Celebrate the Launch of Best Buddies Macao at the Venetian Ball 2014

中文 / Chinese Version

MACAO, MARCH 4, 2014  – Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is pleased to announce that the Venetian Ball 2014: A Night of Glitz and Glamour will take place at The Venetian Macao on Saturday, March 15.

The Venetian Ball, a star-studded Great Gatsby-themed affair, will celebrate the launch of Best Buddies Macao Association. It will feature a gourmet meal, an incredible auction experience, and live entertainment by Academy Award winning actor and long-time Best Buddies supporter Kevin Spacey, who will perform his internationally acclaimed nightclub act. The evening’s entertainment also includes performances by live bands and Hong Kong singer-songwriter Anthony Lun.

“We enthusiastically look forward to celebrating the launch of our Macao programs with Sands China Ltd., developer and operator of The Venetian Macao,” said Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. “Sands China’s parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. has been a magnificent corporate friend to Best Buddies for many years, and we are eternally grateful for the incredible generosity it has bestowed upon us. Its long-standing commitment to supporting our mission of friendship and inclusion has allowed us to increase our outreach to people with special needs in America at unprecedented levels, illustrating the true spirit of what Best Buddies is all about to greater number of citizens, while further illuminating Sands’ exemplary corporate social responsibility. We are very happy to now be working with Sands China to bring Best Buddies to Macao.”

Best Buddies Macao Association has operated since January 2014 and will officially launch in March 2014, with 6 initial participants in both the Friendship and Jobs Programs. It will be led by Elizabeth Yanming Tsui, Executive Director. The program was created given a founding leadership ongoing grant from Sands China Ltd. Its contribution to the establishment of Best Buddies Macao Association will enable local Macao community associations to benefit from the invaluable services provided by Best Buddies.

“Sands China created the Venetian Ball to raise funds for a noteworthy cause, and we are very pleased to raise funds this year for the establishment of Best Buddies in Macao,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. “Sands China believes in providing equal opportunity for all and in active engagement with the community in Macao. By supporting Best Buddies, we are able to bring both of those beliefs together in a very meaningful way for the benefit of our community here in Macao.”

Best Buddies Macao Association is further honored to initially be collaborating with the Associacao dos Familiares Encarregados dos Deficientes Mentais de Macau, Fuhong Society Macau, and the Macau Down Syndrome Association.

The Venetian Ball will bring together Macao’s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe.

There will also be a number of one-of-a-kind items up for live auction, including a special Audemars Piguet white gold case watch, the Rolling Stones’ signed Fender electric guitar framed on a custom matboard, Andy Warhol’s “Marilyn” (a set of 10 lithographs), three replica tennis racquets signed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in a box frame, and a stunning Tiffany five-bar drop pendant in platinum with round brilliant diamonds.

Besides the live auction, there will be items available for ballot bidding, and the charity dinner will also raise funds through lucky draw prizes and raffle tickets, where 50 per cent of the proceeds will go to Best Buddies, and the remaining half will go to a single lucky winner.

–

Event Details:

Theme:            The Venetian Ball 2014: A Night of Glitz and Glamour

Date:                Saturday, March 15, 2014

Venue:             The Venetian Ballroom, The Venetian Macao

Time:                Cocktails 6:30 p.m.   /  Dinner 7:30 p.m.

Enquiries:      +853 8117 2000 / RSVP@venetian.com.mo

Tickets are priced at MOP 1,500 per head; 10 per cent discount offered for a table purchase (10 pax).

In addition, various sponsorship packages are available for commercial enterprises or individuals wishing to support this meaningful event. Sponsorship categories available are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Presenting.

Please visit www.bestbuddies.org for more information or visit www.cotaiticketing.com for tickets to the exciting Venetian Ball 2014 and help raise funds for Best Buddies Macao Association.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:

Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,700 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide.

Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 800,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.

For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.

ABOUT THE VENETIAN^® MACAO-RESORT-HOTEL:

Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 330 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

–

ABOUT SANDS CHINA LTD.:

Sands China Ltd. (HKEx: 1928, Sands China or the Company) is a Cayman Islands registered company and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel, The Plaza™ Macao and Sands® Cotai Central. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s integrated resorts contain a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities, a wide range of restaurants, shopping malls, world-class entertainment at the Cotai Arena and the Venetian Theatre, and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s property development projects on Cotai have the goal of transforming it into Asia’s premier entertainment and business destination. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp.

For more information, please visit www.sandschinaltd.com.

–

For tickets or to become a Gala sponsor:
+853 8117 2000
RSVP@venetian.com.mo

For media inquiries (including requests for credentials):
Lily Cheng with Venetian Macau Limited
+853 8118 2013
lily.sw.cheng@sands.com.mo

Heather Schatz with Best Buddies
305-374-2233 ext. 207
HeatherSchatz@bestbuddies.org

###

「澳門至友協會」於2014年度威尼斯人慈善晚宴慶祝正式成立

澳門，2014年3月4日 – 「最佳老友」（Best Buddies International）是由Anthony Kennedy Shriver於1989年創立的一個非牟利國際自願者組織，致力為智障人士建立正常社交、綜合就業及領導力發展機會。「最佳老友」很榮幸宣佈2014 年度威尼斯人慈善晚宴 – 共享炫目浮華魅力之夜將於3月15日（星期六）假澳門威尼斯人盛大舉行。

威尼斯人慈善晚宴以《大亨小傳》（Great Gatsby）為主題，將雲集名人巨星，並慶祝「澳門至友協會」（Best Buddies Macao Association）的正式成立。該慈善晚宴設有美酒佳餚、慈善拍賣活動，以及由奧斯卡金像獎影帝兼「最佳老友」的長期支持者奇雲‧ 史柏斯（Kevin Spacey）作現場精彩表演。史柏斯將會即席重新演繹其主演的電影中享譽國際的情節。其他娛樂節目則包括現場樂隊演奏以及香港唱作歌手倫永亮的表演。

「最佳老友」創辦人兼主席安東尼•施萊佛表示：「我們熱切期待與澳門威尼斯人的發展商及營運商金沙中國有限公司一同慶祝『澳門至友協會』的成立。金沙中國的母公司拉斯維加斯金沙集團股份有限公司與「最佳老友」是多年的企業合作夥伴，而我們非常感謝該公司一直以來對我們的慷慨與支持。拉斯維加斯金沙集團長期以來支持我們致力發展友誼及包容他人的使命，讓我們的服務能夠前所未有地伸延至美國不同地區有特殊需要的人士，向廣大的居民宣揚『最佳老友』的精神，並同時進一步展示金沙集團值得效法的企業社會責任。我們非常高興能與金沙中國合作，將『最佳老友』帶來澳門。」

「澳門至友協會」由2014年1月起開始運作，並將於2014年3月正式成立，其發展友誼及職業輔導計劃現已擁有六位參加者。該組織將由Elizabeth Yanming Tsui擔任執行董事，而有關計劃則在金沙中國有限公司的捐款下而創立。金沙中國為「澳門至友協會」的成立所作出的貢獻，將會讓澳門本地的社區團體受惠於各項由「最佳老友」提供的寶貴服務。

金沙中國有限公司總裁兼行政總裁愛德華‧卓思表示：「金沙中國特別創辦了威尼斯人慈善晚宴以籌募款項作慈善用途。而今年，我們很高興能夠為『澳門至友協會』之成立籌募善款。金沙中國深信，為本澳各界人士提供平等機會及積極融入社區事務的重要性。透過支持『最佳老友』，我們能夠以極具意義的方式將這兩個信念結合起來，為本澳的社群作出貢獻。」

此外，「澳門至友協會」非常榮幸能與澳門弱智人士家長協進會、澳門扶康會，以及澳門唐心兒協會建立合作關係。

威尼斯人慈善晚宴將匯聚多位來自世界各地及澳門的知名人士。當晚舉行的拍賣活動亦將出售多件獨一無二的珍品，包括Audemars Piguet特別版白金錶殼腕錶、滾石樂隊親筆簽名的Fender電子吉他、安迪‧華荷（Andy Warhol）的瑪麗蓮夢露創作（一套10幅版畫）、三副由費達拿（Roger Federer）、拿度（Rafael Nadal）及祖高域（Novak Djokovic）親筆簽名的網球拍連架框，以及鑲有圓形鑽石的Tiffany鉑金吊墜。

除了現場拍賣會之外，晚宴上亦將舉行不記名競投活動。而慈善晚宴亦將透過幸運大抽獎及售賣慈善獎券籌募善款，所得款項的百分之五十之將捐贈予「最佳老友」，而餘款將頒贈予當晚的一位幸運兒。

活動詳情：

主題：                2014 年度威尼斯人慈善晚宴 – 共享炫目浮華魅力之夜

日期：                 2014年3月15日（星期六）

地點：                 澳門威尼斯人  威尼斯人宴會廳

時間：                 酒會    晚上6時30分     /      晚宴    晚上7時30分

查詢：                 +853 8117 2000 / RSVP@venetian.com.mo

威尼斯人慈善晚宴票價為每位澳門幣1,500元；凡訂購一席（10人）座位則可獲9折優惠。

此外，是次慈善晚宴設有各種企業或個人贊助套餐，贊助類別分為白金、金、銀、銅贊助商。

更多有關資料，請瀏覽www.bestbuddies.org；如欲購買2014 年度威尼斯人慈善晚宴門票並為「澳門至友協會」籌募善款，請瀏覽www.cotaiticketing.com 。

###

關於「最佳老友」

「最佳老友」（Best Buddies^®）是由Anthony K. Shriver於1989年創立的一個非牟利國際自願者組織，致力為智障人士建立正常社交、綜合就業及領導力發展機會。「最佳老友」由當初一個會址發展至現時於全球超過1,700間初中及高中學校以及學院設有分會。「最佳老友」現時的8個計劃，包括： 初中、高中、學院、公民、e-Buddies^®、工作、大使，以及推廣人計劃，在超過50個國家的50個州份內與參加者建立積極互動的關係，為世界各地逾800,000名殘障及健全人士的生活帶來正面的影響。正因為這些參加者的參與，「最佳老友」在大多數的情況下均能夠為智障及患有發展障礙的人士成功找到工作、讓他們自給自足、成為啟發人心的領導者以及與別人建立長久穩固的友誼。更多資訊，請瀏覽www.bestbuddies.org、facebook.com/bestbuddies 或 twitter.com/bestbuddies。

關於澳門威尼斯人^®-度假村-酒店

於2007年開幕的澳門威尼斯人^®-度假村-酒店是澳門首間大型綜合度假村，以意大利威尼斯水鄉風貌為建築藍本。澳門威尼斯人設有3,000間豪華套房、120萬平方呎 (11萬1,000平方米) 的會議展覽設施和擁有15,000 個座位的金光綜藝館，適合舉辦各類世界性體育賽事及文娛活動。澳門威尼斯人亦設有1,800個座位的豪華威尼斯人劇場，以舉辦最頂尖的國際及中式娛樂節目，還有超過30家著名餐廳食府、泰福馬瀧日間醫院及水療、樂趣無窮的室內遊樂場歷險Q立方，以及威尼斯人購物中心內的300多間商鋪。室外另設有多個泳池、池畔休閒小屋和一個小型哥爾夫球場。

如欲索取更多相關資訊，請瀏覽網頁http://hk.venetianmacao.com/。

–

關於金沙中國有限公司

金沙中國有限公司（香港聯交所：1928，「金沙中國」或「公司」）是一所在開曼群島註冊的公司及在香港聯合交易所有限公司上市的公司。金沙中國是澳門最大的綜合度假村經營商，其金光大道度假區設有澳門威尼斯人^®-度假村-酒店、澳門百利宮™及金沙城中心。公司並擁有及經營位於澳門半島的澳門金沙^®酒店。公司的綜合度假村集合多樣化的消閒、商務設施及客運業務，包括大型會議及展覽場地、各式餐廳食肆、購物中心、於金光綜藝館及威尼斯人劇場舉行的世界級娛樂表演，以及來往港澳的高速金光飛航渡輪服務。公司在路氹的物業發展項目，目標是致力打造此地為亞洲首屈一指的娛樂及商務目的地。金沙中國是全球度假村發展商拉斯維加斯金沙集團股份有限公司的附屬公司。

如欲索取更多相關資訊，請瀏覽網頁http://hk.sandschina.com/。

–

門票或成為贊助商之有關查詢：
+853 8117 2000
RSVP@venetian.com.mo

傳媒查詢（包括有關申請採訪證之事項）：
鄭詩韻 （威尼斯人澳門股份有限公司）
+853 8118 2013
lily.sw.cheng@sands.com.mo

Heather Schatz （「最佳老友」）
305-374-2233 內線 207
HeatherSchatz@bestbuddies.org

###