Launch of annual event seeks to elevate awareness on charity organisation honourees and the impact of their work in the region

March 10, 2010

‘The Noble Humanitarian Awards Middle East’, a prestigious annual gathering that recognises the achievements of philanthropic organisations, will be staged in the Middle East for the first time to honour regional charities for their outstanding humanitarian programs. The event, which will be held at the Emirates Palace on April 24th, 2010, aims to elevate awareness on the work of regional and international charity organisations and the impact of their work in the lives of people across the globe. The gala is being organised by The Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a U.S non-profit organisation working to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and citizens to create an effective forum for change.

Among the many charity organisation-honourees this year is the Dubai Autism Centre, Dubai Cares, Friends of Cancer Patients Society, Gulf for Good, Life for Relief & Development, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Representatives from the said organisations are set to receive an award sculpture designed by Hollywood star and philanthropist Antonio Banderas, with personal touches to the award added by children. With the event also set to feature live performances by regional as well as international artists, the star-studded ‘Noble Humanitarian Awards Middle East’ gala is scheduled to be broadcast throughout the region on free-to-air channels including Abu Dhabi TV.

“It is truly an inspiration to gather all these wonderful and generous people who are driving their individual humanitarian organisations’ efforts to make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged, and we are proud to honour them and their altruistic work with ‘The Noble Humanitarian Awarda Middle East’,” said Janeen Mansour, Founder, The Noble Humanitarian Awards. “We are also hoping to inspire the next generation to ‘Be a Noble’ throughout their lives by honouring the people they look up to and admire.”

Inspired by the 1st Annual Noble Humanitarian Awards program held in the US in 2009, the Middle East event is part of a global year-round movement being created to harness the growing focus, dedication and inspiration of celebrities, non-profit organisations and the public. It also aims to honour regional celebrities and organisation that use their status and resources to create awareness, build knowledge and realise notable achievements various communities and groups by investing in the causes they stand behind.

“In addition to honouring charity organisations during the event, we are also looking forward to recognising an elite group of individuals who have given exemplary contributions towards pushing various philanthropic causes through their dedicated programs and initiatives, influence over various groups, as well as financial support. We aim to provide more exposure to the good they are doing, which will hopefully gather up much needed support from each and every individual who they have inspired and moved to action,” concluded Mansour.

• 19 GE employees take part in the ‘highest accredited road race in the Middle East’
• Raise over AED 33,000 for Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs

Dubai, UAE; February 27, 2010: General Electric (GE) employees in the United Arab Emirates took part in the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon, described as the ‘highest accredited road race in the Middle East’ to raise funds for a local charity.

Nineteen GE Volunteers took part in the grueling marathon run covering a distance of 21.095 km and raised over AED 33,000 to be donated to Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.

Nabil Habayeb, GE’s President and CEO for the Middle East and Africa region, said: “GE Volunteers in the Middle East are active participants in events that have brought tangible results to different cross-sections of the society. This is an integral part of the company’s culture, and we will continue participating in such events in the future.”

The RAK Half Marathon, currently in the fourth year, is organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The event, which has been awarded the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Silver Label and is an associated member of the Association of International Road Races and Distance Running (AIMS), brings together people from different walks of life to test marathon skills while raising funds for a social cause. 

Hasan Dandashly, Regional General Manager in Energy, and GE Volunteers UAE co-leader  who lead the event said, “Uniting for a worthy cause has a lasting effect on both the community and the participants. The RAK Half Marathon is one of the exceptional events - not only does it contribute positively to society, but it also encourages a healthy lifestyle.”

GE Volunteers, who regularly take part in a range of community initiatives, formed one of the strong contingents of corporate participants in the RAK Half Marathon. Other employees and family members from the company also attended the event to cheer the team.

Some of the initiatives that the GE volunteer teams throughout the GCC countries have taken up include hosting Iftar for children with special needs, blood donation campaigns, and participation in the ‘Stand Up to End Poverty’ campaign. They have also volunteered for several social events to help communities in the region.

Some 175 GE Volunteer Councils in 46 countries and over 100,000 volunteers undertake over 1 million hours of community service every year. GE Volunteers places emphasis on education, environment, healthcare and overall community development.

AED 525,000 presented to Red Crescent Society as month long fund raising activities conclude

Giothon - Hakbang Buhay (Walk for Life-Flood Relief) donated AED 525,000 to the Red Crescent Society – Dubai Chapter. Read the full story

• Auction of film memorabilia and haute couture packages planned

• Raised a total of AED 17.6 million (US$4.8 million) in the past two years

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Read the full story

Move in line with company’s CSR initiatives towards uplifting the value of human life

Eirik Kristensen, Regional Marketing Manager - MENA, Jotun Paints

Jotun, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has recently organised a company-wide blood donation drive at the regional headquarters of its two divisions - Jotun Paints and Jotun Powder Coatings - in Al Quoz industrial area, Dubai. The campaign was held in co-operation with Al Wasl Hospital, Read the full story

• 173 million people participate in Stand Up & Take Action to End Poverty Campaign 2009

• 550 Dulsco employees join 64,641 UAE participants

More than 550 Dulsco employees recently participated in the Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty Campaign, which was held worldwide between October 16th – 18th, 2009.  During the event, Dulsco, one of the leading service providers of manpower outsourcing and waste management services in UAE and Qatar, Read the full story

Students and parents of GEMS Wellington International School (GWIS) have collected over AED 88,250 worth of toiletries and other items as a part of the Helping Hands annual Shoebox appeal to help the laborers of Dubai.

The annual appeal asks for donations of shoeboxes filled with items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, towels, t-shirts, etc. These boxes are seen as a gesture of appreciation for the labourers - some of which can earn as little as AED 300 per month. Read the full story

Launches donation drive and participates in ‘Stand Up and Take Action’ campaign organised to achieve UN Millennium Development Goals

Anthony J O’Donnell, General Manager of Times Square Center (left) and Nashwan Mohammad Saeed, Acting Deputy Chief of Finance Department at Beit Al Khair Society (right) making a donation during the launch of the campaign

Times Square Center (TSC), one of the newest community oriented shopping centers in Dubai, has announced today the launch of a donation drive called – ‘Experience the Power of Giving’ – to complement its participation in the international campaign ‘Stand Up and Take Action’, which specially focuses on poverty and hunger this year. In the UAE, the campaign Read the full story

Relief effort will assist families affected by the tragedy

The management and staff of Samaya Hotels & Resorts donate to the victims of Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines

As part of the relief efforts for the Philippines, the management and staff of Samaya Hotels & Resorts donated several boxes of food and clothes to the victims of Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Read the full story

‘Hakbang Buhay’, Walk for Life to take place on Friday October 9 at Safa Park, Dubai

In the wake of typhoon Ketsana ( Ondoy ), that has caused widespread  flooding, the loss of lives and rendered over two million people homeless in the Philippines, a fund raising event under the auspices of the Red Crescent Society – Dubai Chapter. Read the full story