ArtRage Gallery in Syracuse, New York, recently hosted a fundraiser event called 'YOU CAN ASK THE SUN' to support Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha [7f512c18]. The event featured film screenings about the Israel-Hamas war and a poetry reading by Abu Toha. The community gathered to raise over $600 for Abu Toha, who is currently in Cairo, Egypt [7f512c18]. The event aimed to create solidarity and support for Abu Toha, who has received recognition for his book of poems about living in Gaza [7f512c18]. The films shown at the event highlighted the struggles faced by Palestinians, and the audience engaged in open discussions about the media presented [7f512c18]. The event provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the situation in Palestine and show their support for Abu Toha [7f512c18].
In addition to the ArtRage fundraiser, another poetry reading event called Poetry for Peace in Palestine is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel, CA [4f448597]. Organized by the Middle East Childrenās Alliance, the event will feature readings by Monterey Peninsula Poets Marie Boucher, Farnaz Fatemi, Rana Issa, Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts, Daniel Summerhill, and Patrice Vecchione. The poets will read poems by Palestinian and Palestinian American poets [4f448597]. The event is co-sponsored by the Middle East Childrenās Alliance, MENA, and Seven Stories Press. The suggested donation for the event is $20, and seating is limited. Tickets can be reserved at the event's website [4f448597].
These poetry events serve as platforms to raise funds and awareness for Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, as well as to highlight the struggles faced by Palestinians and promote peace in Palestine [7f512c18] [4f448597].
Meanwhile, in another effort to support Gaza, a group of Hollywood stars are auctioning off unique and exclusive experiences to raise money for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza [ccf1e69c]. The initiative, called Cinema for Gaza, was launched to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) during Israel's military campaign in the Palestinian territory [ccf1e69c]. Celebrities such as Tilda Swinton, Ramy Youssef, Brian Cox, Peter Capaldi, Josh O'Connor, and more have donated experiences and memorabilia to be auctioned off [ccf1e69c]. Some of the experiences include a Zoom bedtime story read by Tilda Swinton, a Zoom porridge tutorial led by Josh O'Connor, and a Zoom chat over a cup of tea with Joseph Quinn [ccf1e69c]. The auction has already raised over Ā£63,000, with highly demanded items including posters of the film 'The Zone of Interest' donated by director Jonathan Glazer and producer James Wilson [ccf1e69c]. The founders of Cinema for Gaza stress the importance of raising funds for the urgent humanitarian work conducted by MAP, as Israel's bombardment has severely damaged Gaza's healthcare infrastructure [ccf1e69c].
These combined efforts of poetry events and the Hollywood auction aim to support Mosab Abu Toha and raise funds for Gaza's humanitarian crisis, shedding light on the struggles faced by Palestinians and promoting peace in Palestine [7f512c18] [4f448597] [ccf1e69c].
On a different note, Zahara's family has cancelled a fundraiser to buy back her home due to difficulties in organizing a venue [50c9c497]. The fundraising concert was planned to feature artists such as Vusi Nova, Nathi Mankayi, Mawethu Dikiza, Lusanda Mbane, and Khanyisa Nkantsu. They need about R1-million to purchase the house currently occupied by Zahara's brother. The family is now exploring alternative fundraising methods. Zahara, a multi-platinum, award-winning singer/songwriter, died in December at the age of 36. She used her platform to speak out against violence against women in South Africa. The cancellation of the fundraiser is a setback for the family's efforts to preserve Zahara's legacy and keep the house that holds many memories for them [50c9c497].
In Fort St. John, British Columbia, the annual Have-a-Heart Radiothon was held to benefit the Peace Villa Residential Care Facility [344ada54]. The event, which took place outside of Home Hardware on 108 Street, raised over $40,000 [344ada54]. The fundraising goal set by the Hospital Foundation was $50,000, and the money raised will be used to purchase state-of-the-art serene edge mattresses to reduce bedsores and pain for the 125 seniors at Peace Villa [344ada54]. Corporate matching donors Petronas Energy and Dr. Henry Ma of Accent Dental each donated $10,000 [344ada54]. Last year's event exceeded its target of $40,000 by over $14,000 [344ada54]. The radiothon was organized in partnership with Bell Media, CJDC-TV's parent company [344ada54].
These fundraising efforts, including the poetry events and the Have-a-Heart Radiothon, demonstrate the community's commitment to supporting various causes and organizations, from Palestinian poets to humanitarian crises and care homes for seniors [7f512c18] [4f448597] [ccf1e69c] [50c9c497] [344ada54].