Friday, January 12, 2001

Publisher's Note ~ Charity Benefits

There's enough buzz in the industry to keep things spurring forward, despite the media's insistence on playing up the downturn. And this January, there are enough events to keep one's mind busy and focused on the business at hand -- making business and money.

This month is also marked by two significant charity benefits. The Association for Interactive Media held its evening of charity event on January 10th, and we will be hosting our 3rd Silicon Alley Black Tie benefit on January 25th. There are some significant differences between these events, as indicated below.

AIM's event focused on raising awareness and money for three Children's charities (illness, life skills and missing). The Cocktails with Courtney event will benefit one. We are working with a NYC public school to bring the students technology and access. AIM had a cocktail hour, silent auction and sit-down dinner. In keeping with that tradition, we will feature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. AIM housed their event at the opulent Russian Tea Room for a second year in a row. We will be moving from the extravagant Metropolitan Club to the trendy and simply elegant W Hotel on Union Square. AIM had significant sponsorship. We had the unfortunate experience of having our original lead sponsor pull out two-and-a-half weeks before our event.

Thus, AIM's event went off smashingly, while I am entreating all my devoted readers -- and anyone to whom you can forward this newsletter -- to please help us ensure a successful event. And please Rsvp for our benefit on January 25th. We are trying to raise as much money as we can for the East Harlem Career Academy-a junior high school focused on careers and technology. If your firm has some cash to donate, please let us know. If you have time to mentor; teach a class; host an open house; or donate hardware, software or services, please let us know. This is a year-long initiative, and we will be signing up companies throughout the year. This event is our kick-off to a year of charity and volunteerism. We need to focus on our future generations as our country moves into a new era of political leadership and economic change.

Please lend your support by coming, volunteering, getting your company involved, and signing up as a sponsor.

Thank you all for considering this, and for remembering that charity Begins at home. We must care for our city, the children in our city, and the personal and social benefits of such actions.

For more information: AIM / CWC