Multi Academy-Award winning film director Paul Haggis’ Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) and BOVET 1822 hosted an intimate celebration of the season and fundraising event, with renowned Tony and Olivier Award Winner Alan Cumming leading a program of Christmas Carols and Sappy Songs at the home of APJ Board Member Mike Novogratz and his wife Sukey Novogratz. The festive event was attended by friends, artists, celebrities, and supporters including Adrian Grenier, Salman Rushdie, Chris McDonald, Parson James, Meredith Ostrom, David and Monica Zwirner, Jacqueline Novogratz and Chris Anderson, Camilla Olsson and more. The festive occasion marked the close of a highly successful fundraising year. The festive occasion marked the close of a highly successful fundraising year. Thanks to BOVET’s extraordinary yearly commitment of one million USD since 2013, APJ has raised a record 4.5 million USD in 2016.

Actor Chris McDonald and Film Director Paul Haggis

BOVET 1822 presented the event as APJ’s long-term strategic partner. The ongoing generosity and commitment of BOVET owner Pascal Raffy and his Swiss watchmaking House makes the organization’s work possible and enables the worthy charity to give 100% of every donation directly to its programs. The non-profit organization encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world through supporting effective grassroots led programs in education, healthcare and dignity through the arts. In Haiti, following the devastating 2010 earthquake, APJ, with the help of BOVET 1822, invested over $20 million to create groundbreaking new institutions for the very poor, building a secondary school and college. Coming off a year of tremendous accomplishments, including the first ever graduation at the Academy for Peace and Justice in Haiti and the launch of the Brilliant is Beautiful Scholarship Fund for Women and Girls, APJ and BOVET 1822 intend to replicate this model of action and real results in partnership with effective, local, grassroots partners around the world.

Tony and Olivier Award Winner Alan Cumming with APJ Founder Paul Haggis

The evening featured festive drinks and delicious food, and guests enjoyed the intimate atmosphere, singing along as Alan Cumming led the group in Christmas Carols and Sappy Songs, accompanied by pianist and film composer Lance Horne. APJ supporters Arum Rae, Parson James, Paul Beaubrun, Al Sapienza, Deborah Rennard and Davell Crawford also dazzled attendees with surprise performances. BOVET 1822 sponsored a photo booth for further holiday merriment during the event, which was stocked with festive props. ChrisMcDonald was spotted hamming it up in his reindeer antlers.

Actor Adrian Grenier and APJ Board Member Mike Novogratz

Following the celebratory sing-a-long, APJ’s long-term inspiration and implementing partner Father Rick Frechette gave a rousing and positive speech urging guests to continue to live their values by giving and following the light of faith and love this holiday season, taking the example of the indomitable Haitian people and their spirit of never giving up. The extraordinary doctor, priest, and founder of the St. Luke Foundation has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, and his message was a fitting close to the jolly occasion, raising funds for a worthy cause.

APJ Board Member Mike Novogratz, Novelist Salman Rushdie, APJ Founder Paul Haggis

About Artists for Peace and Justice

Founded by filmmaker Paul Haggis, Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. APJ’s immediate goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts. The organization is committed to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people. The model is simple: APJ believes in empowering local communities, fostering economic growth, and the power of education to change a nation. APJ is based in New York; David Belle serves as its CEO. To learn more, visit www.apjnow.org