In yet another victory for the Special Olympics Movement, the third annual Very Special Christmas Gala raised nearly $100,000 in support of athlete training programs and competitions for Special Olympics China athletes. The amazing Beijing Laffitte Castle Park - a luxurious French chateau on the outskirts of Beijing - hosted the over 360 guests attending the Gala; and, for the second year in a row, a 2500 series Beijing Jeep was donated by the Beijing Jeep Corporation for the live auction. Through the support and donations of these companies as well as many others, this year's event outshined the previous year's gala as more money was spent on more auction items!

The event's theme of "Changing Attitudes...Changing the World" will be implemented through the generosity of the guests and donors. All funds raised during the evening will go to support Special Olympics China athletes traveling to Nagano, Japan to participate in the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter games in addition to several current training and development initiatives taking place throughout China. The support of the guests has made it possible to continue Special Olympics mission of changing attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities and thereby changing the world.

The success of the Gala was due in great part to the generous support and donations by individuals and corporations. Use of the palatial Beijing Laffitte Castle Park and the evening's food and refreshments were donated by the event's two Presenting Sponsors -- Mr. YuChen Zhang of the Beijing Laffitte Castle Park and Chris & Cheryl Harper of Harper & Harper. Our Platinum Partner, Sun Life Everbright  sponsored the performance by Night Shift, the premier band of the Hard Rock Cafe.  Numerous other sponsors donated goods and services which made the evening possible. Seven corporations also showed their support by purchasing corporate tables for the event.

It was however, the donations of auction items which brought many of the guests out to the Laffitte Castle Park to support Special Olympics. The live auction was expertly conducted by the team of Mr. Ji Xiaojun, host of Culture Express, and Ms. Freda Fung, of Coca-Cola, ably assisted by Special Olympics athletes Jia Sirui and Judy Yang. The live auction items included a trip to Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua in Bali, an exquisite pearl earring, necklace, and ring set from Fanghua Pearls, and back by popular demand - a Houston Rockets Jersey autographed by Yao Ming and a 2500 series Beijing Jeep. Sun Life Everbright Vice President, Andrew Cheung and his wife, Teresa, submitted the winning bid on the Beijing Jeep - $18,000!! Almost 90 other items were offered in the silent auction.

After the close of the live and silent auctions, Night Shift band rocked the Castle Park as guests and Special Olympics athletes danced the night away. So, as the year winds to a close, the generosity of Beijing's Special Olympics supporters has once again ensured that the Movement will continue to grow. Special Olympics athletes in China will be able to compete internationally at the next Winter Games and that the Movement will continue to develop and expand within China.