$349,800 in Circus Couture donations help the nonprofit achieve new record
LAS VEGAS – October 10, 2016 – It turned out to be a “Lucky” night at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
Donations during Circus Couture’s most recent fundraising event, “Lucky,” allowed the all-volunteer charity to achieve an incredible milestone: surpassing the $1 million dollar mark in donations since the event was founded in 2010.
A total of $349,800 was donated at the event on Friday, October 7, 2016, through live and silent auctions, ticket sales, table sponsorships, and donations, including those offered after the on-stage head shaving of Mary-Mike Linz. Her head shave, done in honor of children fighting cancer, many of whom lose their hair due to chemotherapy, was carried out in front of the audience by her daughter,Erica Linz, co-founder of Circus Couture. A $100,000 donation by Criss Angel to Circus Couture also helped propel the charity into milestone territory.
Circus Couture brings together Las Vegas performers, artists, fashion designers, makeup artists and many others who donate their time to raise funds for children, and their families, battling cancer. Proceeds from the event go to the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada, the only clinic in the state treating kids with cancer, regardless of their family’s ability to pay for services. Also, Circus Couture supports the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the nation’s biggest donor to childhood cancer research outside of the federal government.
In addition to eye-catching performances and fashion designs, Circus Couture includes an extensive live and silent art auction. The largest donation was the $100,000 purchase of Avery’s Tree made in honor of Avery Driscoll who courageously fought a battle against cancer and passed away at the age of 13. It was purchased by magician Criss Angel, of MINDFREAK® Live at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, and then gifted, by him, to the Driscoll family. Moments later, Angel also pledged to donate an additional $100,000 to Circus Couture and $100,000 to St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
“I’m truly in awe of this community. With humble beginnings as renegade outsiders seven years ago, we faced a daunted learning curve. To be on the other side now, where we know the families we serve intimately is deeply humbling and powerfully inspiring,” said Erica Linz, Co-founder of Circus Couture. “To know them is to love them and want to fight for them. To see the hard work of hundreds of our volunteers reach a million dollars for them quite literally takes my breath away. We believe more than ever in the power of this community. It’s an incredible thing to be part of.”
Circus Couture Board Members include Erica Linz, President/Co-Creator/Co-Artistic Director; Dawn Marie Bernhard, Board Chair/Business Manager; Lisa Hearting, Board Member/Public Relations; Cathy Poochigian, Board Member/Production Manager; and Ashley Sutherland-Winch, Board Member/Art Auction Director.
The 2016 Circus Couture Production Team includes: Benoit Beaufils, Co-Artistic Director; Craig Caserta, LX/Projections Designer; Kelsey Contois-Husch, Assistant Hair and Makeup Designer; Ross Gibson, Co-Artistic Director; Olga Saucedo, Front of House Manager; Meghann Mason, Hair and Makeup Director; Steve Pelletier, Technical Director; and Becky Stephenson, Merchandise Coordinator.
