After the great success of its first edition, Christmas at the Villa - the charity Christmas event organized by Gata Events & Promotions - kicked off today in the presence of Mrs. Lama Tammam Salam, the wife of the Lebanese Prime Minister, and the media at the iconic Villa Linda Sursock, Ashrafieh. The event's opening ceremony coincided with the fund-raising reception of himaya, attended by the association's key figures as well as film director Nadine Labaky who was chosen to support and represent himaya during the event.

Christmas at the Villa will welcome guests from Friday 11 December and until Sunday 13 December 2015 from 11 AM to 9 PM, exhibiting luxury products by Lebanese designers including fine jewelry, fur products, refined furniture and déco pieces with luxury art de la table objects, luxury bags, paintings and couture prêt-à-porter. Held around Christmas time, the event aims at supporting 8 Lebanese charities by hosting a private reception for each at Villa Linda Sursock where they would welcome their donors and influential social and media figures, noting that a percentage of the sales' profits will be allocated to the associations.

In addition to himaya, each charity has a different cause and a different public figure who is supporting them: Tamanna, the association supporting children with severe illnesses, has chosen fashion consultant Mimi LeBlanc; CHANCE, who help children suffering from cancer, picked digital influencer Lana El Sahely. Also on board, are La Voix de la Femme Libanaise with a mission oriented towards women and their rights, supported by Miss Lebanon 2012 Rina Chibany and her sister Romy Chibany; the Green Garden Group with their environmental mission supported by multi-talented artist Aline Lahoud; the Lebanese Autism Society supported by fashion expert Hadia Sinno; the North Autism Center, founded by Mrs. Rima Frangieh and supported by media figure Rabihaa Zayyat Wehbe; and Saint Vincent de Paul who is mainly concerned with helping the poor and people in need, supported by The Agenda Beirut, founded and headed by Mr. Tony Abou Ghazaleh.

All these noble causes united under one roof by Christmas at the Villa to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas which promotes solidarity, giving, and sharing among all members of the Lebanese society.

In this line, Mrs. Sandra Ghattas, Managing Director of Gata Events & Promotions confirmed that "the company strives to endorse charities in Lebanon through different events especially those held during Christmas". She concluded: "the main objective behind Christmas at the villa is to collect funds for as many charities as possible, bearing in mind that these associations depend heavily on private initiatives. We are confident that our event will attract social and media influencers, celebrities and generous donors who appreciate luxury and art and who will be making a big difference in the lives of many this Christmas".