If you missed the livestream, watch the recording here:

Guests included Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron, Jeremy Piven, Josh Groban, David Arquette, Mia Hamm, Laila Ali, Nomar Garciaparra and Mayor and Mrs. Gavin Newsom, just to name a few. Vicki Escara, CEO of Feeding America, educated the crowd about kids in need and how they are mobilizing support. Not only did guests’ contributions go to vital causes, performances were donated from Snow Patrol, Carlos Santana, eight-year old pianist and composer Ethan Bortnick and Spencer Day.

Photo credit: Charley Gallay, WireImage

A popular item to sell at benefit auctions is the opportunity to dine at the Chef’s Table in a restaurant.

What is the Chef’s Table?

Not every restaurant has one, but a Chef’s Table is a table situated within the kitchen of the restaurant. As with real estate, what makes this table unique is location, location, location.

By virtue of where it sits (in the kitchen), the table allows the guests to see how their food is being prepared, observe communication among the kitchen staff, and generally experience the inner workings of a busy restaurant kitchen. It’s the uniqueness of the experience which makes this auction item so popular at fundraisers.

Sure, it’s always nice to go out for a good meal, but it becomes a more fascinating experience when you are stationed in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a busy commercial kitchen. You’re literally dining “in” the kitchen, while dining “out” of the house.

Sometimes a restaurant will book the Chef’s Table when the restaurant is at capacity. Other times the table might be left vacant unless a special customer arrives.

When soliciting for donations from restaurants, ask if they have a Chef’s Table. If they do, ask if they would be so kind as to donate a dinner in that zip code of the restaurant. It’s a better donation for your charity, and it typically doesn’t change the cash value of the donation itself.

[Photo from Creative Commons]

About the Author: Benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar (VAR #3083) is a life member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and a member of the Virginia Auctioneers Association.

Red Apple Auctions LLC is located in Alexandria, VA, although Sherry has been known to spend a chunk of time enjoying Miami, FL during the winter.
If you’d like to attend one of our events, most of our benefits auctions are held in the Washington, DC and Palm Beach, FL / Fort Lauderdale, FL metro areas.

In addition to the membership events this year, Kathryn Pellegrini Inglin, president of Symphonix board 2009-10, announced upcoming after-hours modern deejay interpretations of classical music in the second-floor lounge at Davies Symphony Hall, and winemaker dinners with musicians.

Kelly Grimes joined Symphonix in 2003, and is on her second three-year term as a board member. Kelly says it’s a combination of the supportive staff at San Francisco Symphony, the diverse and dynamic Symphonix membership, and the fantastic parties that inspire her commitment. Kelly met both her boyfriend and her best friend through her Symphonix involvement.

Besides attending interesting parties and paying an $85 annual membership fee, Symphonix members are asked to purchase tickets to at least three performances each season. A background in music education is not required; rather, Symphonix members are offered opportunities to learn about the music. A recent one-on-one style talk, inspired by Bravo TV’s Inside the Actors Studio, brought the group together with San Francisco Symphony musicians and programming staff. Other membership benefits include discounted tickets and a discount at the San Francisco Symphony Store.

Symphonix brings people in the San Francisco Bay Area together who share a budding interest in music and in sustaining one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. All Symphonix funds raised are for San Francisco Symphony’s education programs. For more information: http://www.sfsymphonix.com/index.asp

Article Courtesy of RedCarpetSF

To underscore the significance of how Vivanista is setting out to revolutionize the philanthropy industry, it is imperative that we define our maxim and how we, as women of great power, give back while simultaneously enjoying the luxuries that we have so luckily been afforded. For some, living well equals acquisition: obtaining as much for oneself as possible out of a sense of entitlement. For others, living well means sharing your wealth and gifts with others knowing you are only as good as that which you give. We, at Vivanista, seek as members those in the latter demographic – those who are defined not by their material wealth but, rather, by their will to give, often times, beyond their means.

To become a Vivanista member and a true Bon Vivant requires the ability as a woman to share. And the most invaluable asset as women that we can share is our knowledge. Because when we share our knowledge, our wisdom, our experiences, we empower one another. In a sense, every woman is philanthropic. It is in our DNA to give and nurture. But it is Vivanistas who take their sense of charity to a new level.

I invite you, the women of Vivanista, to ask not what Vivanista can do for you, but what you can do for Vivanista? (Share Comments Below)

[Photos from Rosi via Flickr]

Jumping for Joy Adventure Club

We struggle with the day-to-day dilemmas of how and where to give back. We ponder new ways of giving that are not only enjoyable to us, but are also greatly beneficial others. This brings us to our latest finding of charitable givers. Enter the Joy Adventure Club (or JAC for short). Check out what Vivanista got to know about JAC’s founder, Wendy Mitchell, and the ways that JAC is changing people’s lives for the better.

Vivanista: Tell us how the Joy Adventure Club came to be.

Wendy Mitchell: The Portland-based Joy Adventure Club (JAC) is the brain child of five women spanning three generations putting fun to work for good causes. We have all worked together for many years in the women’s health field. The model for JAC came out of the 64th Mamma Mia! birthday party that I threw for myself.

V: What was the catalyst for JAC?

WM: Having been a dance major at UCLA in the 60′s, I decided I wanted to have a “little girl’s birthday party for big girls” and rented out BodyVox, a dance studio, for my Mamma Mia!-themed birthday party. 50 of my closest friends came in their rags and feather boas with food or champagne to share. We jived all night singing, “see that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen!”

V: What event kick-started the Joy Adventure Club into motion?

WM: The five of us had been getting together to create something special and unique and it just hit us – movement, food, donations, and so, “Hula for Moola” benefiting the Oregon Food Bank was born.

One JAC member, a graphic designer, created an Evite, another contacted www.hoopnotica.com, another secured the free space, another wrote copy and got us a sound system, and so it went.  We added 600 names into the Evite and pushed the button. Suddenly the day was upon us and over 50 women came with food and champagne and donations to hoop their hearts out and we left with $1,000 for the Oregon Food Bank.

V: How would you judge the success of “Hula for Moola,”, and what kind of feedback have you received from the participants?

WM: We rated our first event a raving success! We only heard high-energy positive comments. Women celebrated themselves and shared in the joy of coming together for fun and purpose.

V: How easily can this be replicated in other cities?

Tiffany Wheeler, JAC co-founder: JAC is so organic and easy. The key is forming a small and close-knit core group that leads the brainstorming and planning activities for each event. The contact lists are shared and the Evite spreads the news. The important part of this formula is that the fund-raising aspect never acts as a deterrent to entry. We keep the participation low, and remind women that 100% of what they gives goes directly to the charity. If they can’t afford to pay, we ask them to give whatever they can.

V: Vivanista has created the concept “Party with a Purpose,” providing structure for members to host in-home parties with some sort of fun or educational purpose and their guests make a nominal donation to a charity to attend; very similar to what the JAC is doing. Any other similarities you see?

Margaret Fivecrows, JAC co-founder: It reminds me of Margaret Mead’s quote “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” It does sound similar…and wonderful.

Poised to present their next big gig on October 3rd, “Bellydancing for Bucks” benefiting Sisters Of The Road, Joy Adventure Club is on the move with no signs of stopping in the near future. JAC’s extreme desire to see women all over the country create a club for fun, movement, food and philanthropy is not only inspiring, but easy to attain. Click here for our easy steps on how to replicate Joy Adventure Club’s philanthropic events.

[Photo from Tony the misfit via Flickr]

It is believed that the Ethos Water project may end up doing more harm than good. One billion people in the world live without fresh drinking water and Americans are fortunate enough to have access to potable tap water. However, Americans have gotten into the habit of buying glamorous, expensive bottled water, not to mention the water is not as strongly regulated as tap water and 90% of the bottles end up in the landfill.

In order for Starbucks to reach their $10 million goal, they will need to sell 200 million bottles of water. But instead of consuming 200 million bottles of water, imagine donating the $1.80 you would have spent on an Ethos bottle directly to one of the water aid organizations that Ethos Water supports. That could create a huge impact on this devastating issue. Give to a charity here: www.universalgiving.org/

However, raising money is only part of Ethos’ mission. Thum says the product, “…allows people to understand the world water crisis and feel as if they are connected to the solution.” Sure enough this product has been successful in raising awareness of a massive global problem. So if you do decide to buy bottled water, Ethos Water may be a good decision, but the choice is up to you.

[Photo from Benjamin Siegel via Flickr]

Celebrity Career Highlights

Legendary icon Michael Jackson created magic on stage, in the recording studio, and in the hearts of many millions of people worldwide.

At 11 years young—Michael Jackson was the main performer of the wildly successful Motown family-act the Jackson 5—and already a star.

Later in time—now a solo artist, Michael Jackson, phenomenal entertainer, singer, songwriter, and dancer—became a superstar.

Here are just a few of this celebrity’s many monumental accomplishments:

• He received numerous prestigious awards from Grammys to MTV Music Video Awards.
• 47 of his solo singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 13 of his singles hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• He was a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson was inducted in 1997 as part of the Jackson 5 and again in 2001 as a Solo Artist.
• His album Thriller became one of the most celebrated biggest NW albums in pop history, selling more than 40 million copies worldwide and earning a record eight Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and more than 150 gold and platinum awards. In 1985 Thriller was proclaimed the Best Selling Album of All Time by the Guinness Book of Records.

Yet, beyond his fame, there was another contribution that ‘made a difference’ which was his charitable contributions for the many philanthropic causes close to his heart.

And this was the King of Pop Michael Jackson’s best -kept secret.

A Loving Legacy To Heal The World

Michael Jackson had a personal quest to heal the world.

The 2000 book of Guinness World Records— stated that Michael Jackson supported more charities than any other entertainer or personality—Michael Jackson supported 39 charities through sponsorships and cash donations.

Not only did he donate millions of dollars to the charities he supported, he raised millions more through the charity he founded in 1992 the Heal the World Foundation .

In 1985 Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the humanitarian anthem ‘We Are The World’ a charity single that raised millions of dollars towards famine relief.

Look To The Stars a website on ‘The World of Celebrity Giving’ reports on more of the results of Michael Jackson’s altruism:

• Jackson donated tickets to shows in is 1989 Bad Tour to underprivileged children. The proceeds from one of his shows in Los Angeles were donated to Childhelp USA, the biggest charity-organization against child-abuse. Childhelp of Southern California then established the “Michael Jackson International Institute for Research On Child Abuse”

• In 1986, he set up the “Michael Jackson United Negro College Fund Endowed Scholarship Fund”. This $1.5 million fund is aimed towards students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a UNCF member college or university.

• In 1984, Jackson equipped a 19-bed-unit at Mount Senai New York Medical Center. This center is part of the T.J. Martell-Foundation for leukemia and cancer research. Later in the year, he visited the Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he had been treated when he was burned very badly during the producing of a Pepsi commercial. He donated all the money he received from Pepsi, $1.5 million, to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children.

Paying Tribute To His Generous Spirit

When the news of Michael Jackson’s death reverberated throughout the world Mel Wilson (Vice President, Heal the World Foundation) posted a letter on the HTWF website, here is a passage:

‘To all those who love him,

The death of Michael Jackson is a great American tragedy.  His heart had been battered on all fronts, but he believed in humanity and wanted to change the world.

People are now remembering his music legacy, but behind the scenes, unknown to all but a small handful of people, during these last 7 years he authorized that tens of thousands be spent on preserving his charity organization Heal the World Foundation (HTWF).’

Unparalleled Contributions

The memory of the famous entertainer Michael Jackson’s gifts to mankind—his stellar contributions to the world of music and his astounding philanthropy—are everlasting.

Dear Readers: For more information on Michael Jackson’s philanthropy visit JacksonAction which recorded an extensive timeline of Jackson’s charity work.

[Photos By Catias, Richard Pflaume, Msmelva, Venison, N06, and Nyki_m via Flickr]