Haiti: Carnival in Cannes Raises Millions for Disaster Relief

A meet and greet with Bono, lunch with a Victoria’s Secret Angel, a chance to party with the Golden Globes stars, and a luxurious vacation at the St Regis Bora Bora were among the items auctioned off at the Haiti: Carnival in Cannes gala fundraiser. The fundraising event took place on May 18, 2012 at the Festival de Cannes, with proceeds from the star-studded charity event going to help Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), Paul Haggis’ Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), and Petra Nemcova’s Happy Heart’s Fund (HHF). The charities are working together in Haiti, and according to the Festival, the collaboration marks the first time ever that three charities have come together with the festival’s support for one important cause.

According to preliminary reports, $2+ million was raised at the event.

In addition to Penn, Haggis, and Nemcova, celebrities who participated in the Haiti: Carnival in Cannes fundraiser included Gerard Butler, Diane Kruger, Jessica Chastain, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Ewan McGregor, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tom Hardy, Robert De Niro, Sean Combs, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Harvey Weinstein. Lyle Lovett entertained the crowd with three songs.

 
More on the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO):
Founded by Sean Penn, J/P HRO began its work just hours after the earthquake hit in January 2010. J/P HRO’s goal is to help lift the nation of Haiti out of the rubble and give the Haitian people a better future. J/P HRO has become a leader in Haiti across multiple sectors working to improve living conditions in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and surrounding neighborhoods by clearing rubble, and providing medical services, education and enrichment programs, housing construction, and neighborhood redevelopment. J/P HRO’s main objective remains to help displaced people get back to durable, safer, and permanent homes in revitalized neighborhoods. J/P HRO employs 1,200 people, more than 97% of whom are Haitians. To learn more: www.jphro.org.
 
More on Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ):
Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization founded by Paul Haggis and friends in 2009 that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. APJ’s immediate goal is to serve children and their families in the poorest communities in Haiti by supporting programs focused on education, health and dignity through the Academy for Peace and Justice, the first free secondary school in Port-au-Prince. APJ donates 100% of public donations directly to its programs in Haiti. To learn more: www.apjnow.org.
 
More on Happy Hearts Fund (HHF):

Founded by Petra Nemcova in 2006, Happy Hearts Fund is a non-profit foundation dedicated to rebuilding schools and restoring hope and opportunity in the lives of children after natural disasters. The organization concentrates its work during the period after emergency response is complete, implementing sustainable practices to ensure a lasting impact. Happy Hearts Fund has worked in a total of 14 countries since inception and is currently active in six countries; Thailand, Indonesia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Haiti. Globally HHF has built /rebuilt 57 schools and kindergartens and its programs have benefited more than 34,412 children and 337,450 community members. HHF has been active in Haiti since 2007, building schools and computer labs. To learn more please visit:  www.happyheartsfund.

Source: J/P Haitian Relief Organization, Happy Hearts Fund, Artists for Peace and Justice