Ridgefield Park, NJ – June 12, 2013 ? Samsung celebrated its annual star-studded Hope for Children Gala on June 11 featuring celebrity guests Tony Bennett, John Legend and Rob Thomas. The event, held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, honored Samsung’s guests and partners who have helped to improve children’s lives across the U.S. With more than 700 guests in attendance, the event raised $1.5 million to benefit children’s health, education and sustainability programs. Additional celebrity partners at the gala included Chelsea Clinton, Drew Brees, Jimmie Johnson, Boomer Esiason, Robin Thicke, Estelle and host Sherri Shepherd.

Samsung Hope for Children, the company’s global corporate social responsibility platform, brings together the company, its retail partners, and a network of charitable organizations associated with renowned public figures. Over the course of its 12-year history, Samsung Hope for Children has raised more than $30 million through the gala that has helped more than 500 schools, hospitals, and community-based foundations throughout the U.S. One hundred percent of the gala proceeds and additional funds raised by Samsung throughout the year under its Hope for Children platform go directly to the charities.

“As the world’s leading technology company, Samsung recognizes the roles technology and innovation play in making the future a brighter place for our children,” said Y.K. Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America. “Our goal is to help children gain better health and education and empower them to protect the planet on which they live.”

The New York City gala featured special performances by Matchbox Twenty, Robin Thicke and Estelle. Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America, presented the Samsung Hope for Children Ambassador Award to John Legend for his work with the Show Me Campaign. Former President Bill Clinton joined his daughter, Chelsea, via video to present Tony Bennett with the Samsung Hope for Children Lifetime Ambassador Award for his work with Exploring the Arts, a nonprofit organization founded by Bennett and his wife, Susan Benedetto.

SAMSUNG CELEBRITY PARTNER QUOTES:
Samsung Hope for Children works with the following celebrities to raise awareness and provide support to the following children’s organizations:

Chelsea Clinton, The Clinton Foundation
“I am thrilled by Samsung’s focus on STEM education, an issue that we at The Clinton Foundation know is crucial to our mission of improving global health, improving kids health here in the U.S., strengthening economies and protecting the environment. Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program inspires all children, especially young girls, to explore careers in STEM fields that will make the world a healthier, stronger and better place for future generations.”

Tony Bennett, Exploring the Arts
“I am honored to accept the Samsung Hope for Children Ambassador Award this year. Enriching children’s lives is what my wife, Susan, and I sought to do when we founded our nonprofit, Exploring the Arts. Our organization has been helping to improve arts education in New York City public high schools since 1999, and most recently in Los Angeles public high schools as well. We commend Samsung’s efforts to improve the lives of children everywhere.”

Rob and Marisol Thomas, Sidewalk Angels Foundation
“Sidewalk Angels Foundation, our nonprofit, provides critically needed funds to grassroots organizations that support numerous causes, including animal rescue and advocacy and childhood health and wellness. We are excited to be connected to Samsung’s Hope for Children, a program that has done great things to improve children’s health and well-being.”

John Legend, The Show Me Campaign
“I’ve been working with Samsung’s Hope for Children program for the past 3 years, and it’s great to see the program grow each year. I founded the Show Me Campaign in 2007 to break the cycle of poverty through education. Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program continues to amaze me with its efforts to strengthen STEM education for kids across the country.”

Drew Brees, The Brees Dream Foundation
“We’re excited to be a part of Samsung’s Hope for Children gala for another year. The Brees Dream Foundation has committed over $18M dollars to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. We recently committed $1M to Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts and Samsung’s support allows us to further those efforts.”

Jimmie Johnson, The Jimmie Johnson Foundation
“Samsung’s Hope for Children program has been a big supporter of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation since 2009. Our foundation helps children, families and communities in need with our major focus on public education. A big part of that has been Samsung’s sponsorship of our Team Up for Technology program, which awards technology makeovers to deserving public schools.”

Boomer Esiason, The Boomer Esiason Foundation
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