New York: Novak Djokovic Foundation Dinner + Naomi Steals the Spotlight in Versace
In terms of fashionable charity events, the Novak Djokovic Foundation Dinner, generated a large amount of buzz. The celebrities brought their A-game and a resulting avalanche of attention to the Novak Djokovic Foundation. The foundation has been around for years but its most recent event took place during the peak of New York Fashion Week. A star-studded guest list turned out in their best to promote the foundation’s aim. Notable attendees included Cara Santana, Naomi Campbell , Louise Roe, Meghan Markle, and many others. Take a peek a the dinner which was arguable the highlight of New York Fashion Week.
$2,500,000 was raised for preschool programs in Serbia at the event that gathered many friends and generous people from the USA and around the world, who supported the Foundation’s mission to provide encouragement and resources to young children so they can fulfill and nurture their dreams.
Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Milutin Gatsby, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and many more… were among the distinguished guests in attendance at the third Fundraiser organised by the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
Among the variety of one of a kind items auctioned, American Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, gave bidders a chance to be styled by her and photographed by world renowned fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Joining in the aid, Victoria’s Secret donated tickets to attend their, yearly and most anticipated, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Offering another amazing expierience Novak Djokovic auctioned a private tennis match with himself in preparation for the 2014 Wimbledon Tournament.
Naomi stole the spotlight by wearing a dress she had worn two decades ago. Her ability to wear the same dress is a triumph in itself and a testament to her ageless beauty.
Interested in learning more about the Novak Djokovic Foundation?! Check out the website: here. I’ve included some info at the bottom of this post for all my charity minded readers.
FashionBrew
The Novak Djokovic Foundation was founded in November 2007 by Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and until 29th February 2012 it operated under the name the Novak Fund.
From its earliest days the foundation supported a variety of projects including:
- financing the upkeep of Serbian monasteries and churches (considered to be national and cultural historic monuments)
- donating sanitary vehicles to war torn Kosovo communities
- financing the traveling expenses of young talents from Serbia to participate in international competitions (tennis and music contests)
- providing financial support to several young children in Serbia with health problems to go abroad to receive the best medical care possible
- providing financial support to kids who lost their parents in war
- providing financial support to Loznica and Kraljevo cities which were destructed during floods to rebuild their infrastructure
Mission & Vision
Serbia has one of the lowest participation rates of children in preschool education. The number of children aged 3 to 5.5 years in Serbia is about 180,000, and the 2012 findings of UNICEF, show that out of that number, only 44% are included in the pre-school education. The percentage of participation is different in urban areas (57%) and less developed areas (about 29%). The worrying factor is that the total number of children in kindergartens in recent years is being reduced and that preschool services are not used by those who need it the most – socially disadvantaged children.
There are many reasons why the figures are so worrying. More than 10,000 children is on the waiting lists for the enrollment into pre-schools, mostly in the developed regions.
In addition, Serbia has over 2,500 locations where there are no preschools. We should not forget the families who are facing financial problems and are more likely to decide that their children would stay at home, as well as children with developmental problems or Roma children, who in many cases are not included in pre-school education. The majority of these 2,500 locations is very underdeveloped and poor, without the means to invest into early childhood development and education.
Our wish is to change that!
