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Novak Djokovic Foundation raised $1,400,000 at its first-ever fundraising dinner held at Capitale in New York last night.
Two days after the US Open, Honorary Chair and no.2 tennis player in the world, hosted the event and dinner with a live auction as guests enjoyed a special performance by Theophilus London.
The Foundation founder and UNICEF Ambassador has galvanized awareness for helping early childhood education. Many friends from the world of sport, fashion industry and business environment, and philanthropists, were there to support the Foundation’s efforts: Hollywood actor Andy Garcia, fashion top model Anja Rubik, Sasha Knezevic, famous designers Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger, movie producer Milutin Gatsby, business magnate Ronald Burkle…
Tennis great John McEnroe gave support to fellow athlete, and model Karlie Kloss took time to honour the great work of the Serbian tennis player. The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, also attended the event and joined a host of models on the red carpet in support of the charitable foundation. A special guest was motivational speaker Nick Vujicic.
The most interesting items for auction were match with Novak at the 2012 Necker Cup (opportunity to travel to Sir Richard Branson’s beautiful Necker Island to participate in five days of tennis, parties and other island activities), Audemars Piguet watch, tickets for Madonna’s concert, Roberto Dutesco’s painting – The wild horses of Sable Island (“Linda, Christie and Naomi”), Shamballa Jewels Zebra bracelet, golf with Andy Garcia (opportunity to join movie star in Los Angeles for a round of golf).
“What we want to do with our Foundation is to help and raise the awareness in Serbia of the pre-school education, and try to enable kids to have access to sport activities, facilities, to better nutrition, better education. This is the first event, so we are all very excited for it,” Novak said. “In partnership with UNICEF, we’re trying to achieve a lot, and to bring happiness and joy to our kids.”
Golden Slam donor was Uniqlo, one of the world’s most prestigious brands, the Japanese clothing and sports equipment manufacturer. Grand Slam donors were: Alpine Associates Advisors, CourtSense at Tenafly Racquet Club and Goran Djokovic; Master donors: Jon Brooks, Thomas J. Hilfiger, IMG, Rebecca MacDonald and MTV Adria; Champion supporters: ATP World Tour and Jay Goldman; Ace supporters: Bombardier and Heyley Newstead; Winner supporters: Aleksandar Jakovljevic, Ilona Saic and Nash Subotic.
Novak believes that by supporting young children, we can change humanity for the better. He founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation in 2007, which operated under the name the Novak Fund until February of 2012. The Novak Djokovic Foundation enables children from disadvantaged communities to grow up, play and develop in stimulating, creative and safe environments, with strategic community facility planning, development and financing, whilst instilling respect and consideration for their surroundings. The Foundation’s mission is to alleviate the suffering of children – especially in Novak’s native Serbia – whether from the lack of nutrition, education, from illness, or loss of family by providing necessary supplies and services to both communities and individuals.
For more information on the Novak Djokovic Foundation, go to www.novakdjokovicfoundation.org
Visit our Gallery to see the pictures from the inaugural dinner at Capitale in New York City.
