Kids of Kilimanjaro Gala

Bill Richardson Speaks on Behalf of Schoolchildren at KIDS OF KILIMANJARO GALA

The Honorable Bill Richardson, former two-term governor of New Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, took on the role of keynote speaker at the Oct. 22 Kids of Kilimanjaro Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Following a reception, silent auction and dinner, Richardson addressed the issue of hungry children in Africa, who now benefit from the organization’s school lunch program. He said by providing 15,000 warm lunches daily to young students, who might not otherwise be getting any meal, school performance and graduation rates have dramatically increased.

To increase the night’s proceeds, the evening also included a live auction of luxury hotel stays, dinners, an afternoon on a private yacht and other items. Also up for bid was a 1959 Cadillac ride and lunch with Joanne Namkung and George Namkung, who founded the charity, which serves 48 schools in Tanzania’s villages surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Organizers estimated proceeds from the Kids of Kilimanjaro Gala at more than $200,00. Guests included SuSan Brassfield, Kendra Brassfield and Jerry Brassfield, Chan Luu and Thom O’Shaughnessy, Martha Jarosewich Holder and Stephen Holder, Colette Taormina and Vince Taormina, Larry Bridges and Deborah Bridges, Theresa Corcoran, Michael Corcoran and Jerry Corcoran, Tim Koch, Beverly Beck, Chelsea Namkung, Korey Klein and Audra Lalley.

Photo, above: Kids of Kilimanjaro founder George Namkung, left, with the Honorable Bill Richardson. The majority of Kids of Kilimanjaro Gala photos in the gallery below by Stefanie Keenan.

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