Celine Dion’s “A New Day…” Raises Over One Million Dollars for UNICEF’s Tsunami Recovery Fund Through a Special Mother’s Day Performance
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 9, 2005–Celine Dion dedicated a special Mother’s Day performance of her Las Vegas show “A New Day…,” created by DRAGONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, to raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami. Proceeds from the Sunday, May 8 show, totaling more than $1,029,714 were donated to UNICEF’s Tsunami Recovery Fund to help with relief and reconstruction efforts in the tsunami-affected region.
The evening’s event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies and Honorary Committee Member Larry King. At the end of the performance, Celine Dion and King presented UNICEF President USA, Charles J. Lyons and UNICEF President, Canada, David Agnew, with a donation check.
The show exceeded its expectations to raise over one million dollars from show proceeds, sponsorship packages, a special commemorative program book, collection boxes in The Colosseum and a silent auction preceding the show that evening to help the families who have suffered as a result of the tragedy.
The special event was chaired by Celine Dion with her husband Rene Angelil, and co-chaired by Caesars Palace President Mark Juliano with his wife Jacqueline Juliano, and AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke with his wife Bernadette Leiweke.
Honorary Chairpersons President George H.W. Bush and President William Jefferson Clinton gave a pre-recorded address and with some of the most respected VIPs and celebrities from the entertainment world and government endorsed this fundraising effort and lent their names in support. The Honorary Committee is comprised of the following individuals:
President George H.W. Bush
President William Jefferson Clinton
Stefanie Graf & Andre Agassi
Cher
Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones
Linda Thompson & David Foster
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman
Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn
George Hamilton
Sir Elton John
Wynonna Judd
Larry & Shawn King
Bette Midler
Kathleen & Wayne Newton
Shaquille O’Neal
Barbra Streisand
Dame Elizabeth Taylor
UNICEF has a strong presence in the regions most affected by the tsunami, making it especially well positioned to provide urgent and sustainable help when the disaster struck. Working with governments, other UN agencies and the broader relief community, UNICEF’s work has focused on four chief areas: child survival, family reunification, child protection and getting schools up and running.
ABOUT UNICEF
Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.
ABOUT “A NEW DAY…”
“A New Day…” is produced by AEG Live and is performed at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. The show’s engagement continues until the end of 2007. Tickets are available now for performances through July.
