Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Chabad's Children of Chernobyl 2nd Annual Beer Garden and Date Auction

Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff

This Summer I had a chance to be one of the bachelorette’s in Chabad Children of Chernobyl’s 2nd Annual Beer Garden and Date Auction at Ainsworth Park in New York.  

Prior to the event I noticed that CCOC was looking for bachelors and bachelorettes to be ‘auctioned off' for a date. I immediately reached out for consideration as it looked like a fun way to help a cause that hits very close to home for me. I’m originally from Ukraine and grew up a few cities away from where the Chernobyl disaster happened in 1986. The Nuclear Reactor explosion caused people in the region to suffer physically, mentally, and financially. By 1990, the radiation from the explosion reached epidemic proportions. The land, air and water throughout the Chernobyl ecosystem were completely contaminated and as a result the food, drinking water, and air that the children in the area were exposed to were greatly affected. 

That same year, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, advocated for these many helpless children, and Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl was established.

The primary goal of CCOC is to rescue the children of Chernobyl, relocating them to Israel, the only country in the world that accepts them on a permanent basis. In addition, CCOC also provides the kids with critical medical care, new homes and an excellent education.

To date, Chabad Children of Chernobyl saved 2,835 children on 98 rescue flights... and counting.

Visit ccoc.net to learn more about their rescue efforts and opportunities to donate. 
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
The bachelors/bachelorettes were given a red sash to wear and a rose to give to their highest bidder. Guest speaker and auctioneer, Georgina Rose, MD and Author of Are you Ready for the One hosted the auction. I was both excited and a little nervous to be the first one auctioned off.

Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff

Suddenly my life became like a movie as my name was read off and my favorite song, "I Love It" by Icona Pop started to play. A pure adrenaline rush of excitement kicked in as I strutted my way down the makeshift runway. All eyes were on me and of course I wasn’t hard to miss with my bright neon yellow lace Marc by Marc Jacobs dress. 

Thank you so much to CCOC for including me as one of the bachelorettes. It was both an unforgettable and rewarding experience to know that my efforts were aiding in the mission of rescuing children from Chernobyl, Ukraine. 

I'm happy to report that the Beer Garden and Date Auction ended up being a huge success as over $12,000 was raised between ticket sales and date auction bids!

Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff
Photo Credit: Robert Benimoff

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