Rock the Runway funds given to charitable causes

The Rock the Runway fundraiser held by Continental Airlines employees was a huge hit last year. That was not only because of the celebrities, including America’s Top Model Bianca Golden, that were flown in for the event, but also because the proceeds were used to host a Christmas party for underprivileged children. News Five’s Delahnie Bain was on hand this morning when the remainder of the funds was donated to other worthy causes.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

Eight thousand dollars was donated to Hand in Hand Ministries, the remainder of proceeds from the Rock the Runway Fashion Show in December. Country Manager for Continental Airlines, Indira Craig, says it is the Toys for Tots Committee’s way of expanding its scope of work.

Indira Craig, Country Manager, Continental Airlines

“The work we’ve been doing consistently over the years has always been to put the party together for the children yes, but we did want to expand our scope and we wanted to work with an organization that is in need. We know where we are locally with AIDs and how much AIDS has affected us as a society and since we do work with children, we wanted it to be something that kinda had a natural fit. So that’s how we came upon Hand in Hand Ministries to work with them.”

Abel Vargas

Abel Vargas, Director of Operations, Hand in Hand Ministries

“A very welcoming gesture on the part of Continental Airlines and we think they are very exemplary people in doing what they do for us right now especially in these challenging times when we need the assistance. This comes like Godsend really. So we’re very excited about it.”

Abel Vargas, the Director of Operations at Hand in Hand Ministries, says the funds will benefit the many children that use their services.

Abel Vargas

“The funds are going to be used primarily in assistance for the children at the Outreach Center, which are children who are affected or infected with HIV/AIDS and a place of concentration will be in nutritional support also in helping to procure medication and antibiotic for opportunistic infections.”

Indira Craig

“We do want to focus on underprivileged children, children in need so I know that we will continue to work with Hand in Hand. They have earmarked the funds that we are giving to them towards a feeding program and we would want to see how we can continue to contribute to allow that feeding program to continue to exist. We will be working with Mercy Care clinic and kitchen with repainting their facility and hopefully just doing a bit of outreach programs throughout the course of the year.”

Indira Craig

The Toys for Tots committee is also making a donation to the Haiti relief efforts.

Indira Craig

“We are also giving two thousand dollars towards the Haiti relief fund. I know it’s not a sizeable amount but for a small committee, we just wanted to do our part in making a difference so hopefully the two thousand can help in some small way.”

Delahnie Bain for News Five.