Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria More than 350 guests turned out to support a fundraiser hosted by Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria on Saturday. The star's Global Gift Gala dinner and auction – at the Supperclub at the Zabeel Saray resort on the Palm Jumeirah – was in support of her Global Gift Foundation.Guests paid up to Dh2,500 to attend the event, held in collaboration with the Noor Dubai Foundation, which aimed to raise money to help vulnerable women and children in Dubai."There's also a lot of misconceptions about Dubai and the world sees the city as a very rich, glamorous place,” said Longoria, 38.
"So we wanted to make people understand there are people who are in need and less fortunate here.
"We wanted to provide the platform and funds to help them.”
At the gala, the actress presented Grammy-winning singer Ricky Martin with a Global Gift Humanitarian Award.
"It's a privilege to honour my dear friend,” she said. "He has been someone I've admired and respected for years for his endless commitment on ending the exploitation of children.”
A live auction took place after courses of king crab soup and fillet of Angus beef, with a limited-edition Montegrappa pen proving a popular lot.
Guests also reached for their paddles for a chance at a personal experience with the glamorous host.
"I'll be personally cooking for them,” Longoria said. "I'm not sure where. Wherever they send me — maybe in Los Angeles at my restaurant.
"I'll probably cook Mexican, but really whatever they want.”
Before carriages at midnight, entertainment from the American singer-songwriter Maxwell and the UAE-based Katie Kittermaster, 12, rounded off the evening.
This was the first event of its kind in the country hosted by Longoria's foundation.
Over the past year, Longoria has raised more than US$3 million (Dh11m) through similar galas in France, Marbella, and London.
Locations scheduled for next year include Los Angeles, Miami and Mexico City.
The activist revealed it was a personal experience that heightened her awareness of children with disabilities.
"My sister Elizabeth has special needs. She's an amazing human being and the light of our family's lives,” Longoria said. "From an early age, the family volunteered at the Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls club.
"It was really amazing to grow up with somebody less fortunate because it taught us how to be a selfless family and how to come together to support each other.”
Source: The National