On Friday, March 19, 2010, The Carnival of Love Foundation along with KEFI Productions will host their 3rd Annual Carnival of Love Fundraiser at Central Sushi Bar Lounge in Astoria, NY, in honor of Sophia Tavolacci and to benefit the Be the Match Foundationsm.
Be the Match Foundation SM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it. They also provide financial assistance to help patients throughout their transplant journey and to advance medical research and discovery. Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia and other life-threatening diseases; many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or a cord blood transplant from a matching donor. Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on the Be The Match Registry® to find a match to save their life. Be The Match Registry® is the largest and most racially and ethnically diverse registry of its kind in the world, it has grown to more than 8 million donors and more than 100,000 cord blood units [this term refers to blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born].
Be the Match Foundationsm, through its life giving programs, has the potential to save many children’s lives – children such as Sophia Tavolacci. Sophia is a 3 year old member of our community who was recently diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a life threatening bone marrow disease where the bone marrow stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets for the body. Sophia requires ongoing supportive care with regular blood transfusions and infection prevention treatments. We were so inspired by her story and her family’s perseverance that we chose to hold our annual fundraising event in her honor. Her mom, Catherine, is keeping track of her progress through this website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/sophiatavolacci
Our previous two Carnival Fundraisers, also held at Central Sushi Bar Lounge in Astoria, were monumental successes. With the combined efforts of our generous Greek-American community, family, friends and other fund raising participants, the Carnival of Love Foundationsm was able to donate $21,500 over the last 2 years, to benefit the orphans of SOS Children’s Villages in Greece. The overwhelming response by our community has truly inspired us to continue our charitable efforts, as we have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact and strength that individuals can have when joined together under a unified and heartfelt cause. We like to call these efforts ‘loveprints’. Loveprints come in many colors, shapes and sizes, and despite our differences, it’s the one thing that truly unites us all. Even the smallest loveprint can make a lasting impression on someone’s life. We named our campaign: ‘What’s the shape of your love?’ asking people to pause and reflect on how much of their lives is actually dedicated to sharing light, love and hope to others. This ‘Love Revolution‛ begs the question: What loveprint will you leave on this world?
On Friday, Friday, March 19, Central Sushi Bar Lounge in Astoria will transform into a fantasy-like Carnival playground complete with breath-taking entertainment, elaborately costumed performers, and raffle giveaways. The Courtyard will come alive with various Carnival festivities, which in previous years included popcorn, cotton candy, candy apples, chocolate covered strawberries, a face painter, caricature artists, photo booth and handmade Carnival inspired jewelry.
Admission is $30.00 at the door which includes access to the Carnival Playground, Courtyard, a complimentary drink pass and party favor. Doors open at 9pm. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Ammos Estiatorio, will be served from 9-10:30pm.
100% of our net proceeds will directly benefit our causes.
Strategic Alliance:
- KEFI Productions, www.kefiproductions.com
Premier Gold Sponsors:
- Central Sushi Bar Lounge, 20-30 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY, www.centrallounge.com
-The Privilege Group, Elias Karalekas, Insurance Specialist, (347) 831-8964
- Bell Dental Care, Dr. Michael Kokolis, DDS, Bayside, NY, (718) 352-5582
- The Viking Group www.thevikinggroup.com
- Grand Cafe www.grandcafelounge.com
- Taverna Kyclades www.tavernakyclades.com
Entertainment provided by:
- EventCo Productions, Gary Bias, www.eventco-usa.com
Hors d’oeuvres provided by:
- Ammos Estiatorio, 20-30 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY, www.ammosnewyork.com
For more information on Sophia Tavolacci or the various bone marrow diseases, please click the links below:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/sophiatavolacci
www.bethematchfoundation.org
www.icla.org
BUY TICKETS OR DONATE NOW
through our webpage at www.nycharities.org
*Please note, donations made through NYCHARITIES.org are valid admission tickets. Please bring a printout of your donation receipt for entry. If you do not have your receipt, you will need to show your ID for verification.
The COL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
www.myspace.com/carnivaloflove_org
www.dailyfrappe.com
www.portokalada.com
twitter.com/joinloveprint
For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, please email: info@carnivaloflove.org, or visit www.carnivaloflove.org
What’s the shape of your love?
email us at : loveprint@carnivaloflove.org