Samsung Celebrates Giving Back with a Night of Celebrations across New York City

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Tim Baxter, Victor Cruz, Mark Messier, Rob Thomas, Marisol Thomas, Hunter Hayes, Jon Bon Jovi, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Camila Alves, and Joseph Stinziano attend the Samsung annual charity gala 2017 at Skylight Clarkson Sq on November 2, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Samsung)

On Thursday, Nov. 2nd, Samsung celebrated its commitment to giving back through a series of star-studded events across New York City. Deep in the heart of SoHo, Samsung rolled out the red carpet for its 16th Annual Charity Gala at Skylight Clarkson Square, while just a few blocks away, at Samsung 837, consumers and Samsung employees were invited to a charity fundraiser and treated to an intimate concert. Together, the events raised $3 million for “Samsung Gives,” the Samsung philanthropic platform that supports corporate citizenship and cause marketing initiatives in the areas of education, health and sustainability for today’s youth.

A Night of Stars

The doors on the 16th Annual Charity Gala opened to welcome celebrity guests like Jon Bon Jovi, Hunter Hayes, Goldie Hawn, Flo Rida, and many more who joined the event to represent their individual charities, all supported by Samsung Gives.

The evening opened with a heartfelt video highlighting all the partner charity organizations that have made an impact on children’s lives.

“The people in this room are committed to changing lives,” said Camila Alves McConaughey, co-founder of the Just Keep Livin Foundation. “We celebrate the work you do to make a difference for people in need.” The McConaughey’s Just Keep Livin Foundation has created 32 fitness and wellness programs in public schools across the U.S.

More than 550 guests in attendance also heard from individuals who are committed to helping better the lives of children, including Victor Cruz, representing his foundation, which focuses on giving children more exposure to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; Goldie Hawn, on behalf of her foundation The Hawn Foundation and its signature program “MindUP;” Evelyn Iocolano for the Lollipop Theater Network; representatives of Habitat for Humanity, Angela Cox, development director of Houston Habitat for Humanity, and Jacey Raimondo, executive director of Bergen County Habitat for Humanity in New Jersey, among others.

President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America Tim Baxter speaks onstage during the Samsung annual Charity Gala 2017 at Skylight Clarkson Sq on November 2, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Samsung)

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be standing on this stage, once again celebrating with our charity partners and renewing our commitment to giving back,” said Tim Baxter, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America. “Tonight is about helping people build brighter futures.”

“Since our first gala in 2001 we have hit another big milestone: With this $3 million dollars through all of our charitable efforts, we have surpassed the $60 million dollar level . We can’t be more thrilled,” Baxter exclaimed.

Jon Bon Jovi, a long-time partner of Samsung, brought the house to its feet when he kicked off an iconic performance filled with a set of classic songs. Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul foundation received some of its original seed money from Samsung when it was started in 2003 as the Philadelphia Soul Foundation.

Keeping the electricity in the room at an all-time high, emerging country music star Hunter Hayes performed his hit songs “I Want Crazy,” and “Wanted.” Hayes joined the Samsung Gala on behalf of the CMA Foundation, which he has partnered with to further music education for youth. Guests were then ushered in to the ultimate nightcap experience — an after party featuring a nearly hour-long performance by Flo Rida, representing his foundation, Big Dreams for Kids.

“Being able to bring together so many of our charity partners under one roof, for one evening each year, with the support of other businesses and celebrity guests makes for a meaningful and memorable celebration of the values everyone at Samsung shares,” said Ann Woo, senior director of Corporate Citizenship for Samsung Electronics America. “The level of awareness raised for all of our charity partners ensures that giving back doesn’t just happen one day of the year, but is sustained year-round, inspiring hope for a brighter future to all those in need.”

Just a few blocks north of the Gala, more than 350 consumers and Samsung employees came together at Samsung 837 to celebrate giving back. Pop icons Rita Ora and Charli XCX treated guests to incredible performances, while a silent auction ran on the Samsung Charity Gala 2017 website. Guests were also encouraged to give back through on site donation opportunities via Galaxy S Tab 3 stands.

All proceeds from the Samsung Annual Charity Gala and the Samsung 837 event go to Samsung Gives charity partners. To learn more about the Samsung Gives platform, please visit samsung.com/us/samsunghopeforchildren/.