Thanks to everyone who made our 2013 One Strong Kick event a wonderful and successful evening filled with laughter, great conversation, dancing, and soccer ball juggling contest! We raised $12,000 toward the Darfur Unite Soccer Academy in Camp Mile.
Thank you to our wonderful hosts John and Cynthia Bartlett who opened their home and hearts to Darfur United.
Villegas Tacos provided delicious tacos with an assortment of salsas. Wonderful drinks were served by our volunteer bartenders including the Daisy, the Mi Casa Signature Margarita, and Summer’s Eve, the popular pomegranate cocktail from our first gala. Eli Rodriguez, Director of Mi Casa Tequila, flew down from the San Francisco Bay Area and offered their Reposado and Anejo to guests. Justin Vineyards and Landmark Wines provided refreshing Chardonay and a wonderful Cab to round out the evening. Thank you!
Wonderful music filled the evening starting with piano music during cocktail hour by Miss Emily Baum from Piano Lessons by Miss Emily. Followed by family duet Crystal Kakebeen and David Veerman. This uncle and niece duo performed an acoustic medley of cover songs ranging from ballads and country to soft rock. The evening was rounded out by Queen Maureen and the Power of Hoodoos, a local rockabilly band.
Thank you to our official partners Manhattan Beach Sand and Surf, Evo Soccer, Happy Feet LA, and Rapinoe Soccer Camps. Darfur United and our Soccer Academy are successful because of you!
Our raffle was extremely successful and we are so grateful for all of the donated items. A special thanks to our event committee members Cynthia Bartlett, Lori-Ann Harbridge, Sara-Christine Dallain, Lexi Stauring, and Kari Doody, Alex Nuttall-Smith.
Thank you to everyone who made the evening a success and we will see you next year for the 3rd annual ONE STRONG KICK Gala.
If you would like to be involved next year, please email me, Katie-Jay at ktj@iactivism.org