Make-A-Wish wins $80,000 in funding

Media Release

10 March 2009

Make-A-Wish receives the largest share of votes for Samsung Hope initiative and wins more than $80,000 in funding

Samsung New Zealand is pleased to announce that Make-A-Wish New Zealand will receive more than $80,000* in funding after the charity gained 49 per cent of votes.
 
Samsung Hope is an initiative aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged children throughout the world. Samsung NZ partnered with CanTeen, KidsCan StandTall and Make-a-Wish New Zealand to promote the Samsung Hope campaign website, where supporters determined the distribution of US$90,000 (approx NZ$180,000*) in funds donated by Samsung through their collective pledges. The charities all received a base amount of $10,000 and the remainder of the funds has been divided according to the pledges received.

New Zealand artists Jordan Luck, Scribe and Nathan King have an existing affiliation with the charities and the artists contributed a special track which was available for download in return for a pledge of support.  Scribe is an ambassador for Make-A-Wish, Jordan Luck for KidsCan StandTall and Nathan King for CanTeen.

“We’re really pleased to see that people got behind Samsung Hope and demonstrated their support for these excellent organisations.  Congratulations go to Make-A-Wish, and to CanTeen and KidsCan StandTall for making the first year of Samsung Hope such a success,” said Emma Keen, head of sponsorship and marketing at Samsung New Zealand.

 “This is amazing, we’re absolutely thrilled to have received huge support, from our staff, board, volunteers, wish families, corporate supporters and international affiliates. This donation is a significant contribution to our funding and we look forward to granting more wishes to kids in New Zealand in 2009,” said Scott Simpson, CEO at Make-A-Wish New Zealand. 

“Congratulations to everyone at Make-A-Wish – this is going to make a big difference to a lot of young people’s lives and I’m proud to be a part of such a positive initiative,” said Scribe, HipHop artist and Make-A-Wish ambassador.

Samsung Hope ran from 16 December 2008 to the 28 February 2009.  The online campaign in New Zealand was one of the most widely supported in the Asia Pacific region and the music download was also a unique feature to NZ.

“We felt it was important to be able to give Kiwis something special for taking part in this, and having the artists join in with the charities, to raise awareness of all the good work they do in the community, was just fantastic,” added Ms Keen.

 “This has been great for everyone involved and we are all winners at the end. This is a real boost for us and we will be able to make some young people very happy. As we receive no financial support from government this funding will help us to continue to meet the needs of our growing membership.” said Jade Phillips, CanTeen Brand Manager.

 “We really appreciate being chosen to be part of Samsung Hope and this funding is going to help us make a huge difference for Kiwi kids,” added Julie Helson, co-founder and General Manager of KidsCan StandTall.

Throughout the Asia Pacific region Samsung Electronics will be announcing the local allocation of its record US$700,000 grant for 21 children charities, marking the successful conclusion of Samsung Hope, its new philanthropic initiative.

Samsung aims to grow the Samsung Hope initiative into a sustained program for the future that will focus on empowering underprivileged kids to overcome significant challenges or illnesses and achieve success. Samsung Hope is the first time Samsung has run a programme that enabled local communities to decide the grant allocation.

ENDS

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