What's New » Successful African Dinner Raises Funds for School, Medical Unit
The Cedar Park’s Youth in Action Group’s May 31 African dinner was a fabulous success. At least 120 guests were seated for dinner, and the food was terrific. Twenty-one of the members of the group worked very, very hard to make this a most memorable evening for every person there. They not only turned the hall into an African village, but also welcomed guests, sold raffle tickets, served tables and food, cleaned up, and told their story and the story of the Kenyan village of Salabwek very effectively.
Special thanks to Phil and Aimee Patterson Read, who worked for almost 12 hours straight in the kitchen, cooking, organizing and cleaning up. Also to Dakou Seid who joined them in the kitchen for almost 10 hours, helping in every way possible.
Alusine Bah’s very moving message will stay with everyone who heard it for a very long time. And Sherma Salandy and the S.O.S. Chorale were WONDERFUL … their final dance piece celebrating sacred water brought many guests to tears. Everyone is so grateful to Alusine and to S.O.S. for sharing their energy and faith and commitment with us as they did on Saturday night.
The event raised over $2,500 after all the expenses were paid, and this is being sent to Free the Children for the projects supported by Cedar Park group. The first $1,000 will bring its contributions for the new school in Salabwek to $8,500, the total needed. And the remaining $1,500 will go for a mobile medical clinic. This amount brings the group’s total contributions to Salabwek this year to over $15,000! As Alusine said at the conclusion of his remarks, “I have come to learn that life is all about giving. One of the most important things in life is how we treat our fellow human beings, despite their race, culture and ethnicity. For we are all connected somehow and live in a global society.”
