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STANDING OVATION
Gala's guests take a stand to applaud, dance, and support projects in Brazil
Guests at the gala rose to the occasion: first to enthusiastically applaud the talented young musicians of Orquestra de Cordas da Grota, students of a project financed by BrazilFoundation, then to dance to the captivating rhythms of Margareth Menezes, and finally, with their generous support. The 460 guests and the gala's underwriting sponsors, Atlas Advisors, CVRD, Pfizer Animal Health, and TAM Brazilian Airlines, helped gross $331,000 and kick-off the Annual Project Fund for the 2007 grant-making process.
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| Palden Nangyal, senior managing director of Atlas Advisors, with Leona Forman. |
The black-tie ball attracted a diverse public of business leaders, diplomats, representatives from foundations and universities, journalists, designers, artists, and models. Patricia Poeta, the correspondent of Rede Globo, was the master of ceremonies for the third time. Malu Millerman, was the chair of the gala and Christina Rose was co-chair.
Guests included actresses Juliana Paes, Deborah Secco, Julia Almeida; fashion designers Carlos Miele and Oscar Metsavaht; top models Mariana and Carolina Bittencourt, Cristiane Cavalcante, Fabiana Saba; Ambassadors José Alfredo Graca Lima, General Consul of Brazil in New York, and Ronaldo Sardenberg, Brazil's permanent representative to the United Nations; Pedro Lichtinger, president, worldwide pharmaceutical operations - Pfizer Europe; Vicente Wright, senior managing director of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce; Palden Namgyal, senior managing director of Atlas Advisors; and José Sampol, US Representative of TAM.
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Vicente Wright of CVRD with his wife Ginny.
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This year, BrazilFoundation decided to honor the many extraordinary social entrepreneurs who are working for a better Brazil. For the first time, with the support of TAM Airlines, BrazilFoundation was able to bring to New York some of its grantees -- seven young classical musicians and their maestro, from Grota do Surucucu, a low-income community in Niteroi -- to perform at the Gala.
Immediately after dinner, the DJ turned down the music, but the chatter of conversation continued to reverberate through Cipriani's vast marble hall - until the sound of a single violoncello broke through. As the crowd fell silent, each musician delicately entered through the sides of the hall bringing a part from The Kanon by Pachelbel on their violas and violins. At the end of the piece, the audience gave the musicians a standing ovation.
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| José Sampol, US Representative of TAM. |
"The Orquestra's moving music is a wonderful example of the huge difference a small grant can make in the lives of young people. They are ready to take the opportunities; they have the talent, perseverance and desire to succeed. All they need is a chance, a social leader that is committed to their success, and the tools to transform their reality," said Leona Forman, president and CEO of BrazilFoundation.
The musicians who came to New York are between 20-24 years old. They learned to play their instruments as young boys at Recilarte Institute, which continues to teach classical music to 160 children of Niteroi.
Margareth Menezes lent her unique voice to the BrazilFoundation's cause with a performance that also brought the crowd to its feet - this time to dance. The performances of Orquestra de Cordas da Grota and Margareth Menezes were made possible by TAM Brazilian Airlines, which provided the airline tickets and Albatroz Transportes that provided ground transportation in New York.
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Pedro Lichtinger, president, worldwide pharmaceutical operations - Pfizer Europe with his wife Iracilda.
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Graphic designer Giovanni Bianco created the invitation and the theme of this year's event: "Sol" (Sun). For the fourth year, Zeze Flores provided beautiful flower arrangements that adorned the tables and Cachaça Pitu treated all to caipirinhas.
Each fall, BrazilFoundation receives project proposals from non-profit organizations from all over Brazil. In 2006, 840 projects were received, analyzed, and 50 finalists identified for on-site visits by the selection team. In partnerships with the HSBC, CVRD and the Ford Foundation, BrazilFoundation was able to make 33 grants this year.
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| Orquestra de Cordas da Grota performance. |
"BrazilFoundation has clearly demonstrated that it has a proven method for successfully investing in social projects in Brazil; it deserves both recognition and support to expand its efforts," said Palden Namgyal during his speech.
BrazilFoundation has raised over US$4.6 million and made 191 grants (both discretionary and donor advised) in all regions of Brazil. For more information about the projects, please visit our website www.brazilfoundation.org
Click here for 2006 BrazilFoundation's Annual Gala gallery
Click here to read about 2006 BrazilFoundation's Annual Gala in the news.
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Newsletter Vol.5 • No.17
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