Marco Foster’s Annual White Party on its 5th Year!

By: Jovie Calma

 

Honoring philanthropy in unforgettable fashion, Marco Foster’s 5th Annual White Party will have Chicagoans painting the town white hot. Chicago altruist and entrepreneur, Marco Foster invites guests to an evening of premium food and drink from Untitled, energetic music, creative performances, and sizzling summertime fashion, all benefiting One Hope United, a not-for-profit organization that aids foster children, protects them from child abuse or neglect, strengthens their families, and prepares children for a prosperous future, on July 24th. It was over five years ago when I met Marco in one of AKIRA fashion shows and interviewed him for my show at CPRTV. It was the same year when we became friends and have supported his first White Party at Underground.

Prior to all glamour and glitz, Marco was a self-proclaimed nerd. He worked as a help-desk manager by day and event planner in his leisure time. In 2009, Marco’s life completely changed when he found out that he had brain tumor. He went through healing process and incredibly fast recovery. His faith was restored and from that moment onward, he began making a difference thru hosting parties and donating the proceeds to the charity of his choice. “I was a little selfish before I was diagnosed with brain tumor. I was only thinking about myself. But now, I want to make sure I take time for everything, especially with giving back and helping others, “ Marco said.

White Party, now on its 5th year, is growing bigger and better. This year, guests will enjoy premium drinks and high-class entertainment with aerialists, burlesque performers and break-dancers included. Sponsors like Lamborghini and Maserati will add to the fun, as guests will have an opportunity to take pictures, upload them on Instagram and for those who will have one of the best photos will get a free trip to Las Vegas. This bash is one for the books!

Marco, as the vibrant founder of Chicago Models, a Facebook group, used his own creation as an outlet to produce and host his fundraisers. It started off as just fashion. He’s a model himself and did fashion shows and dipped into the charity events. “I’ve been to a lot of charity events and I would like to break the norm of just wine glasses and mingle. I want quality, excitement, fun and tons of surprises,” he said. He’s been fortunate that all of his event fundraisers have been sold out for the past two and a half years.

Why One Hope United? “There was a time in my life when I was young and lost in the system, also known as the Department of Children and Family Services. A great woman, Marjorie Foster, who I lost few months ago, adopted me when I was seven. I’m able to relate to what a foster child and parent has to deal with,” Marco shared. “My White Party benefits foster kids through One Hope United. They started in Chicago and they’ve been around for a hundred years or so. One Hope United has other programs like child abuse and runaways, but they let me put the money specifically to foster care. Every so often I get to go to these facilities where they’ve got the offices and programs. I can say, “Hey, I was just like you. I know what it’s like to go from home to home.” Working with bigger charities is great, but working with the ones that are smaller from Chicago makes you feel good,” Marco shared.

“When I had this brain tumor and I recovered more quickly than most in my situation. I was out of the hospital in three days and played basketball four days after that. My first event was a birthday party for myself where everyone gave me $20 instead of a present and I gave them open bar and I’ve donated the money to charity. 125 people showed up, it was awesome. Then I just kept doing it and I realized, you don’t have to have had a brain tumor to give it back to charity. You don’t have to wait until something bad happens, ” he added.

Marco also organized and hosted an event called “The Grinch Who Gave Back” for the last two years. It was a sold-out event with 550 people in attendance and benefitted the Brain Injury Association of Illinois. Maserati was one of the major sponsors. At present, Marco already raised more than $50,000 for Chicago organizations. Other groups have asked Marco to be a host or MC for events. He was auctioned for an event at Park West for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for ALS where he contributed in raising up to $75,000. “It really felt good that I was able to help make a difference for something I didn’t really know about. I told the organizers that I would be there next time because there’s stuff out there that people don’t think about, and everybody needs help,” Marco shared.

This year for the White Party, Marco aims to break the $20,000 mark of what he can donate to the charity. If he can sell it out, he wants to see madness and people to be anxious and excited to be at the event and have an amazing time. Marco’s ultimate goal is to create his own charity organization, Marco Foster Charities. It’s going to benefit other charities thru his event productions. He will produce fundraisers for causes that mean something to him or for someone close to him. Marco Foster combines fashion, style and creativity to create the ultimate charity event. Tickets for Marco Foster’s Annual Party can be purchased online at www.mfwhiteparty5.eventbrite.co m, starting at $55 individually and $500 per table. As of press time, tickets are at 75% sold.

My special birthday wishes to Tita Fely Velez (July 1), Nina Mae Vidal (July 9), Bettina Abrienne Zamora (July 9), Erico John Sarreal (July 19), Jess Christopher Campo (July 23), Josie De Leon (July 23) and to mi amor Dion (July 7). I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone, as we salute and recognize our distinguished awardees for the 21st Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 14, 2015 to be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL. 60018. For reservation and more information, please call: 773-866-0811.

To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Please visit www.viatimes.com (or net) and be our Facebook Fan! God Bless Us All!

(1) Marco Foster’s Annual White Party in 2014 held at the Parliament ; (2) VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma took a “selfie” with ABC7’s Reporter, Eric Horng taken at the Asian Pacific American Heritage luncheon hosted by ABC 7.

Red, White and Blue plus Gray too, America, We Love You! VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma and her boys, Alric and Rovic sent their love from Traverse City, Michigan for the 4th of July Independence Day!

(1) Jovie’s “selfie” moments with the Ji Suk Yi, Contributor of ABC 7’s Windy City Live!’ ; (2) The Calma Santos White Family at Alric’s Graduation Party and Rovic’s 7th Birthday with SOUTHPAW, the Chicago White Sox Mascot as special guest of honor.