2005 Adopt-A-Minefield Gala Raises $3 Million; Online Auction Kicks Off and Will Run Through Nov. 29

2005 Adopt-A-Minefield Gala Raises $3 Million; Online Auction Kicks Off and Will Run Through Nov. 29

Fifth Annual Benefit Highlighted by Performances by Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett; Live Auction of Musical Memorabilia & Luxury Vacations Led by Master of Ceremonies Jay Leno; Online Auction and Sweepstakes for Paul McCartney Signature Edition Lexus RX 400h Hybrid SUV

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Raising awareness of a pervasive global problem while raising hopes for a safer world, the fifth annual Adopt-A-Minefield(R) gala took place last night, November 15th, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. A leader in addressing the worldwide landmine crisis, the organization raised approximately $2 million through the evening's ticket sales and auction items, plus an additional $1 million dollars generously donated by Gibson Guitars. Adopt-A-Minefield hopes to raise more through an online auction that kicked off last night and will run through November 29. MC'd by Jay Leno, the gala was hosted by Adopt-A-Minefield Goodwill Ambassadors Heather Mills McCartney and Paul McCartney, who shared the stage with Tony Bennett as the evening's headline performers.

The centerpiece of the evening was its spotlight of two honorees: Farah Ahmedi, a 17-year-old Afghan refugee and landmine survivor now living and attending school in Chicago and serving as Adopt-A-Minefield's new Youth Ambassador, and Juanes, the twelve-time Latin Grammy winner and one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World," whose Spanish-language songs have become anthems of peace across the globe. As a figure at the forefront of landmine awareness and removal in his native Colombia, Juanes' award officially launches Adopt-A-Minefield's new initiative to raise funds for survivor assistance in Colombia.

Attending the benefit gala were such celebrities such as Ray Romano, Tony Bennett, Alec Baldwin, Pam Anderson, Quincy Jones, Andy Garcia, Cameron Crowe, Cheryl Hines, JC Chasez, Julia Ormond, Josh Groban and January Jones.

A silent auction began as cocktails were served, followed by dinner and a live auction led by Master of Ceremonies Jay Leno. Among those items up for bid at the gala: a custom-designed "vegan" Cadillac CTS Sport Vehicle signed by Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett; a Prototype No. 2, of only two made, of the limited-edition Paul McCartney Epiphone Texan Series from Gibson Guitar (identical to the one he used to record "Yesterday"); and one of the evening's biggest highlights was a copy of the legendary White Album signed by all four Beatles, that went for $85,000.

The Adopt-A-Minefield event also served to launch its second annual online auction, which will run through November 29 at www.CharityFolks.com. Music lovers can bid on instruments autographed by the likes of Sting, Phil Collins, James Taylor, John Mayer and Tom Petty; the chance to play golf with Alice Cooper at his private course in Scottsdale, to visit the set of the TV show Reba or to enjoy VIP tickets to shows by Duran Duran, Joss Stone and Cyndi Lauper. Not to mention first-class vacations to London, Hawaii, the Caribbean and other destinations, as well as boxing gloves personalized to the winner by pugilist legend Muhammad Ali.

Charity Folks is also hosting a sweepstakes for a Paul McCartney Signature Edition Lexus RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV. The vehicle's graphic theme reflects two items that have become iconic of McCartney's image and career -- a 1962 Hofner bass and VOX(R) AC30 amplifier. Their lines and textures are incorporated throughout the vehicle design in a way that is both dramatic and classic. Estimated between $500,000 and $1 million in value, the sweepstakes includes a 1962 reissue Hofner bass, VOX AC30 amp, U.S. tour merchandise and McCartney CD catalog. No purchase is necessary, but sweepstakes participants receive one entry for every $10 (up to $50) they donate to Adopt-A-Minefield. The sweepstakes runs through March 31, 2006 and the winner will be selected on or about April 15th.

It's been gratifying to see so much money raised through our first five galas alone. But while we work diligently to clear minefields and help survivors, we must stop production of new mines entirely to rid the world of these deadly, unnecessary weapons," said Paul McCartney, noting the cost of producing a landmine (as little as $3) compared to the cost of removal (up to $1,000). "We've come a long way since the 1997 treaty that bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of mines, but we have a long way to go. Although it's been ratified by 135 countries, the U.S., China and Russia have not, and it's critical that the international community continues to pressure these nations to 'clear a path to a safer world,'" stated Heather Mills McCartney.

About Adopt-A-Minefield

Landmines are one of the most serious humanitarian problems facing a full one-third of the world's nations. It is estimated that 60-70 million landmines are currently in the ground in at least 70 countries, and 30-40% of all victims are children under 15, according to UNICEF.

Adopt-A-Minefield is a campaign of the United Nations Association of the USA in partnership with the United Nations and Ted Turner's Better World Fund. Its main goals are to clear minefields, provide assistance to landmine survivors, and raise awareness about the global landmine crisis. With partner campaigns in the UK, Sweden and Canada, the campaign to date has raised over $16 million and cleared 5,000 acres of high priority land in the most heavily mined countries in the world, including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Mozambique and Vietnam. Recognized today as the top private donor to mine action in the world, Adopt-A-Minefield has engaged well over 300,000 people worldwide in resolving one of the most serious humanitarian problems facing a full one-third of the world's nations. For further information on Adopt-A-Minefield, please call (212) 907-1300 or visit the website at www.landmines.org.

Media contacts: Amy Rawi / Kelly Striewski
(310) 248-6142 / (310) 248-6164
arawi@bwr-la.com / kstriewski@bwr-la.com

Source: Adopt-A-Minefield

CONTACT: Amy Rawi, +1-310-248-6142, arawi@bwr-la.com, or Kelly
Striewski, +1-310-248-6164, kstriewski@bwr-la.com, both for Adopt-A-Minefield

Web site: http://www.landmines.org/
http://www.charityfolks.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos Available: Corbis: Entertainment http://pro.corbis.com/sectionfront/default.aspx?Category=7

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