From the 7th annual charity: ball Gala, W Hotels Worldwide announced a new, multi-layered partnership with charity: water, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. charity: water Founder and CEO, Scott Harrison, recognized the W brand’s commitment during the annual event held at the 69th Regiment Armoryin New York City, where W Hotels, together with TOMS, supported the charity: water Waterwalk. A signature element of the charity: ball Gala, the Waterwalk is an interactive exhibition where guests take off their shoes and carry two 40-pound yellow Jerry cans a fraction of the distance in which millions of women and children in developing countries must walk in order to collect water. Throughout the evening, a total of $500,000 was raised for the Waterwalk which will provide 19,400 people in India with access to clean drinking water.
“charity: water is a forward-thinking organization with an unparalleled commitment to bringing clean drinking water to developing communities around the world,” said Carlos Becil, Vice President, North America Brand Management, W Hotels Worldwide. “W Hotels shares in charity: water’s passion for inspiring innovation and creative energy to aid those in need, and we hope our guests will join us in giving back through unique opportunities throughout the next year.”
As part of the multi-layered partnership, W Hotels and charity: water will take Waterwalk exhibitions to various cities around the country, bringing the story of charity: water and the need for clean water around the world to new W communities. To be hosted at W Hotels throughout 2013, W guests and locals will be able to get involved in unique ways to support charity: water’s efforts in 20 developing countries around the world.
“We’re excited to build a great relationship with W Hotels over the next year,” said charity: water founder and CEO, Scott Harrison. “We’re incredibly thankful to W Hotels for their support of charity: ball’s Waterwalk, which will help us provide thousands of people in India with access to clean, safe drinking water. It’s always great to see a brand like W creating innovative ways to give back, and we’re looking forward to continuing our work together to bring clean water to those who need it most.”
Hosted by actor, writer and comedian Seth Meyers, the charity: ball Gala raised more than $3.1 million in total and over $800,000 during the Live Auction, which alone will bring clean water to 24,000 people in Kenya. Sophia Bush, Jessica Stroup, Blake Mycoskie, Whoopi Goldberg, John Slattery, Nanette Lepore and David Blaine in addition to more than 1,000 guests, took part in the W Hotels and TOMS Waterwalk.
For more information on the W brand’s partnership with charity: water, please view http://bit.ly/W-CW. Additionally, for more information on W Hotels Worldwide, please visit www.whotels.com or follow @WHotels on Twitter and Instagram.
