|
|
HEARTSONGS
GALA RAISES OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES
Saturday,
March 10th 2007 was an evening of dinner, dancing and making a
difference. In its fifth year, the annual Greater Washington Muscular
Dystrophy Association’s Heartsongs Gala raised over one
million dollars.
Guests who attended the event at the Marriott Wardman Park went
on a “Journey to a Cure” and were treated to authentic
entertainment, food and drink from Southeast Asia.
The Philippine Embassy sponsored the Grand Destination in the
ballroom where Filipino dancers entertained guests throughout
the program. The room was transformed into a lush Filipino retreat,
complete with palm trees, exotic flowers and fruits, and traditional
Filipino décor. His Excellency and Mrs. Willy C. Gaa from
the Philippine Embassy were in attendance and welcomed guests
at the beginning of the evening.
The Deputy Minister John Chen-chung Deng of the Taipei Economic
and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) was also in attendance
and hosted the VIP Cocktail Reception with a Chinese New Year
theme. VIP guests were surrounded by demonstrations of traditional
Taiwanese crafts, such as calligraphy and paper arts. TECRO provided
authentic Chinese New Year décor for the VIP room and organized
Taiwanese cultural entertainers, such as Lion Dancers and Aboriginal
Dancers, who performed in the Marriott’s grand foyer as
guests arrived at the event.
Tony Perkins of FOX5 was the Emcee for the evening for the fourth
time in five years. He introduced comedian Larry Miller, whose
screen credits include Pretty Woman and Best In Show, and local
big band Radio King Orchestra. Perkins also presented the 2007
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Heartsongs Award to Hank Cominiello who accepted
on behalf of Safeway, a national sponsor of MDA.
Jim McWhorter, owner of L&M Produce, and Donald Kahn, President
of Procurement for Dade Paper, co-chaired the event. They were
supported by a committee that included representation from local
businesses such as Mamma Lucia’s, TV station WDCW, Great
American Restaurants, Clyde’s Restaurants, and The Reznick
Group.
Many local families who will benefit from the money raised at
the event were present for the festivities, including keynote
speaker Jeni Stepanek, mother of the late peacemaker and poet
Mattie Stepanek. The Heartsongs Gala is held every year in Mattie’s
memory.
 |
"If
they would find a cure, I could travel the world and teach
peace" – Mattie J.T. Stepanek |
We
need your support.
The Heartsongs Gala began in February 2003 to celebrate poet and
peacemaker Mattie Stepanek's philosophy and message of peace,
joy and "listening to your heartsong". Before he lost
his battle with neuromuscular disease in June 2004, Mattie expressed
his desire that the Gala continue for years to come to raise much-needed
funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
MDA is consistently recognized as one of the best managed non-profit
health organizations. This is possible through the support of
individual and corporate contributions. All of the net proceeds
from the Gala will help Greater Washington DC area children and
adults with neuromuscular diseases.
|
|
