2nd Annual Hands Up for Africa Event raises $10,000

The Second Annual Avchen Pinkard Memorial Event held on October 3, 2009 at the Vancouver English Centre was an afternoon filled with remembrance and celebration.
The event was another opportunity to honour Avchen's commitment to bettering the lives of African children, to celebrate the progress HANDS UP for AFRICA (HUFA) has made over the past two years, and to continue the fundraising efforts.  Old friends, family, and new supporters gathered for an afternoon full of festivities, reflection, and joy in hearing of the many accomplishments made to date.

The event featured a slideshow presentation summarizing the advances HUFA has made over the past two years.  Guests young and old alike enjoyed mural-making, penny rolling, silent auction bidding, eating, drinking, and dancing to the performance by Yoro Noukoussi.  Over forty volunteers, including International students from Vancouver English Centre, together with friends, and family members, helped make the event possible.

Through  ticket sales, beer and wine sales, donations, the Million Pennies drive (which added up to almost $1,000), and our highest money maker, the ever-popular silent auction HUFA raised close to $10,000 making the event a huge success! 

The funds raised will be used towards supporting our three main projects:  

• the construction and maintenance of a Children's Centre,
• the schooling of two young girls through Rescue Dada Rehabilitation Centre, and
• the Daily Lunch Program that feeds over 100 children living on the streets in Rongai. 

We deeply thank all of our gracious sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees for their parts in making our second event a great success!  Together we are taking mighty measureable steps towards nourishing, providing and housing children in Africa.   Avchen would be delighted with what we have achieved in just 2 short years.  We will be continuing her vision by implementing some new fundraising ideas in 2010.  Check our website for updates!