NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A big night for Latin superstar Marc Anthony and his foundation Maestro Cares. Many celebrities, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists gathered at Wall Street Cipriani for the 11th annual gala and silent auction.
The proceeds from this event will provide support to help underprivileged children.
Changing the lives of children and building their dreams. That’s what the Maestro Cares Foundation is all about.
“Whether it is the churches, the schools, community centers, meeting with children that we put through schools,” said Marc Anthony. The international music icon and entrepreneur Henry Cárdenas created the foundation 11 years ago in La Romana, Dominican Republic when they opened the first orphanage.
“One Christmas I went, I spent time with them, the Holidays with them, there were 48 kids in a two-bedroom house, and I said, I don’t ever want to see that again and I did something about it,” added Marc.
The Maestro Care's mission is to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged children and communities in Latin America and the United States.
Scholarships are also given to students to help them excel academically.
“When you see someone with a bachelor’s degree that’s why we invest our time,” stated Cardenas.
Or even more than a bachelor’s. Vanessa Malagon is finishing up a master’s degree in construction management from Louisiana State University. All at no cost.
“I think is amazing I struggled a lot when I was getting my bachelor’s and here, I was really loving to be able to focus on what is the important part,’ said Malagon,
Many of Marc’s friends said yes to the mission Tuesday evening.
“This is quite a production, but it is not a party. It is to raise awareness, bring in the people that have deep pockets, and start making a difference,” said actor and TV personality, Carlos Ponce.
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy-nominated actress and choreographer, Rosie Perez was honored with the Maestro Cares Courage to CareAward.
“We can’t be prejudiced against children who are born into a certain situation either poverty, abuse, or neglect, so we need organizations like this to make a difference in the world,” said Perez.
Actress Diana Ramirez and our very own Marisol Castros took over the stage MCs of the night.
“This a part of who we are as messengers of something bigger that really moves me and I love being a part of it,” said Ramirez.
“This obviously means so much to a Boricua born and bred here in NYC. To raise awareness for education, and marginalized communities. Headlined by the one and only Marc Anthony,” Added Castro.
As Marc Anthony, who is a father 7 says, It is about shaping the future for these children in a safe and healthy environment
“it’s giving a helping hand. Community centers saved my life. was born and raised in east Harlem, and I am a product of those programs.” Concluded Marc.
To this date, the Maestro Cares Foundation has funded 39 projects in 16 Latin American countries. Supporting children's developmental and academic needs.
