Global Gourmet Gala Grabs Guests!
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Lutheran Social Services of Concord, NH, and Southern New Hampshire University teamed up to hold the first annual Global Gourmet Gala on Thursday, April 17, 2008. The Kimball-Jenkins Estate in
Concord
hosted the event, which was attended by 170 guests. On Time Catering of
Ashland
,
MA
, provided Somali Stew, Pad Thai, and a Petite Samboosak, along with a variety of other exotic international favorites.
The event featured intricate African drumming and melodies of Black Bear Moon, a live percussion and wind ensemble. Guests were treated to a variety of international entertainment, which included authentic Indian dancing, a fashion show featuring traditional garb from Asian and African countries, and free Henna tattooing.
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Awards were given to First Congregational Church in
Concord
, Refugee Connections Committee of Laconia, the Concord Wal-Mart, Keating Realty, and the Endowment for Health for their support for refugees.
Perhaps the most moving part of the evening came from several former refugees who now work for Lutheran Social Services assisting newly arrived refugees. Forkpah Sumo from
Liberia
, Augustin Ntabaganyimana from
Rwanda
, and Radia Sefiane from
Algeria
, shared their experiences of persecution and flight from their countries of origin. The common thread from all of their stories was the importance of the help and hospitality of community members.
Letter to the Concord Monitor
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Dear Editor,
I am writing to thank the Concord Monitor for the wonderful pre-event coverage you gave our Global Gourmet Gala on Thursday, April 17 (A World of Difference, D1). The Gala, which benefited the International Programs of Lutheran Social Services, was a great success! Your support, which helped bring over 170 people together to sample fine international cuisine and entertainment, also made “a world of difference” in our ongoing effort to build awareness about the many gifts that our refugee neighbors bring to our community.
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And this was, truly, a community event, with many local businesses and organizations pitching in and helping us bring it all together. On behalf of Lutheran Social Services, I would like to thank Dr. Kimberly Monk and her students from Southern New Hampshire University for event management; Mona Ibrahim for the Henna tattooing demonstrations; Davina Malini for the Indian dancing performance; and Ruth Tarwo, Batulo Mahamed, Louise Yalatah, Karen Johnson, Devi Rijal, and Shiva Rai for the lovely fashion show.
We also thank Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble,
Concordia
Lutheran
Church
, Kimball-Jenkins Estate,
Elizabeth
’s Kitchen, In a Pinch Café, Rufo’s Greenhouse, Bagel Works, Beefsides, Don Giovanni, Hermanos, Market Basket, Olive Garden, Sam’s Club, Margaritas, Bittersweet Fabric Shop, A&E Custom Coffee Roastery and the Uno Chicago Grill for their contributions.
The Gala was a celebration for all those who have helped us welcome newly arrived refugees and supported the work of LSS in so many ways. Our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all of you!
Ann Dancy
Vice President of Community Services
Lutheran Social Services
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