Project Playground & International Women’s Club Celebration Benefit Dinner 2013

Friday April 26th Project Playground, together with the International Women’s Club of Stockholm (IWC), welcomed 230 guests to a Celebration Benefit Dinner in benefit of Project Playground. It was our very first big event in Stockholm, making it very special and exciting. The dinner was held at beautiful Clarion Hotel Stockholm which generously sponsored the evening through lowering the costs substantially for staff, food and drinks. We enjoyed a delicious three course menu composed by the South African chef at Clarion, inspired by the very many and different cultures represented in South Africa. The main course wine and the dessert coffee was kindly sponsored by Vinovum and Jetshop.

Swedish TV-presenter Agneta Sjödin and magician and comedian John Houdi hosted the evening superbly and made sure the atmosphere was on top. Thoughtful and touching speeches were held by Project Playground founders Sofia and Frida, the IWC president Pirjo Soppi-Sandell and the South African ambassador HE Ms Mandisa Dona Marasha. We also had the pleasure to present amazing artists such as Stephen Simmonds, Linda Lampenius with pianist Carina Nilsson, and Gugulethu born Zwai Mbula and his band – all very much appreciated by our guests.

The open auction of the evening was held by John and Agneta, and offered a wide range of amazing items and experiences such as an exclusive bicycle, a photography session, a Lydmar Hotel stay, beautiful art by Birgitte Söndergaard, Mattias Klum and Maloosak, an over summer cab car rental, a signed hockey shirt by Nicklas Lidström, a signed tennis racket from Björn Borg, a sport experience from Adidas and many more. We also had a popular raffle with prizes valued up to 30 times the cost of a ticket, in total about 40 items generously donated by multiple companies and private persons. Many of our guests were lucky winners, thank you!

The evening reminded us all that we are world citizens and therefore carry a collective responsibility for the children of the world. Project Playground wants to thank all of our guests for attending and making the evening so special and successful. Most of all, we want to thank the IWC and everyone involved for the final raised sum of approximately 415 000 SEK, going directly to Project Playground. These funds will change the lives of many little souls in Langa, giving them a worthy childhood, self-belief and an opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams. Sustainable development starts from within.

Project Playground specifically wants to thank the sponsors, donors and company tables for making this Celebration Benefit Dinner and auction possible: Clarion Hotel Stockholm, Svenska Postkodlotteriet, Vinovum, South African Embassy, Jetshop, Boulevard Optik, Stena, Team Tidö, Adidas, Audi, Nicklas Lidström, Mattias Klum, Björn Borg, Maloosak, Ralph Lauren, Lydmar Hotel, Blake Cornell Photography, Cycleurope, Tobias Karlsson, Luciano Padovan, Petré Event, Yasuragi Hasseludden, Selina J. Photography, Agneta Sjödin, John Houdi, Stephen Simmonds, Linda Lampenius, Carina Nilsson, Zwai Mbula Band and Artist & Eventbolaget.

To view pictures from the event, please click on the links below:

Red carpet pictures: http://se.myalbum.com/Album=DNDYCPVU

Mingle pictures: http://se.myalbum.com/Album=RL6YKEHB