Once the red carpet was over, the guests were directed to the second floor of Ben & Jack’s restaurant. Met by a sign-in desk and a large bar, people mingled and walked around observing all the tables that had memorabilia for auction, as well as pictures with children from Tanzania who could be adopted. Tables held a wide range of items including ivory masks, ivory elephants, paintings, restaurant coupons, Warren-Tricomi hair styling coupons, a large tennis ball signed by Russell Simmons, Donald Trump, Charlize Theron, signed photos of New York Knicks players, and bracelets from the Russell Simmons jewelry line. The most important table, however, was the one with the laptops signed onto Charity Buzz, where the guests could actually bid for the cars on display outside.
With food catered by the restaurant, and so many silent auction tables for the guests to bid on, the night was a successful and fulfilling one. It truly was a rewarding event — for the guests it was an entertaining evening and for the children and people in Tanzania it is a large step forward to provide hospitals, clean water, and many more facilities that will provide a happier and healthier life for them.
Before departing, I couldn’t help but ask Simmons if he was going to bid on one of the cars, he joked, ” I don’t think I’m going to get one of those cars! I already have a gas-guzzler! Unfortunately.”
For more information, go to www.lifeprojectforafrica.com.
