Adopt-A-Minefield Issues Global Call to Action For Night of A Thousand Dinners(TM)
December 5 Event to Support Mine Clearance and Survivor Assistance
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign has issued a call to action for all Americans to participate in the second annual Night of A Thousand Dinners on Thursday, December 5, 2002, to raise funds for mine clearance and survivor assistance around the world. Government leaders, caring citizens, diplomats, celebrities and organizations will host dinners in their homes and other venues in a demonstration of solidarity to resolve the global landmine crisis. For information on how to participate in this important event, please visit
http://www.1000dinners.com, or call 212-907-1307.
"The presence of landmines prevents people from going about their daily lives long after wars end. Fields cannot be farmed, children cannot attend school, people cannot work without the fear of stepping on a landmine," said Nahela Hadi, Acting Executive Director, Adopt-A-Minefield. "Night of A Thousand Dinners celebrates one of the basic human experiences -- sharing food together -- so that others will be able to grow and provide food for their
communities in safety. As an Afghan-American, this effort is especially close to my heart."
"Whether someone chooses to host a dinner, attend as a guest or simply make a donation, taking part in the Night of A Thousand Dinners will help to improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of people worldwide," said Heather Mills McCartney who along with her husband, Sir Paul McCartney, are Adopt-A-Minefield Goodwill Ambassadors and Patrons. Night of A Thousand Dinners has garnered broad celebrity support. Its Artists' Committee includes Alec Baldwin, Eric Clapton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Billy Joel, Lucy Liu, Joni Mitchell, Rosie O' Donnell, Robert Redford, Susan Sarandon and Kevin Spacey.
Other prominent supporters include Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London; and Colin L. Powell, U.S. Secretary of State. Participating organizations include Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and Roots of Peace's Harvest of Hope Campaign. Adopt-A-Minefield's corporate partner, Federated's INC International Concepts clothing line, is promoting the event to 1.1 million homes. INC is also giving a "No More Landmines" T-shirt designed by Ms. Mills McCartney to the first 1,000 hosts who join.
A program of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), Adopt-A-Minefield supports the United Nations mine clearance operations in partnership with the U.S. State Department and Ted Turner's Better World Fund. The Campaign's mission is to return land to productive use by clearing landmines to allow for the rebuilding of homes and schools, safe return of refugees, and reintegration of landmine survivors into their communities.
Adopt-A-Minefield raises funds to support mine clearance and survivor assistance efforts in six of the most mine-affected countries in the world.
Since its launch in 1999, the Campaign has raised over $6 million and cleared 3 million square meters of land, with another 3 million square meters currently under clearance. "As the nation's largest foreign policy membership organization, UNA-USA is proud to bring together Americans from all walks of life with the United Nations to resolve a global problem," stated Ambassador Nancy Rubin, Chair, Adopt-A-Minefield.
In 2001, the first Night of A Thousand Dinners raised $1.4 million in more than 35 countries, with events ranging from intimate gatherings to galas, and catered events to potluck dinners. "Americans have an instinctive generosity and compassion for those in need," Ms. Hadi said. "These funds allow thousands to return to their homes, cultivate their land and reclaim their lives."
More information about Adopt-A-Minefield can be found at
http://WWW.LANDMINES.ORG .