Following last year's unprecedented success, The Big Ball, an initiative by the Media and Creative Industry, is gearing up for the second edition of the annual charity event, to be held on 1st June 2008 at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai with the aim to create a better future for children through education.

This year, The Big Ball will be honored with the presence of Nancy Ajram who says, "The Big Ball is doing a wonderful thing and I'm happy to support it. I'm coming for my love of children and because I want to help underprivileged children find a happy place in this world. Children inspired my latest album ‘Shakhbat Shakhabit and especially the song Resala lel3alam' (A Message to the World).'

The who's who of the media, creative and entertainment industries as well as guests from the region's top blue chip businesses and corporations will attend the evening. The Big Ball, presented by Blink Studios, is endorsed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Advertising Association (IAA) and the Consulate General of Lebanon in Dubai, who will be lending their full support to this initiative.

The committee headed by Barry Kirsch of BKP Music, aims to raise a total of $250,000 in order to support the education of underprivileged children through UNICEF (the Adopt-A-School programme in Lebanon) and to support the children of the Dubai Autism Centre.
 

"The overwhelming support extended by members of the media, creative and entertainment industry in Dubai showed the magnanimity and solidarity of the group. What is more important is the fact that we have been blessed to be able to share part of our good fortune with the less privileged for the second consecutive year," said Barry Kirsch, founder of The Big Ball Project, and owner of BKP Music.

The Big Ball donated $103,270 through sponsorships, donations, and auction proceeds from the 2007 event to the UNICEF-Adopt-A-School Programme in Lebanon. The money was allocated to rehabilitate Al-Abdeh Mixed Public School in Akkar and to provide clean water, sanitation facilities to all the children in addition to training and capacity building programmes for all its' teachers.

Tarek Shayya, Chief of Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF, commended the organising committee on the launch of the 2nd annual The Big Ball saying: "We are honoured to be part of such a passionate project and to be able to work with such a dynamic team of creative professionals. Last year's event was a huge success and helped secure a child friendly school and quality education for children in Akkar and we are looking forward to an even more successful collaboration this year."

Jyoti Rana, Director for The Big Ball promised an even bigger spectacle in 2008 and said: "We're targeting more than 700 guests to attend one of Dubai's most important social events. The evening will include impeccable dining and entertainment as well as a unique auction, hosted by Dave Crane. Nancy Ajram is adding a personal touch by auctioning one of her own favorite dresses! The auction will also host items such as a one-of-a-kind collage of the writings of the desires for the future of children by celebrities such as Celine Dion, Mahmoud Yassin, Omar Sharif, Nancy Ajram, Tony Shaloub, Nelly Furtado, Rahul Bose, Paulo Coelho and more; an original Les Paul Guitar, and a never-before-been published photograph of Ray Charles by Gilles Philippot. Significantly, this will be the occasion when the media, creative and entertainment industry professionals in Dubai gather as one family to create a difference in the lives of others."

The Big Ball 2008 is proud to be presented by Blink Studios and sponsored by Silver Sponsors: enjaz, therightslawyers, GMMOS, Steve Marney; Media Sponsors: Dubai TV and 7Days; Event Production Sponsor: Action Impact; Creative Sponsor: LeoBurnett, and supported by BKP Studios and African & Eastern.

From Arabianbusiness.com