INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE (IRC)

 

RESCUE DINNER

(formerly named Freedom Award Dinner)

International Rescue Committee (IRC) – GenR Summer Party
Annual series of innovative fundraising events created to heighten awareness and secure funds for the IRC’s mission.  The events are tailored for various audiences and are hosted by President and CEO David Miliband (formerly a Foreign Secretary for Great Britain) and include an awards presentation, multiple staging event and musical performances. Keynote speakers include Heads of State and other renowned persons that include former President Bill Clinton, performance artist Sting and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. For over 20 years the event was held at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. C. Madden Productions managed the site selection when the Waldorf closed, moving the event with great success to the New York Midtown Hilton.

 

Attendance: 950 for Rescue Dinner
Annual funds raised for Rescue Dinner:  over $2,500,000
 

GENR SUMMER PARTY

GenR (Generation Rescue) is an initiative comprised of dynamic young professionals who directly engage their communities through advocacy and fundraising endeavors. The GenR Summer Party is held at a hip Soho venue and has multiple activities to participate in throughout the evening. 

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C. Madden Productions also solicited product and financial sponsorships (in particular liquor) for GenR.

Attendance: 400 for GenR events (25-40 year old supporters)

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR STUTTERING (AIS) – FREEING VOICES CHANGING LIVES AWARD

Annual event designed by C. Madden to raise awareness on stuttering disorders and solicit funds for the American Institute for Stuttering.  The evening is hosted by award-winning actress Emily Blunt. Awards are presented to individuals who have excelled in their chosen careers without allowing their stuttering to hold them back. Awards have been presented to young global award-winning musician Ed Sheeran, actor Bruce Willis and Home Depot Co-Founder Arthur Blank.  President Joseph Biden, a stutterer, has been a keynote speaker on three occasions. The event generates enormous press coverage weeks in advance and allows the Institute to place a well-deserved spotlight on the stuttering community. The Benefit includes an awards presentation, a Live Auction for Speech Therapy Scholarships, a public relations campaign and musical performances.

 

Capacity attendance: 450

Location: New York City
Annual funds raised:  over $800,000

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BELLEVUE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

 

PROJECT HEALTHCARE

Reception format event to celebrate the first class Emergency Room Department. Hosted by Ken Langone, Chair NYU Langone Health. Funds raised supplement Project Healthcare which brings college students considering a career in medicine to work with patients in Bellevue’s Emergency Department.

 

Attendance: 200
Location: Bellevue Hospital Rotunda

Funds raised: $280,000

 

ATRIUM OPENING

Awards ceremony celebrating the architectural addition to the over 100 year old Bellevue Hospital Center -the oldest public hospital in the country. The gala dinner was held in the new atrium of the hospital.

 

Attendance: 500
Location: New York City

Funds raised: $800,000

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BROOKLYN TECH ALUMNI FOUNDATION –

TITANS OF TECH

Developed and launched inaugural event to create funding for the nation’s largest and pre-eminent school for STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “Tech” has an active and dedicated alumni, matching university alumni of Ivy League schools. Many items in our daily lives were created by Tech alumni – EZ Pass, potable hair dryers, the Chipwich Ice Cream Sandwich, Digital Cameras and Barnes and Noble. The event has elevated awareness of Tech and its education program. Due to the camaraderie and enthusiasm generated by the event, many alumni, corporations and foundations made significantly large financial commitments to the Tech Alumni Foundation and directly allocated their funds for specific projects (e.g. an aeronautic simulator). Total contributions more than tripled proceeds raised from the Dinner.

 

Attendance: 700

Location: Chelsea Piers
Annual funds raised from each Event:  over $800,000

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QUEEN SOFÍA SPANISH INSTITUTE –

 

SOFÍA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Developed and implemented first event of the organization’s revamping since the passing of Chairman Oscar de la Renta. Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain presided over the presentations at the luncheon and launched new initiatives in education, literature and culture.

 

Attendance: 250
Location: Metropolitan Club, New York City
 

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS GALA

Developed and managed this annual fundraising event, held in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain.  Exemplary individuals in the fields of Business, Sports, Fashion, Medicine and the Arts were recognized for their personal contributions in promoting the cultural connection existing between Spain and Ibero-America.  Past Honorees include former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Spanish actors Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem.  This event was always one of the highlights of the New York City society circuit and the organization was chaired by the late famed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, a dedicated and inspirational leader.

 

Attendance: 400
Funds raised annually: exceeded $900,000
Location: New York City

 

Note:  Following Mr. de la Renta’s passing, the Annual Gala has been suspended by the Institute’s Board of Directors.

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IRC 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA

A celebration was held at the historic Freedom Tower and paid tribute to the Cuban refugees who have made extraordinary contributions to their new communities in the United States.  A Lounge reception included presentations by the Governor of Florida and other prominent individuals with a musical performance by Latin Jazz musician Paquito D’Rivera. 

 

Attendance 300

Year 2009

 Location: Freedom Tower, Miami

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STUDENT RESCUE – NYC

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Students rebuilding Liberia and benefitting the IRC Fundraising event hosted by three young people (17 years of age) to benefit the students and people of Karnplay, Liberia.  The NYC students were inspired to unite their efforts after participating in an IRC-sponsored trip to Liberia.  This event was for young people and adults and included a video presentation and live auction with star entertainment.

 

Attendance 300

Location: Butter Restaurant, New York City

Funds raised: exceeded $400,000

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VOLVO OCEAN RACE NEW YORK - GALA EVENTS - BENEFITTING WORLD CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION

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Luncheon Spectator Cruise followed by a formal Gala. Fundraising project spearheaded by Volvo Corporation and Volvo Cars to benefit the World Childhood Foundation in conjunction with the New York start of the 7th leg of the Volvo Ocean Yacht Race. Hosted and attended by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. There were two events in one day with international dignitaries and guests. Since attendance and fundraising exceeded initial expectations the venue had to be moved. Entertainment for the Gala included a musical revue of

 

Broadway shows. Attendance: 650

Locations: World Yachts for Luncheon and the World Financial Center Winter Garden for the Gala

Funds raised exceeded $1 million

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WORLD CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION

 

GALAS

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden heads this bi-yearly event for the global organization that she founded and oversees.  The Gala is held in the presence of Her Majesty.  

 

Attendance: 300

Location: Metropolitan Club, New York City

Funds raised: exceeded $700,000

 

INAUGURAL GALA

The event was to introduce Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden to the U.S. community and launch her global organization with a focus on improving the living conditions and situations of abused and exploited children.  The event (which was in its final planning stages in September 2011) was postponed because it was scheduled too close to the aftermath of 9/11 and Their Majesties were unable to travel.  The Gala was successfully rescheduled in 2002. 

 

Attendance: 300

Location: Metropolitan Club, New York City

Funds raised exceeded $500,000

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NORTHSIDE CENTER FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT 

 

60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Fundraising dinner and awards presentation led by former President Bill Clinton and honoring Camille Cosby and musician Wynton Marsalis with a featured performance by Grammy winner John Legend. Developed and managed all aspects of the entire project, including the Co-Chair fundraising efforts.

 

Attendance: 730

Location: Marriott Marquis Ballroom

Funds raised: exceeded $1.7 million

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AWARDS GALAS

Annual gala/fundraiser that includes the presentation of the Hammond and Mamie Awards.   Past awards recipients included Reuben and Arlene Mark (Colgate-Palmolive Company); Clive Davis (J-Records); Neil Friedman (Fisher Price Brands) and acclaimed Soprano Jessye Norman.  Former President Bill Clinton led the 2003 award presentation with Michael Dolan (Viacom) and Michael Strahan (New York Giants) as award recipients.  The 2004 Gala honored former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis and there was a special ceremony for the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.  The 2005 award recipients were Marva Smalls (Nickeloden) and Nile Rodgers, Songwriter and Musician.  The Galas include a Live Auction.  

 

Average attendance: 350

Location: Marriott Marquis Ballroom

Funds raised exceeded $750,000

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SCANDINAVIA HOUSE: THE NORDIC CENTER IN AMERICA – OFFICIAL DEDICATION

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The opening of a new building on Park Avenue in New York City that had all Scandinavian Heads of State in attendance.  Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden led the delegation.  

Private event and gallery viewing for 150 people followed by an outdoor celebration for 2000 people.

 

Gala for 1000 guests.

Funds raised exceeded $1.2 million

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THE AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN FOUNDATION – ANNUAL GALAS

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An annual Gala Dinner and fundraiser with Guests of Honor that included Scandinavian Heads of State and Royal Representatives as follows:  Their Majesties King Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden; Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark; Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway; President of Iceland; President of Finland.

 

Average Attendance: 450

Locations: New York City 

Funds raised $500,000 – $800,000