The city of Deauville, a horse capital of Europe, welcomed the very first edition of JustWorld International’s European Gala on August 11th. More than 250 guests took part in the fundraising event to support ground-breaking programs for underserved children in Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia.
Thanks to key sponsors, entry fees, donations and bids on the live and silent auctions, the tally by the end of the night had reached 106,320 euros. Jessica Newman, a former international show jumping competitor who founded JustWorld International in 2003, was overwhelmed by the positive response, “To see the turn out and the generosity of people is just incredible; we doubled what we hoped to make tonight.”
JustWorld Ambassador Kevin Staut has long supported the organization, but said his commitment reached a new level after he visited two of the projects (in Cambodia and Guatemala) and witnessed firsthand the scope of the programs as well as their impact on the lives of the children. As a guest of honor at the Gala, he rejoiced to see how JustWorld was able to join passionate people from different spectrums of the horse world. Stepping out of his comfort zone, the international show-jumper took a brief class with equestrian entertainer Pierre Fleury and later performed in the opening act of Pierre’s Show.
Actress Marina Hands was the second guest of honor at the Gala. She took a break from filming last year to visit the children at Los Patojos in Guatemala. Marina says she was revitalized and inspired by how resourceful the project leaders were in the most complex environment. “If they can find solutions there, we no longer have excuses.”
“This gala gives everyone in the horse world a chance to get involved,” added the French quadruple champion jockey and new Ambassador Dominique Boeuf. “We are extremely fortunate and these kids need us.”
Also in attendance were Arc winning trainer Nicolas Clément and jockey Ronan Thomas, representatives of key racing stables and breeding operations; Jean-Edouard Mazery and his team at the Deauville International Racing Polo Club; Swedish show jumping rising star and JustWorld Ambassador Alexander Zetterman; and some of the very first Ambassadors for the organization such as Denyse Baillet and Hervé Godignon. After a successful and generous bid, Hervé Godignon remembered how he jumped at the chance to make a difference many years ago, announcing, “Jessica’s involvement gave me a great slap in the face back then and the will to contribute.”
Over the past 12 years, more than 500 Ambassadors from 42 different countries have helped JustWorld International raise more than 8 million dollars, giving a leg up to thousands of children for a better future, a strong incentive to keep going and extend the successful model.
When approached about replicating the American gala JustWorld holds annually in Florida, significant leaders in the industry became personally involved. Juan-Carlos Capelli, vice-president of Longines, Thierry Delègue, executive director of France Galop, Eric Brion, executive director of the channel Equidia, Christophe Ameeuw, executive director of EEM, Laurent Martinez, director of Agence Martinez, as well as the Mayor of Deauville, Phillipe Augier, all wanted to do their part to help.
100 percent of the staff who put together the inaugural European Gala were volunteers! The iconic Brok Café held the official after party, donating 20% of its sales for that night. The following day, the Deauville International Polo Club donated all of the entries for its season opening match (1,000 euros!) to JustWorld.
“I am beyond ecstatic with the success of our inaugural European JustWorld event!” concluded Jessica Newman. “Everyone was so generous, had a good time and we got to see some fierce bidding in both the live and silent auctions. Our Ambassadors showed their amazing dedication and support with their presence and emotional testimonies. So many people, including all of our fantastic, dedicated volunteers, came together for the cause. It was a really magical night and I can’t wait for the second edition!”
About JustWorld International
JustWorld International is devoted to breaking the cycle of poverty by funding local partners around the world helping children thrive.
JustWorld International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and a registered Association 1901 in France. Tax-deductible donations are accepted in Switzerland and JustWorld’s supporters may send their donations to Fondation Philanthropia, a Swiss public-benefit umbrella foundation.
JustWorld International has no political or religious affiliation.
www.justworldinternational.org
Source: Press release
