As every year, the event was attended by personalities from the seaside business, politics, art and entertainment world. The evening's guests were welcomed by Palanga City Mayor Šarūnas Vaitkus, who was pleased that this city has been hosting an event with deep charitable traditions for several years, according to a press release.
The main goal and mission is to share kindness together
The 27th charity event was organized by the Palanga Hotel and Restaurant Association (PVRA) together with the Palanga Rotary Club. All funds raised during the charity event were allocated to the emotional support service “Jaunimo linija”, the Palanga Youth and Volunteering Center, as well as the Palanga City Nursing Home. The event organizers were pleased that this year an impressive amount of over 60 thousand euros (excluding event costs) was collected, obtained by selling tickets, organizing a lottery and an auction.
The main goal and mission of the support event is to share kindness together. And everyone could contribute to this noble goal: by buying tickets to the Kastytis Kerbedis concert, as well as by purchasing a ticket to the Gala dinner and auction. The solemn event was hosted by former TV presenter, educationist Laura Imbrasienė. The charity auction was conducted by well-known journalist and public figure Edmundas Jakilaitis. An auction of works of art, jewelry, sports paraphernalia, and a special lottery were held during the event. Paintings by Lithuanian artists Paulė Visockytė, Virginijus Viningas, Irmina Viningienė, Šarūnas Šarkauskas, Marius Morkūnas, and other authors were available for purchase at the auction. As well as exclusive diamond jewelry from the jewelry house "Diamante", a signed T-shirt by racer Vaidotas Žala, and a dinner with Palanga Mayor Š. Vaitkus, an inspiration session with Beata Nicholson, a trip around the Curonian Lagoon and the Wilhelmshaven Canal on a boat led by Captain E. Jakilaitis.
Every year, the organizers of the event “Star of Hope” responsibly choose which project they could contribute to. According to the president of PVRA, Laura Taučiūtė, this year there was unanimous support for the idea that a particularly sensitive and important part of our society is youth. According to L. Taučiūtė, many psychological experiences cause increasing destruction in a young person’s inner world. “We see how much the number of suicides has increased in our country, how much the help of psychologists is needed. And most importantly, a young person needs to feel and know that he is not alone,” one of the organizers of the event is convinced. According to L. Taučiūtė, this is why all the arguments led to providing support to the emotional support service “Youth Line”, which provides free assistance to young people. The active woman, together with like-minded people, is striving for effective assistance to be provided at the Palanga Youth and Volunteering Center: here, psychologists and other qualified specialists could urgently help a young person.
According to Martinas Kolakauskas, president of the Palanga Rotary Club, youth is our future. “This will be a lesson for them and I hope that they will learn to share when they are mature,” said M. Kolakauskas. He also noted that it is a very nice connection that part of the collected support will also be allocated to the seniors of Palanga, as a thank you for the good lessons for the younger generation. M. Kolakauskas is convinced that the traditions of charity and providing support create a great impact on society. They promote solidarity, empathy and community, help people understand the needs of others and contribute to creating a better life. In addition, they can change people's worldview, encouraging them to take more care not only of themselves, but also of those around them. Charity events can increase social sensitivity and stimulate discussions on important topics.
Mission – to help young people who face challenges today
The first part of the event “Star of Hope” featured an exclusive concert by singer K. Kerbedis. “I am very happy that my songs were performed at this event, because it is always extremely pleasant for me to contribute to such beautiful initiatives. After all, together we can help each other find the path to strength,” said the famous performer. K. Kerbedis supported the idea of allocating funds specifically to solving youth problems. According to the performer, participation in such an event gives him the opportunity to contribute to an important mission – to help youth, who are facing great challenges today. “It has always been important to me to contribute to initiatives that bring light and help to those who need it. Working with children, I see the importance of support and community. The “Star of Hope” support evening is not only a beautiful tradition, but also a real opportunity to help. It is a great honor for me to be a part of this evening and to contribute to a noble goal with my voice,” said L. Imbrasienė after the event.
According to L. Imbrasienė, dedicating the majority of the funds raised to solving youth problems is a very meaningful choice. “Youth is a period of searching, questions and sometimes loneliness. It is very important that young people have somewhere to turn when they are having a hard time, when they are looking for answers or want to contribute to meaningful activities. “Youth Line” and “Palangas Youth and Volunteering Center” are places where security, support and growth are created. I am very happy that this year these organizations will receive support,” said the host of the evening. Journalist E. Jakilaitis said that he agreed to be the host of the charity auction without hesitation. “I was invited by the president of the Palanga Hotel and Restaurant Association. I already knew that these auctions are successful every year. It is important for me to contribute to a meaningful idea,” said the famous man.
E. Jakilaitis admitted that he had recently rediscovered Palanga: “Not only the resort itself, but, more precisely, the leaders of the communities of this city.” Last year, he even had the opportunity to organize the first-ever Seniors’ Week in Palanga on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. The journalist noticed that recently the Palanga city municipality has been paying great attention to youth problems: the Youth and Volunteering Center was recently established. “It seems to me that it is very important to bring young people together, to help them find a sense of community so that they do not feel alone with their problems,” E. Jakilaitis has no doubts. “Roko’s Kitchen” took care of the catering and service of the gala dinner. According to the founder of this company, Rokas Galvonas, he wanted to contribute to the charitable initiative, showing that the company he leads is not only profitable, but also socially responsible. "Doing good is fun," said R. Galvonas, adding that the "Grandma's Restaurant" he founded in Palanga is also a social campaign.
The restaurant manager and owner was very happy to hear that the funds raised would be used to solve youth problems. “Today, a black mark falls on the young generation. And as a businessman, I have noticed that modern youth are lazy to work and only want quick income,” R. Galvonas shared his observations. Being young himself, Rokas has golden advice for representatives of his generation, which he himself has always followed – to concentrate on work, on his activities: “You need to work, work and work again. And don’t expect that everything will be handed to you on a plate.”
According to Aida Aleksandrovienė, director of the Palanga Concert Hall, their company itself suggested to the organizers of the "Star of Hope" to move to the largest space in the resort this year and hopes that this beautiful tradition will be continued. "We noticed that the event is growing more and more every year, so it needs a completely different space. We try to support charitable initiatives of the Palanga community, we participate in various social projects," said A. Aleksandrovienė
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Photos: Aldas Kazlauskas.