Beijing, March 12, 2005 - “Fire and Ice” was the theme of this year’s AmCham Shanghai Charity Ball, with proceeds from the evening donated to support the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai. All proceeds from the ball, including live and silent auction donations, raffle ticket sales, as well as a percentage of the ticket sales, will help to make the 2007 World Summer Games a huge success!

This is the 3rd year in a row that Special Olympics has benefited from the AmCham Shanghai Charity Ball. The 2004 Ball raised over US$54,000 to support the 2007 World Summer Games preparation, as well as sports training activities in Shanghai. This year’s live auction included a GM van that was auctioned off for US$30,000 and a trip to Chicago sold for US$8,000. The Chicago trip was donated by United Airlines (airfare) and Marriott International (accommodations).

Dr. Shi Derong, CEO of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Executive Committee, made remarks at the ball, thanking AmCham Shanghai for all their support for the upcoming Games. Also in attendance at the charity ball were Wang Xuedong, Director of Marketing and Development for the China Disabled Persons' Federation; Doug Spelman, US Shanghai Consul General; and Jeffrey Bernstein, Chairman of AmCham Shanghai.

The attendees had a wonderful evening of auction and raffle activities, dancing and dinner at the charity ball, and all played a part in supporting Special Olympics. We are thankful to AmCham Shanghai, all the event and prize sponsors, and attendees of this year’s charity ball for their continuing support for Special Olympics, and especially for the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai.

(l-r: Chairman of AmCham Shanghai Jeffrey Bernstein, Jeffrey's wife Angela, Trish and George Smith of Special Olympics East Asia)

George Smith, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia