COLDPLAY, DEEPAK CHOPRA, LARRY JOHNSON, ROBIN THICKE, VICTORIA'S SECRET AND MORE JOIN FORCES TO HELP BENEFIT THE CREATIVE EXPRESSION OF NYC YOUTH
New York, NY - June 29th, 2009 - Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation's famed ART FOR LIFE East Hampton annual benefit gala in conjunction with Charity Buzz, the online auction experts, who work with non-profits founded by various big names including Elton John, Bette Midler, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy and Andre Agassi have already gathered together some of today's top celebrities and brands to donate specialty items for this online benefit event. For the seventh year, Luxury Auction Chair, Tybie Etoy Dotson is also at the helm of all the ART FOR LIFE auction excitement.
Over 75 items and packages will be up for auction. We are honored to be able to offer a once in a lifetime opportunity. Former President Bill Clinton will be hosted at an intimate, private dinner for 35 guests by music mogul and philanthropist Russell Simmons at Simmons' New York City residence on July 20. An extraordinary vegan dinner will be prepared by world famous chef Tom Colicchio, head judge on Bravo TV's Top Chef, and founder of NYC's famed Craft restaurants. This will be a transcendent evening that money ordinarily cannot buy, but for charity purposes it is being generously offered. Please note this extraordinary lot will close early on Saturday, July 18th to be included in live bidding at the East Hampton event. Please see www.charitybuzz.com for additional information on bidding.
Rush Philanthropic Co-Founder, Russell Simmons, is offering to host one lucky winning bidder an exclusive children's chocolate party at Charbonnel et Walker Café at Saks Fifth Avenue. Also up for grabs is a behind-the-scenes look at NBC's hit drama, Law & Order: SVU with Ice-T. Victoria's Secret is also back with their very popular package that would be any man's fantasy, tickets to the impossible to get into Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Shepard Fairey has once again donated a beautiful original work of art to this year's auction entitled Close Knit, 2009, which was especially painted for this event. Other hot packages include an invitation to Secret Room Events' 2009 Emmy Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge; tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, VIP tickets with backstage meet & greet passes to see Robin Thicke, Fall Out Boy, or Third Eye Blind; a chance to meet The Kansas City Chiefs' Larry Johnson; lunch at The Friar's Club with Real Housewives of New York's Jill Zarin; meet Deepak Chopra at The Chopra Center; and exclusive getaways to the Caribbean, The West Indies, Mexico, Grenada, Crete, Miami, New York, and many, many more.
The ART FOR LIFE online auction is live now through July 28th, 2009. Bidders can click www.charitybuzz.com/artforlife for a chance to take home these hot items and special celebrity experiences.
Whether it's an exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue Swag basket full of products, jewelry by Empowerment Mineral Designs or tickets to see Coldplay in Saratoga, NY, this on-line auction will be almost as exciting as being at the ART FOR LIFE gala itself!
ABOUT RUSH PHILANTHROPIC ARTS FOUNDATION
Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing underserved urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, and to offering exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists and artists of color. Rush was founded in 1995 by three brothers: Danny Simmons, visual artist and community builder; media mogul Russell Simmons; and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC. Their goal was to fill the gap that poor and minorities face in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities. Over the past 14 years, Rush has developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to addressing these issues. In addition to the 2,000 students served each year in its education programs, Rush exhibits the work of 40 to 50 emerging and community-based artists in its galleries; welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors; distributes grants to nonprofit arts organizations in NYC and South Florida; and provides unique opportunities for young people interested in careers in the arts. Rush currently operates galleries and arts education programs in Chelsea (Manhattan) on West 26th Street and Clinton Hill (Brooklyn) on Grand Avenue. Rush Education Programs are designed to inspire students, provide positive alternatives to high-risk behaviors, and support increased academic performance. Your support of ART FOR LIFE East Hampton makes this programming possible.
