Humanitarian Aid: Gala Auction

Gala Auction a Great Success: Nearly $100,000 for Children in Need

Each year, WHFC's Gala Auction raises critical funds to support our Humanitarian Aid work.

This year's event, held on Friday, April 28th at Bentley College in Waltham, MA, was no exception. Families, supporters and WHFC staff dined and mingled amid a festive atmosphere while bidding on a diverse range of auction items. A jazz band provided wonderful background music.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the short but extraordinarily moving speeches given by two young women - both adoptees, Maria Fernanda, 18 years old, and her birth sister, Luz Piedad, 14 years old. There was hardly a dry eye left in the room as both shared how adoption has changed their lives forever. As Executive Director, Vicki Peterson, told the audience when she got up to thank the two young women, they are living proof that the work we do is so worthwhile and so important.

Another special moment came when the director Agatha Leon intorduced the audience to an orphanage in Cali, Colombia, where aid to support daily life is greatly needed.

An enormous thank you to all of the guests, event sponsors, auction item donors, solicitors, and of course, our wonderful auction committee who helped raise nearly $100,000 for children in need. View a photo slideshow from the evening.