Glasswing Gala Raises Record-Breaking Sum

*Eglantina Zingg, Donna Karan, Carmen, Celina de Sola, Jana Pasquel de Shapiro and fellow Glasswing supporters.*

Last Thursday evening, over 300 of Glasswing International’s closest supporters gathered in New York City for the charity’s fourth annual gala, and raised a record-breaking $675,000 to continue transforming communities across Latin America.

Co-chaired by Carmen, who serves on the Glasswing board, the event at the Tribeca Rooftop was staged in honor of Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi Latin America, for Citi’s and Citi Foundation’s notable work with the organization on the Pathways to Progress initiative. “Thanks to Citi and the Citi Foundation over 3,000 students in five countries have benefited from the Youth L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development) program,” said Glasswing co-founder Celina de Sola. And Ms Fraser announced a further $1 million of support from the Citi Foundation to help the charity continue its work.

*Carmen, who serves on the Glasswing board, was one of the evening's co-chairs.*

Glasswing International gives children across Latin America access to quality education and safe spaces in some of the most challenging circumstances, and this year, thanks to financial support from Carmen, has extended its work into US communities. "In our work, we see kids facing seemingly insurmountable challenges on a daily basis. The potential of this young and resilient generation is being thwarted by external factors such as conflict and a lack of opportunity. When kids are given access to quality education, safe spaces, mentorship, and a community that believes in them, we can unlock their potential and really transform lives," said Celina de Sola.

*Glasswing co-founder Celina de Sola with supporter Mary Kate Olsen.*

Among the business leaders and social figures in attendance at the event were Glasswing’s two other co-founders Ken Baker and Diego de Sola, Carmen’s co-chairs Jana Pasquel de Shapiro, Olivier Sarkozy and Chris Varelas, Glasswing Ambassador Fernando Palomo, Gabriela and Austin Hearst, Donna Karan, MAISON-DE-MODE.COM's Hassan Pierre, Goleadoras founder Eglantina Zingg, and jewelry designer Nina Runsdorf. And the funds they raised during the night’s fund-a-need auction will be directed to Glasswing's education and health programs.

*Celina de Sola with a Glasswing student from Guatemala.*

The highlight of the evening was when Ana, a 17-year-old Glasswing student currently enrolled in the Youth L.E.A.D. program, spoke about her own experience as a young adult in Guatemala. "Through the program, I learned how to run my own business and how to budget. I now know how much I should earn based on what I produce. I am no longer shy, I am no longer insecure, I am no longer afraid to look for opportunities, and I have learned to be confident in my decisions," she said.