Unstoppable Foundation Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary Gala
The Kenyan Boys Choir performs at Unstoppable Foundation’s gala
Although the work of the Unstoppable Foundation is very serious – educating thousands of young people in Kenya, Liberia, Uganda and India—emcee John O’Hurley set the tone for the organization’s tenth annual gala from the moment he took the stage at the Beverly Hilton’s International ballroom on March 24.
The prolific actor, known for his work on Seinfeld and for hosting The National Dog Show on NBC for a dozen years, joked that he’s the grim reaper of television – that most shows that he’s been on get canceled.
But the proceedings were anything but grim.
It was a night filled with entertainment—and emotion. After the Kenyan Boys Choir worked their way through the black-tie crowd, one of the beneficiaries of the organization was brought up on stage. Seema was the first girl to in her family to graduate from high school and is now attending college in a hospitality and tourism management program via a scholarship sponsored by Unstoppable.
“I had to stand up to my father in order to go to school because he didn’t believe that girls should be educated. Now I am a role model to my other brothers and sisters and I will get a good job because of the education I am getting. It shows that education can change a community,” she said.
The theme of the night was “A Decade of Dreams Fulfilled.” It was 10 years ago that Cynthia Kersey founded the organization with a fundraiser on her birthday. The Unstoppable Foundation, with its supporters and partners. has assisted about 78,000 people in communities in Liberia, Uganda, Kenya and India by educating students and funding school houses and construction of high schools.
Director/producer Lee Daniels joined O’Hurley and said this about the proceedings, “This is next level. It’s incredible.”
Lee Daniels and John O’Hurley
Bidding was spirited for the live auction items including a week-long stay at the Sugar Beach Villa Estate in Little Exuma, Bahamas, personal one-on-one coaching from Jack Canfield and Patty Aubery, an Unstoppable adventure to Kenya including a three-day African Safari at Richards River Camp, one of the continent’s top resorts, a featured story on Forbes.com, an oceanside stay on San Diego’s famous beach boardwalk, business consulting with David Meltzer, a three-day Catalina Island excursion aboard a luxury yacht with three staterooms and a five-day program of 40 Years of Zen, donated by Dave Asprey.
Many of the items up for auction were so popular that the respective donors offered an identical second item to another high bidder, contributing even further to the thousands of dollars raised.
The Gala was co-chaired by Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott and Janice Freeman performed the perfect song for the event, “This is Me” from the hit film The Greatest Showman, an anthem of strength and perseverance.
The organization’s Legacy Award was presented to Sandy Gallagher, recognizing her work to empower people through education and lift entire communities out of poverty.
The Unstoppable Achievement Award went to Mama Jane Marindany, who has provided strong leadership in her village in Kenya.
