FACE Africa Annual Gala: Over $50,000 Raised for Water

The funds raised will go towards the construction of hand pumps, boreholes, public tap stands, drainage systems and garbage collection in both urban and rural communities in Liberia.

Boston, MA - Over 200 guests attended FACE Africa's 1st Annual Gala, A Clean Water benefit held at the Taj Boston on Saturday, March 20, 2010. The event was being held to raise awareness and funds for the organization's clean water initiatives in Liberia.

The special evening kicked-off with a cocktail reception, silent auction and live jazz courtesy of Soul4yosystem. Guests were handed sparkling wine from Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery as they entered the silent auction room and could be seen mingling and bidding on items generously donated by David Yurman, Giuseppe Zanotti Design of Boston, Marc Jacobs, Cynthia Rowley, American Airlines and the New England Patriots among others.

The silent auction was followed by a 3-course dinner and program in the Grand Ballroom of the Taj Boston where guests were welcomed by Channel 7 News reporter Michelle Relerford and Ms. Saran Kaba Jones, FACE Africa's 27-year old Founder and Executive Director.

The program included a remark from Honorary Chair of the evening M. Nathaniel Barnes, the Ambassador of Liberia to the United States who congratulated all attendees for being agents of change by supporting FACE Africa and a statement from Gala Co-Chair Mr. Dikembe Mutombo, former NBA Allstar and Founder of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation which works to improve the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following Mr. Mutombo's remark was a Keynote Address by Mr. Kevin McGovern, Chairman of the Water Initiative and Chairman and CEO of McGovern Capital.

Ms. Kaba Jones presented the first FACE Africa Humanitarian Award to Peter Thum, the night's honoree and the Founder of Ethos Water and Giving Water. Mr. Thum was honored for his work with Ethos Water and his dedication to raising awareness of the World Water Crises.

The program concluded with a statement from Gala Chair, Ms. Heather Herndon and a moving testament from Tito Jackson, Political Director for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's Campaign who also presented Ms. Kaba Jones with a Citation from Governor Patrick.

Guests later enjoyed entertainment provided by Group Saloum, a Cambridge, MA-based Senegalese band.

The event raised over $50,000 which will go towards funding the construction of hand pumps, boreholes, public tap stands, drainage systems and garbage collection in both urban and rural communities in Liberia. This will be done in partnership with Concern Worldwide (Liberia), an organization that has been implementing water and sanitation projects in Liberia since 2000, both in emergencies and in community recovery.

For more information, please visit: www.faceafrica.org

For additional photos from the event visit:
http://faceafrica.jalbum.net/FACE-Africa-1st-Annual-Gala/gallery.html





















Photos by Amy Azeredo-Samson, Liesl Clark, Any Yanover, Amebor.com and Kevin Barry

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