By Tim Saunders on
Adrian Grenier hosted the annual Charity:Water Ball in New York last night to raise money for the organization’s work bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
The evening featured an auction that included lots such as a private acting lesson with Dustin Hoffman and the opportunity to pay for wells being built in Africa. Over $500,000 was raised at the event – held at the Metropolitan Pavilion – with guests such as Matthew Modine, Jessica Stam, Jennay Elfman, Gnarls Barkley, and many more.
Charity:Water was established by Scott Harrison, a Manhattan party promoter, in 2006. While on a freelance photography trip in Africa, Harrison was shocked to see victims of contaminated water suffering long and painful deaths.
“I had been selling $350 bottles of Grey Goose vodka at clubs, and here were 5,000 people, some who had come from neighboring countries to see a doctor,” Harrison told Bloomberg. “I was devastated.”
Over 1,500 people attended the event, with proceeds going to build wells in developing nations. Since its founding, the charity has helped fund more than 1,000 projects.
“I used to live a very selfish and very arrogant lifestyle,” Harrison said. “This has been a humbling experience.”
More information about Charity:Water can be found at their website.
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
