Thank You For Making Our 10th Anniversary Event a Success!

Let's get started with a recap of our 10th Anniversary Event on September 23, 2023.

First, this event raised, after expenses, approximately $6,242.54 from donations, raffle tickets, silent auction bids, and ticket sales. We will calculate the final total once some of the unused items are returned and receive the money back.

Next, Thank You to our event partners and sponsors that helped make it a success!

• Ifri LLC, Tashi George - Event Partner

• Tambah Foundation, Branko Saah Tambah - Gold Sponsor

• Pivot HIGHer, Jessi Lynn - Silver Sponsor

• Anonymous - Silver Sponsor

And we want to Thank all those who donated as follows:

• Adam Pederson

• Amal Khamis

• Anika & Philip Kaleewoun

• Dan Kuha

• Darlington Wleh

• Diane Anastos

• Donna Cannon

• Douglas Rutherford

• Easter Emmanuel

• Eurel Nwachie

• Florkime Paye

• Frank Ngafau

• Gail Pederson

• Gary & Gail Pederson

• Gwen Kuha

• Heather Cannon

• Henry Dolopei

• James Ledlum Jr. 

• Jessi Lynn

• Jimbo & Rachel (Smith) Jahnz

• Kim Kokett

• Laurel Ostrow

• Maya Kaperick

• Milpha & JB Blamo

• Nathaniel Browne

• Patrick Tarr

• Paul Ostrow

• Philip Kaleewoun

• Sovady Huston

• Trey Witcraft

• Yeamah Brewer

Plus, we need to Thank our planning team, event day volunteers, and food vendors as follows:

1. Event Team: Eurel Nwachi, Adam Pederson, Jessie Lynn, Sovady Huston, Diane Anastos, and Tashi George.

2. Volunteers: Gary and Gail Pederson, Rich Berkley, Trey Witcraft, and anyone that I may have missed.

3. Food Vendors: Delly J’s Jamaican Catering LLC and Oga Madam Kitchen.

Finally, here are some of the photos from the event.

Adam Paderson took this photo from the rooftop deck of downtown Minneapolis. We couldn’t use it due to rain.

Heather Cannon (UDS Co-Founder & Executive Director) shared her story about traveling and living in Liberia. Then, she gave the story of how Uniting Distant Stars was founded and how it has grown. 

Tashie George of Ifri LLC (Event Partner) shared her experience visiting the UDS Campus in Liberia and then moved into fundraising, asking people to donate specific amounts. 

Left to right, James Ledlum, Jr. of Giving Hands Foundation sharing his desire to partner with UDS, Paul Ostrow (UDS Board Treasurer), Tashie George, Branko Tambah of Tambah Foundation (Gold Sponsor), and Heather Cannon 

Left to right: Heather Cannon, Branko Saah Tambah  (Gold Sponsor), and Paul Ostrow