UNICEF and the Boston Celtics Team Up for 'A Night for Haiti'

Boston Celtics to Receive UNICEF Honor

BOSTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF will honor the Boston Celtics with its Children's Champion Award at A Night for Haiti on March 25 at the House of Blues. The event, co-chaired by Tiffany Ortiz and Brandi Garnett, will feature a reception, a special performance by Boyz II Men, a live auction with special guest auctioneer Boston Celtics Forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and an award presentation to the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics organization and its fans raised $100,000 through in-game donations from fans to help aid the on-going relief efforts from the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Boston Celtics players, coaches, staff and fans contributed $50,000 to that amount, which was then matched by the team's Shamrock Foundation. Additionally, the Celtics Women's Group created a public service announcement featuring all Celtics players and Head Coach Doc Rivers encouraging people to donate to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

Individual tickets for the event begin at $500. All proceeds from the evening's corporate sponsorship and ticket sales will benefit UNICEF's programs for children in Haiti.  

The Children's Champion Award is presented by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to public figures who strive to make a difference for children throughout the world. Past honorees include the late Audrey Hepburn for her advocacy and achievements for children in the developing world; Nelson Mandela for his commitment to making the world a safe and peaceful place for children in South Africa and globally; H.M. Queen Noor of Jordan for her efforts to eliminate landmines worldwide; Princess Caroline of Hanover for her work promoting and protecting children's rights worldwide; and Red Sox star David Ortiz for his efforts to establish a pediatric cardiac care unit in the Dominican Republic. Most recently, President Paul Kagame and First Lady Madame Jeannette Kagame of Rwanda were honored for their achievements in education and gender parity for children of their country.

For more information about the event, call 617-266-7534 ext. 105, or go to www.unicefusa.org/anightforhaiti.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

About The Boston Celtics

A charter member of the Basketball Association of America (which evolved into the National Basketball Association) since 1946, the Boston Celtics have won a record 17 NBA Championships, including eight (8) in a row from 1959-1966, and have won NBA titles in four different eras. In addition, 31 former Celtics players, management or staff have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In December 2002 the team returned to local ownership for the first time since 1963. For more information on the Celtics, log on to www.celtics.com.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF