For my first update i’ve added photos of Téa at the 2008 UNICEF Snowflake Ball. You can see previews and gallery links below…

Gallery Links:
- Public Appearances > 2008 UNICEF Snowflake Ball

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Madonna, Chris Rock and dozens of other celebrities raised $5.5 million at a star-studded benefit at the United Nations to help poor and sick children around the world.

The $2,500-a-plate dinner and live auction hosted by Rock on Wednesday night was an unusual blend of charity and commercial promotion for the U.N. and made some of its officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, uneasy.

Gucci, which paid the costs, pegged the event to the Friday opening during New York’s Fashion Week of its Manhattan flagship store on Fifth Avenue and put its logo and UNICEF’s behind the walkway where celebrities were photographed.

The United Nations Children’s Fund relies on $1 billion in private sector donations for its $3.5 billion global budget, but the U.N. had never before granted permission to a company to erect a 42,000-square-foot tent on the north lawn of the U.N. for such a lavish event with a commercial tie-in. Gucci gave paying guests its limited edition “Gucci Loves NY” handbag, with a big red heart, costing more than $600 each.

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[The article chronicles how "a massive, 10-year expansion of its fundraising structure led to a 600 percent increase in revenue for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and a new world of health and security for the children it helps." Chip Lyons, Jeff Towers and Ed Lloyd were interviewed at length for this story as were USF board members Tony Pantaleoni and Tea Leoni.]

By ABNY SANTICOLA

A massive, 10-year expansion of its fundraising structure led to a 600 percent increase in revenue for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and a new world of health and security for the children it helps.

UNICEF is like no other organization in the world. Founded in 1946 to help children in post-war Europe, China and the Middle East, the organization now has 37 national committees and gives aid to disadvantaged children in 156 countries and territories, providing services that include immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF was the first national committee established for the organization. In 1947, with the war over and the crisis in Europe subsiding, there were concerns about how to keep UNICEF funded. Up until that point, the U.S. government had been its sole supporter, but that wasn’t something the organization felt it could rely on as a sure thing. As a solution to the dilemma, the U.S. Committee for UNICEF was formed. Later renamed the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the group took UNICEF’s fate out of the hands of the U.S. government and put it in the hands of the public; and it put the U.S. Fund for UNICEF on the road to becoming the international fundraising organization that it is today.

Helenka Pantaleoni was a co-founder of the U.S. Fund and served as its president for 25 years. A Broadway actress born to Polish musicians who had emigrated prior to the war, Pantaleoni had become involved with aid efforts following Hitler’s invasion of Poland and the loss of her husband, who died fighting for American forces. Her personal connection to the horrors of World War II and the suffering that resulted translated into a passion for her work with the U.S. Fund. Under her leadership, the organization raised $113 million, mostly through grass-roots efforts.

Pantaleoni’s passion not only helped raise support for UNICEF programs, encourage individual giving and increase public awareness of the challenges that children in need face throughout the world, but it also created a family tradition of giving back. Her son, Anthony Pantaleoni, is an attorney who has served on the board of directors for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for almost seven years and currently serves as the board’s vice chair; and her granddaughter, actress Tea Leoni, recently joined her father on the board and has been a U.S. Fund for UNICEF ambassador since 2003.

Each Pantaleoni was exposed to and came to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF on his or her own, and in his or her own way. It’s symbolic of the relationship the U.S. Fund for UNICEF historically has had with most of its supporters: exposing them when they’re young to the needs of children worldwide through grass-roots fundraising efforts, such as Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, and hoping the relationship builds an affinity that will translate into support and involvement when they become adults. It’s a strategy that has proved successful, but the organization found it was leaving needed funds on the table.

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Hollywood honey – and UNICEF goodwill ambassador - Tea Leoni

says she doesn’t mind when United Nations earth mother Angelina Jolie is mistaken for working for the UN’s global children’s charity.

“Not that I mind when people make that mistake,” the actress said at a UNICEF fundraiser in the Back Bay last night. “Angelina Jolie is a good example of someone who really puts her time into bettering the lives of so many children.

“What I don’t understand is the media’s criticism (of Jolie’s) involvement in humanitarian aide and why they question her motives and sincerity,” said Tea. “It’s like, ‘Who cares?’ She’s doing a good job and putting so much of her time and money in the causes.”

And Leoni knows something about that. Her grandmother, silent screen star Helenka Pantaleoni, co-founded what would become the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in 1947 and then served as its president for 25 years. While the “Fun with Dick and Jane” star has officially served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2001, she said the family’s legacy has been with her since childhood.

UNICEF “has always been so much a part of my life beyond trick-or-treating,” the 41-year-old comedian said. “I spoke on behalf of my grandmother at events many times – I think once in Boston.”

But it was after she married “X Files” actor David Duchovny and had kids, Madelaine West, 7, and son, Kyd Miller, 4, that she decided to take a more active role in the organization.

Having children changes everything and it was my position as a mother that made me really raise the intensity level of my involvement,” she said. “I really look forward to when my daughter is old enough to come into the field with me.”

Leoni, who summers in South Dartmouth, was hosted last night by local actress and indie movie producer Christy Scott Cashman at her fine home in the Back Bay.

Apart from setting up last night’s charity event, Cashman has been busy gearing up for next Saturday’s John Hancock Hall premiere of her latest film, “Kettle of Fish,” in which she appears with indie star Matthew Modine.