Ralph Lauren and Next Generation event helps Haiti

There are many ways to get involved in supporting UNICEF's emergency relief in Haiti. For more information visit our Volunteer Center where you can view a listing of upcoming events, or apply to host a fundraiser of your own.

Caroline Johnston Polisi is a member of UNICEF's Next Generation Steering Committee. This is her second post on Fieldnotes.

Fellow members of UNICEF'S Next Generation Steering Committee and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we witnessed last week at Ralph Lauren's Soho store, where an evening of private shopping helped raise funds for UNICEF's work in Haiti.

Patrick McMullan

(Left to Right) Lauren Bush, David Lauren, Pamela Fiori, Robert Thompson, Caryl Stern

David Lauren, Next Gen member, teamed up with Lauren Bush, Barbara Bush and the entire Next Generation Steering Committee to host the event. Ralph Lauren generously offered to provide guests with a 20% discount on all purchases during the evening; more important, the company donated 20% of all sales directly to UNICEF's lifesaving work in Haiti.

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There are many ways to get involved in supporting UNICEF's emergency relief in Haiti. For more information visit our Volunteer Center where you can view a listing of upcoming events, or apply to host a fundraiser of your own.

Caroline Johnston Polisi is a member of UNICEF's Next Generation Steering Committee. This is her second post on Fieldnotes.

Fellow members of UNICEF'S Next Generation Steering Committee and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we witnessed last week at Ralph Lauren's Soho store, where an evening of private shopping helped raise funds for UNICEF's work in Haiti.

Patrick McMullan

(Left to Right) Lauren Bush, David Lauren, Pamela Fiori, Robert Thompson, Caryl Stern

David Lauren, Next Gen member, teamed up with Lauren Bush, Barbara Bush and the entire Next Generation Steering Committee to host the event. Ralph Lauren generously provided guests with a 20% discount on all purchases during the evening; more importantly, the company donated 20% of all sales directly to UNICEF's lifesaving work in Haiti.

Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund, was proud to report that UNICEF's work on the ground in Haiti - distributing clean water to over half a million people on a daily basis, protecting children from exploitation and abuse, and providing those children without parental care personal kits - has already helped save lives.

Since Next Generation recently met our target of $175,000 for our inaugural project, "Project Sprinkles," we are in a position to accept a new cause. After hearing briefings on several possible projects around the world, we have chosen recovery in Haiti as our next focus. Our decision was supported by members with emergency relief effort experience, who noted that while support for Haiti may seem strong now, sustaining the effort long after media attention has dwindled is vital. UNICEF representatives shared their perspective, noting that 40% of the population of Haiti is under age 14. It is not not simply a state of emergency, but a children's emergency.

While the goal for the shopping event was serious, guests weren't afraid to have some fun while supporting UNICEF - who doesn't love shopping for a cause?! The uber-trendy Soho store was transformed into a dazzling event space. One guest, Vanessa Haas, came to the event to support her friends on the committee, and ended up leaving not only with a killer pair of distressed denim jeans for her fiancée, but also with a new passion for the cause. "While I was familiar with UNICEF's work, this was the first event I'd been to. I was so impressed with how accessible the organization is and the event made me want to learn more about getting involved with the organization," said Haas.

The event was a huge success, raising not only much-needed funds for the people of Haiti, but also awareness about UNICEF's lifesaving work for children around the world. The night inspired me once again, and made me so very proud to be a part of UNICEF's Next Generation.

To join UNICEF's Next Generation, please visit: www.unicefusa.org/joinnextgeneration