Earth day is still a few short weeks away but we got a jump start on the festivities at Christie’s Auction House while attending the “Green Auction”. The yearly event raises funds for several Earth friendly causes by auctioning off donated gifts and various luxury items. The event begins with a fab cocktail party featuring passing edibles and beverages. This year the refreshments were sponsored by NYC’s Rouge Tomate as well as Grey Goose. Rouge kept the revelers fed with delicious gourmet treats. Grey Goose provided splendid cocktails, including a refreshing mixture developed just for the event called “Le Fizz”. Light and simple the beverage was a perfect fit for the evening as guests milled about admiring the gorgeous JW Marriot Lounge. The decadent space features reclaimed wood, stone washed walls and golden curtains emblazoned with the signature griffin. The lush setting was appropriate as philanthropists, celebrities and socialites bid on amazing items and initiatives.
The theme for the evening was water, as such, many of the items auctioned revolved around water in one way or another. The live auction which was officiated by the witty and sharp-tongued Lydia Fenet began with an amazing Scuba Diving trip with 2 of the world’s most successful divers, one of which holds the amazing distinction of having walked on the ocean floor on several expeditions. The biggest winner of the night was presented by Oceana. Their “Sail Aboard Hemisphere-The World’s Largest Luxury Sailing Catamaran”, fetched a winning bid of one hundred fifty thousand dollars. The night ended with an amazing set by bluesy rock star Grace Potter, who graced the stage without her band accompanied by a lone piano. Potter treated the crowd to 4 amazing tracks including the soulful “Nothing But the Water”
The Green Auction raised over half a million dollars in one night, the totality of which will be used to help its charities. The beneficiaries include: The Central Park Conservancy, Oceana, Conservation International and NDRC. The money collected through the auction will benefit initiatives to protect waterways and endangered marine life across the globe. Though the generosity showed during the evening will assist with several important initiatives more funding is needed and will likely be gathered through the online auction. The digital version will run until April 19th and includes some once in a lifetime opportunities such as a day with Bill Clinton and a day of shopping with Barney’s Simon Doonan. The bid on these items and many more please visit: http://bidtosavetheearth.charitybuzz.com. Life on earth cannot be sustained without a healthy clean source of water. These charities rely on the support and generosity of Earth;s inhabitants to make a difference. Even if you find nothing you want in the online auction or you lose a bidding war, you can still lend your support by texting ‘GREEN’ to 8088 and donating ten dollars.
