CHARITY AUCTION RAISES $23,000

Courtesy of Thanhnien Daily

Gifts from Miss Universe contestants and a painting signed by all of the competitors raised over US$23,000 at a charity auction held by Thanh Nien last night.

Proceeds from the gala dinner and auction in Ho Chi Minh City were donated to the Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to disadvantaged students.

A painting with the contestants signatures sold for VND180 million ($10,770), while gifts brought by the Miss Universe competitors were sold for a total of $12,730.

The 80 beauties brought a range of items – jewelry, artwork, watches and clothes – as souvenirs of their home countries.

Miss South Africa’s vuvuzela, an air horn commonly used at football games, was adorned with traditional South African beading.

Miss Finland’s gift, a landscape of a village covered in snow, was created by her father, a Finnish artist.

It turned out that the event coincided with Miss Brazil Natalia Anderle’s 23rd birthday, which she was able to share with the 500 guests at the Sheraton Saigon .

Monday afternoon, the women visited the Tam Binh Children Assistance Center in Thu Duc District and District 10’s Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for Blind Children, where they offered gifts and encouragement to the children.

At Tam Binh, which houses over 300 children – many of whom are disabled, HIV-positive or living with AIDS – Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori delivered a speech.

“I became Miss Universe thanks to my parents’ support. Coming here, I understand that I am so lucky to have a family,” she said.

The beauty queen was moved to tears as she said, “I wish I could bring you all home.”

Miss Universe 2008 Charity Auction Photo Gallery

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