Lyn Pinezych and Carla Raij at the entryway. Hanging behind them are real City Bakery marshmallows used in their amazing hot chocolate.

I HEART MALAWI 2010
Photos by Rubina Hussain and Susan Zafer
More committed and more organized than ever before, volunteers pulled together live music, a photo gallery, delicious food and an incredibly comprehensive silent auction at New York's famed City Bakery. The result was not only a rollicking party, but also a financial milestone. As of 5.10.10, we've made more than $32,000, including more tickets sold than ever before—and we're still counting!

We were thrilled to hold the event at one of founder Kip Myers' favorite spots in New York. City Bakery's creative menu included Japanese guacamole and mini brioche BLTs, but to our Malawian guests' delight, the cooks also whipped up a batch of nsima—the pounded maize dish central to Malawian cuisine. Huge thanks to Keith Katz for securing wine donations, and to Jamie Katz for getting Mike's Hard Lemonade to donate so generously. Sixpoint Craft Ales supplied more than enough excellent beers to get everyone bidding heavily on the silent auction.

Founder Moffat Phiri performs with his Brooklyn backup band.

Honored guests Kalekeni Banda and Rose Carroll, of the Banda Bola Sports Foundation.

Vounteers Nancy Chuang and Claire Kenny with founder Kip Myers

Rachel Jones with founder Rosemary Phiri

This year those auction items ranged from Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Grandstand tickets to a personal "60 Minutes" studio tour with Lesley Stahl. We offered "weekend in New York" packages with stays at the Standard and Chambers Hotels, dinners at Buttermilk Channel and Perilla, and entertainment such as tickets to the Blue Note or a harbor cruise. Founders Rosemary and Moffat Phiri brought handmade crafts from Malawi, and even Malawi-mama Madonna made an appearance—in the form of her coffee-table books and a concert CD.

Live music was the biggest treat, with our wonderful friends Kenneth, Taylor, Pasquale and Greg forming an energetic backing band for Moffat. Attendees were able to dance to traditional Malawian music at several intervals throughout the evening. We hope Moffat will make his CD available to us soon!

City Bakery's space was the perfect size.

We had a lot of fun while raising a record-breaking amount of money for our ever-growing scholarship program. Eight of our original twelve boys are currently in private schools, thanks to our supporters, and we're working hard to get the remaining boys there as well. The program supports other area scholarship applicants, with We Are One funds paying the salary of a dedicated program manager. Your donations make a tangible difference, and we can't thank you enough.

Check out 2007's event.
Or see our long list of thank yous.

MORE OF OUR GUESTS, VOLUNTEERS, & DONORS

Volunteer Rubina Hussain with Kirk Myers, who donated a personal training session to the silent auction.

Eric Ioffreda and Mari Jo Winkler (on right) with friends

Paul Becker from Aveda Salon, who donated a cut & color session, with volunteer Matt Flanders.

Volunteer Colleen McMillen with Jamie Munjack and Joanna Omilinsky

Katie Furr and Robert Brunson

Nisha Brady and Christian VerHalen of the Blue Note, who generously donated tickets to the auction.

Volunteer Andrew Griffen was happy to check coats again this year. Pictured with Graham Ashcraft.