“On the Wings of a Dream”, GLEF’s second annual auction gala and cultural show took place Saturday, July 30, 2011. It was a spirited evening celebrating Cambodia’s rich culture, cuisine, music, dance and more. The event, held at Scottish Rite Center in Portland, Oregon, grossed $21,706 in which net proceeds (presented mid-September 2011) will go toward GLEF’s mission to enhance educational opportunities internationally to children in need, in memory of genocide victims, and to honor survivors, Golden Leaves.
Emceed by KATU Chief Meteorologist Dave Salesky and 2010-11 Miss Oregon Stephenie D. Steers, the event began with a silent auction and Cambodian fashion show by Phirath Farley Fashion and Vanny Design, followed by a live auction lead by former Center-Forward for the Portland Trail Blazers and Founder of local non-profit GrassHarper, Michael Harper. Guests enjoyed authentic Cambodian cuisine by Good Call Restaurant and Chhunny Sok and traditional music of the tro (string instrument) played by Vuthy Sek (one of only a handful of musicians surviving the Cambodian genocide). The cultural show includes a special performance by Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer joined by student Kilin Ung, along with his father, Kilong Ung, whose memoir, “Golden Leaf: A Khmer Rouge Genocide Survivor” inspired the start of GLEF. The Classical Ballet Academy directed by Sarah Rigles also performed with local talent Satheara Sin, Todd Tschida, accompanied by Cambodian youth dancers. Wrapping up the event was a stunning performance by Cambodian classical dancers Bonnearin Sin and Sida Vong performing “Mani Mekhala”—the Goddess of the Water.
During the event, the 2011 “Golden Leaf Education Foundation Outstanding Service Award” was presented to Raine Carnegie of Revelstoke, British Columbia, an inspirational 13-year-old who has organized and promoted “Shoes for Swaziland”, which collected over 7,000 pairs of shoes, and “Trick or Eat/Halloween for Hunger”, which collected thousands of pounds of food for the Community Connections Food Bank. Raine was also an ambitious fundraiser for GLEF’s first desk campaign, which in less than one month, resulted in 130 new desks for Taing Krosaing Junior High School.
Congratulations to Peggy Bartelt who won the GLEF “On the Wings of a Dream” raffle for two free roundtrip tickets courtesy of AirTran Airways!
GLEF thanks over 100 volunteers led by Event Chair, Connie Shipley that made this event a reality. Special thanks to all the guests, sponsors and supporters for their generosity in supporting GLEF’s mission.
To view photos from the event and for project updates, please visit GLEF’s Facebook page. GLEF’s 2011 project goals will be presented in the fall of 2011—please stay tuned!