Edenfest, the Eden Foundation’s annual fundraising event, will this year be held on Sunday September the 28th. The 12-hour event running from noon till midnight will once again be televised live on all local stations.

Edenfest is a public education initiative which gives the Foundation the opportunity to create awareness on the wide spectrum of training programmes provided for the main disabilities catered for at the Foundation, namely autism, cerebral palsy and down-syndrome.

The Eden Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit, charitable organization established to help children and young people with developmental disabilities attain essential social life skills by providing them with the right training in the right environment, leading them to achieve an independent lifestyle.

The Foundation offers a range of educational, psychological and therapeutic programmes in order to facilitate integration at all social levels from work to education to leisure activities.

We are all the time updating our programmes and no child is ever turned away because parents are unable to contribute towards the costs. This is why every year, through Edenfest, we appeal to the generous public – the main contributor to the success of our achievements. Donations can be effected through SMS lines, pledge lines or in person at Studio Seven. Eden Foundation shall be thanking the general public for its constant support and donations through spot prizes given out throughout the marathon.

This year’s event will be presented by three of the most loved personalities on the island: Claudette Pace, Ray Calleja and Chrisander Agius who promise half a day of merriment, hilarity and clowning. Edenfest will also see the culmination of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ show. So far, every Wednesday, in a ten minute slot during Terrazza a magazine programme on TVM, viewers have been watching several personalities undergo grueling-but-fun dance training sessions at various dance studios in Malta.

Each personality has been paired with a professional dancer and each week they compete by performing dances. During the programme viewers have been voting for their favorite dancers. During the Eden Fest marathon, the judges will vote for the best couple and declare them champions.

The ‘dancing with the stars’ concept has been adopted for the first time this year – as it was felt that to a certain extent it reflects the principles of Eden Foundation. In both situations, goals can be achieved provided that there is the right environment and the right training. Just as the personalities have been undergoing training in dancing skills, the children attending the Foundation undergo rigorous skills training so as to ultimately reach their aims.

Eden Foundation would like to thank: The Vodafone Malta Foundation which has been the main sponsor for the past five years, as well as Bank of Valletta and Charles Degiorgo Ltd and other sponsors for their financial help throughout; the personalities for their sacrifice and support during the summer season; all the dancing schools which willingly offered their premises; William Mangion for offering his musical services for 12 hours non-stop; Winter Moods for letting us use their song as a signature tune for this year’s marathon; the general public for its unfailing support; all the staff and volunteers at the Foundation for their encouragement and assistance.

Our final appeal is to the members of the media. Taking a cue from our motto for this year’s Edenfest, please give us a helping hand; every little effort will make other stories a success too.

For more information please contact Ms Doreen Borg, Edenfest Coordinator on 21 890000 or info@theedenfoundation.com

Pictured above, are Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson – Vodafone Malta Foundation presenting the donation to Mr Philip Rizzo,Executive Secretary -The Eden Foundation.

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