TORONTO - A star-studded Toronto benefit gala hosted by Matt Damon has brought in $1 million in support of domestic and global children's charities.
The One X One Foundation said it is on course to achieving its goal to raise $5 million in the 2007-2008 fundraising year, surpassing previous years. The $1 million raised was from silent and live auctions at the event last Sunday. Figures on proceeds garnered from table and ticket sales weren't immediately available.
Damon hosted the fundraiser for the second consecutive year, while Grammy winner Wyclef Jean headed up musical leadership of the gala.
Jean was among the award recipients honoured during the benefit for their humanitarian works. Others included Richard Gere, supermodel Petra Nemcova, Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
One X One founder Joelle Berdugo Adler said having Damon take part in the gala "means the world."
"Besides being the most amazing actor, the most important thing about him is that he's such a genuine, wonderful, kind compassionate man, and he really does it all for the right reasons," she said in an interview from Montreal.
In an interview before the fundraiser, Damon said participation in an event like One X One was a "no-brainer" for him.
"This event is so great, and it's such a huge fundraiser," said the Oscar winner. "The people that show up, the Canadians that turn out for this are just real heavy hitters, and they're there to make an impact."
The One X One foundation is a charitable organization committed to fighting poverty and improving the lives of children in Canada and around the world, supporting groups including War Child Canada, Right to Play, the African Children's Choir and Spread the Net.
Adler said projects in the works include Healthy Kids International setting up a catheterization laboratory in Rwanda to fix children's hearts and valves. Children who drink bad water are at risk of streptococcus bacteria, which without penicillin treatment ends up attacking their valves and hearts, she said.
Adler said a "huge amount" of One X One's resources will be spent to benefit First Nations communities in Canada.
