Marc Anthony collects more than $100,000 for orphanage

Chicago: Singer Marc Anthony collected more than $100,000 in Chicago for a Dominican Republic orphanage, the first Latin American organization to benefit from his Maestro Cares foundation.

In a communique, the foundation said that 200 people attended a cocktail party and silent auction held at the Sofitel Hotel, an event where the singer and his partner in the foundation, Colombian businessman Henry Cardenas, were also present. Among the items belonging to famous sports and show business personalities that were sold at the auction was an Argentine national soccer team jersey autographed by superstar Lionel Messi. In addition, bidders also bought a necklace designed by Oscar de la Renta, a helmet signed by Mexican race car driver Esteban Gutierrez, a guitar signed by the Mexican rock band Mana and front-row seats to the GIGANT3S international tour Anthony is undertaking along with Marco Antonio Solis and Chayanne. Gutierrez and actor Luis Guzman were among the personalities invited to the fund-raising event in Chicago. The Dominican orphanage is the first beneficiary of the non-profit foundation established in November 2011 to support organizations that work with needy children in Latin American countries. IANS