For the past six years the Foundation for Education of
Rural Children (FERC) has been organizing an annual Gala as one of their
main fundraisers. This year’s was in conjunction with the ‘Give and
Live’ charity.
This year’s Gala was no less spectacular than the
previous ones. The venue had kindly been provided by the Wongmalee family
and with the Amari Rincome Hotel laying out the buffet, over 200 attending,
and activities all night long, the committee outdid itself once again.
One of the first highlights of the evening was a
wonderful performance by the children of the ‘Srinehru H’mong School’
on Doi Suthep, who will also be receiving some of the proceeds from the
event. Scott Jones led the events throughout the night which included his
own comedy slide show, performances by local artists, and a performance by
Grammy award winner, Barbara Bailey Hutchison, who got the crowd psyched up
for dancing later in night. Her powerful voice, her songs, and her charisma
will long be remembered.
Throughout the evening a silent auction was also taking
place with various items such as jewelry, hotel accommodation, dinners,
cruises and decorative items, and other desirable items. Live auctions were
also held and brought in a greater sum than ever before, with the top item
of a luxury Chaophraya Cruise on the Manohra Song by Bangkok Marriott Resort
and Spa auctioned off for 28,000 baht to Celeste Tolibas-Holland.
Dr Rebecca Lomax gave a moving speech at the end of the
evening saying, “The Thai people have a wonderful expression for what all
of us feel tonight - naam jai. Literally translated, it simply means
‘heart water’. But you will understand when I tell you that the English
language translation is more like ‘a full heart’, ‘an overflowing
heart’. And our hearts are very full tonight.”
With the grand total nearly half a million baht, everyone definitely had
‘overflowing hearts’.
Celeste
Tolibas-Holland (left) and Dr. Rebecca Lomax hand over a pair of bronze
candleholders to the successful bidder.
Everybody
was delighted to meet such beauty at the cashier’s table - (from left)
Winifred Ho, Monika Weber and Celeste Tolibas-Holland.
MC and
show director Scott Jones with Keng Wongmalee who generously ‘donated’
the venue for this year’s Gala.
Frank
Weicks is delighted to hand over a Silk Air roundtrip ticket to Singapore to
Joseph and Libby Lenseigne.
Just
like Hollywood Boulevard - the children from Srinehru H’mong School on Doi
Suthep left their handprints and autographs.
Barbara
Bailey Hutchison entertained and even brought over 85,000 baht from the US
in donations.
Barbara
Bailey Hutchison signed many autographs which she did quite uniquely - she
wrote little dedications backwards!
Lori
Ashton, Tananan from Haute Couture and Vorakorn check out items at the
silent auction.
Hair-Pro
Kovit Boonma, Ram and Sabrina Magnusson didn’t want to miss the
opportunity to float a hot lantern.
Wanpen
was presented with a voucher for a mini vacation at the Legend Boutique
Resort in Chiang Rai.
Chiangmai
Mail’s MD Michael Vogt conducts the three live auctions which brought in
substantial funds in support of scholarships for the children.
Somjos
and Victoria Nimmanahaeminda (right) and friends enjoy a magic moment.
Donna
and Terry Dauenhauer, Lynn Hastings and Tom and Deborah Atchinson.
The
silent auction is the center of attention.
Mr and
Mrs Crutchley, Anita Lambersoy, and Mr and Mrs Cook enjoy the welcome
cocktail.
MC Scott
Jones desperately trying to find the raffle winner, while Frank Weicks and
Marc Dumur get carried away.
The
school children in their colorful H’mong outfits perform traditional
dances, much to the delight of the audience.
