February 10, 2006
Mercy Corps - Caitlin Carlson 503-595-1072
Oregon Symphony - Carrie Kikel 503 228-4294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Portland, Ore. … Mercy Corps will raffle off two round-trip tickets to Europe as a benefit to support the agency’s international humanitarian programs. Tickets will go on sale beginning at the Oregon Symphony’s upcoming concert series “All About Love” on February 11, 2006. Lufthansa, an Oregon Symphony sponsor, has generously donated two round-trip tickets to Europe for the raffle, a $5,600 value.
The lucky couple will fly first to Vienna, the birthplace of Mozart and Europe’s music capital and return to Portland from any European city Lufthansa serves.
“Vienna had such a profound influence on my musical career that I wanted the winner of the raffle to experience the city for themselves,” said Oregon Symphony Music Director Carlos Kalmar. Kalmar will also suggest a concert for the winners to attend during their trip.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Portland-based international humanitarian agency Mercy Corps. With operations in more than 40 countries worldwide, Mercy Corps is currently responding to several major disasters, including the Pakistan earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and Rita and the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.
Mercy Corps thanks Lufthansa and the Oregon Symphony for their generous support and for partnering to help the world’s most vulnerable people.
Tickets may be purchased for $10 in the lobby of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall during performances from February 11th through May 15th, as well as at the Oregon Symphony box office.
The drawing will be held at noon on May 22nd at the Mercy Corps headquarters. Carlos Kalmar will also announce the winner at the Oregon Symphony event that evening.
The winner need not be present at either location to win. Results will also be posted on the Mercy Corps website (www.mercycorps.org/raffle) and the Oregon Symphony website (www.orsymphony.org).
Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 81 nations. Currently, the organization's 2,100 staff worldwide reach 7 million people in more than 40 countries. Over 92 percent of the agency’s resources are allocated to programs that help people in need. For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.
