Dubai International Film Festival and Dubai Cares present the Global Gift Gala hosted by actress & activist, Eva Longoria
III The Global Gift Gala Dubai benefit Dubai Cares, The Eva Longoria Foundation, Sunrise K’ Foundation and The Global Gift Foundation
Dubai, UAE – 13 December 2015. The third edition of The Global Gift Gala was held in Dubai on the 12th of December at The Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach, hosted by actress, philanthropist and Honorary Chair, Eva Longoria alongside The Global Gift founders, Maria Bravo and Alina Peralta.
Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and Dubai Cares the UAE-based global philanthropic organization presented an event whose beneficiaries include Dubai Cares, The Eva Longoria Foundation, Sunrise K’ Foundation and The Global Gift Foundation.
Commenting on the night, Eva Longoria said: “We returned to Dubai for yet another incredible event and I’m honored by the support we received. Partnering with Dubai International Film Festival and Dubai Cares was a real privilege. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year to do it all again.”
This year, organizations set to benefit from the gala included The Eva Longoria Foundation, which focuses on women’s education and entrepreneurship; Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organization working to provide children in developing countries with access to quality education; Sunrise K focusing on raising awareness against glaucoma and the Global Gift Foundation with the opening of their first ‘Casa Global Gift’ for special needs children, whilst also providing medical treatments and therapy for children affected by rare disease.
The event welcomed more than 250 guests, including international and local celebrities, philanthropists such as Mohammed Al Ansari, Abdul Hamid Juma, Chairman of Dubai International Film Festival; Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, such as American actors Richard Dreyfuss, Argentine actor and comedian Guillermo Franchella, Michael B. Jordan, Terrence Howard, E! News co-anchor Terrence J and British star Rupert Everett.
Television and radio presenter, Tom Urquhart and Emirati film director, Nayla Al Khaja, hosted the evening. They welcomed to the stage Mr. Turiq Al Gurg from Dubai Cares to kick-start the evening; along with founders of Global Gift Foundation, Alina Peralta and Maria Bravo, Eva Longoria of Eva Longoria Foundation and Joanna Dogmach with Dalia Dogmoch Soubra, from Sunrise K Foundation.
The evening continued with performances from Palestinian singer, Omar, the American actor from the TV hit series “Empire” and signer, Terrence Howard and Dubai blogger and DJ, Tala Samman.
In this edition, the charity gala in Dubai raised over €270.000 through generous donations during the live auction conducted by Christies auctioneer Hugh Edmeades.
The Eva Longoria Telenova Experience, an exclusive access to the Universal Studios Backlot in Hollywood, California, to visit the set of NBC’s new hit comedy, among auction items included.
There were other items to make the fundraising auction a success: The Diana Award Experience, a tour given personally by Lord Spencer, the elder brother of Diana, Princess of Wales; Rioja Get Away, two business class flights to Rioja, Spain to stay at the famous Marques de Riscal Five Star Hotel; Frederique Constant Watches for Him & Her, two stunning Rose Gold wrist watches by premium watch designer, Frederique Constant; Other prizes included a U2 signed guitar display, a Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band signed guitar, 56th Golden Globe Award programme signed by Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Jack Nicholson and John Travolta, and a designer TODS bag all generously donated by Charity Stars.
The Global Gift Philanthropreneur Award
The evening also honored Mr. Ghassan Aboud with ‘The Global Gift Philanthropreneur Award’, who through his business success and business knowledge- set out to help those most in need. To date, through his foundation, Orient for Human Relief- over 1.4 million syrian citizens and refugees have been given direct aid, through the setting up of free hospitals, free schools, the creation of jobs and shelters. Unfortunately due to business commitments Mr. Ghassan was not able to attend, so this director of his foundation, Mr. Ammar Martini accepted on his behalf.
The Global Gift Gala would like to thank DIFF and Dubai Cares for supporting the event, as well as The Four Seasons Resort at Jumeriah Beach, Frederique Constant, Ghassan Aboud Group, ILight, A&E, and our collaborators Insignia, Sibillis, Kaskada Management & Charity Stars.
The Global Gift Gala is part of the Global Gift Foundation that carries philanthropic events to raise awareness and funds to support families and children worldwide through cooperating with local charities.