Urban Zen’s Hope, Help and Rebuild Haiti was the beneficiary for this year’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on June 5th. This event, at Governors Island, was hosted by Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Marc Jacobs, and our founder Donna Karan. Hugh Jackman was the Master of Ceremonies for this spectacular, extravagant affair where New Yorkers came to bask in the sun, sip champagne, watch polo and peruse the Urban Zen retail wares crafted by Haitian artisans.
The Urban Zen tent was visited throughout the day by guests who were excited to support Haitian artisans by purchasing handcrafted Haitian bracelets, necklaces, and T-shirts. As a beneficiary, Urban Zen Foundation will be able to use the proceeds raised to support the Apparent Project, Project MediShare, St. Damiens, Partners in Health, Yele Haiti, ProDev, Cine Institue and APJ Academy. By evolving from “Relief” efforts to “Rebuild” efforts, Urban Zen is announcing our continued support of the nation’s reconstruction. In the past year, Urban Zen has raised over $2.25 million dollars to support relief operations, including donated tents for more than 7,000 displaced Haitians, raised awareness of the plight through our TRUTH and Million Hearts for Haiti campaigns, and significant donations made to organizations operating in Haiti, including those listed above.
To ‘relieve’ means action for immediate aid, however, to ‘rebuild’ requires a committed effort for Haiti’s sustainable renewal. Urban Zen’s groundbreaking and innovative philanthropic model allows us to empower Haiti through economic, artistic, and cultural means — holistically and viably — by honoring the nation’s artistic-cultural legacy as a tool, healing the island’s people with medicine that is both spiritual and scientific, and empowering its children with education in order to place their future in their own hands.
Wyclef Jean gave a surprise performance for this special event, and stood by Donna Karan as she shared her message and wish: “Help Haiti Help Itself…” The point is clear: We must raise awareness and inspire change for Haiti’s connected and sustainable future.
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