The FINANCIAL — A house is something visible. It’s a site where loved ones live. It is where children study, play and grow. It’s where friends and family come to visit. House is incredibly important to a person. A house is to a person what soil is to a plant. But millions of people all over the world do not have a decent house in which to live.
Dzegvi Orphanage became a house for homeless children in early 1990-ies for so called street children in Georgia. But as there were not only children left under the open sky Mother Mariam understood the crucial necessity of converting the Orphanage into a Shelter for all those left without decent house. It has been expanded and today it shelters more than 80 homeless people of different ages and various problems. Since 2010 the Shelter is encountering problems related with the building. American friends of Georgia with help of long term partners and friends started the reconstruction of the Shelter building with the money raised at Charity Gala and US campaign. This summer it was rebuilt to some extent and then stopped. Dzegvi Shelter inhabitants were eagerly waiting for Charity Gala to see if enough money would be raised to finish the reconstruction of their “House”…
Just a few days before Christmas, on December 9, American Friends of Georgia held a traditional annual Charity Gala “Restore Life” in the Hotel Biltmore. The Evening was attended by more than 340 people among whom were Diplomats, representatives of leading Georgian and International companies and corporations.
The event started with a cocktail reception in the lobby of the Hotel Biltmore with an art display by prominent Georgian artists auctioned later by Cliff Isaak – the one and only, very talented extraordinaire Auctioneer, Honorary Consul of Canada in Georgia, volunteering his skills as a champion auctioneer at all AFG Charity Galas.
The reception was followed by dinner especially designed by Biltmore’s Executive Chef Hussam Hamoud. An interesting musical performance included the young talented pianist and composer Nika Nikvashvili who especially arrived from Paris to perform at the Gala, young performers Studio “Ana-Bana” and well-known Choir of Anchiskhati.
The highlight of the evening was Auction of contemporary art by prominent Georgian artists: Gogi Alexi-Meskhishvili, Gia Gugushvili, Giorgi Mirzashvili, Eteri Chkadua, Keti Matabeli, Mamuka Tsetskhladze, Lia Shvelidze, Mamuka Mikeladze, Giorgi Kvavilashvili, Maka Gotsiridze, Ala Turmanidze-Cowgill, Manana Abzianidze and others. Our generous friends also donated Elene Akhvlediani, Tengiz Mirzashvili, Dimitri Eristavi and Tonino Guerra’s works from their private collections.
The event aiming to promote the idea of philanthropy and benefit the most needy children and elderly in Georgia raised a great amount – in total 93 000 USD after expenses. This will enable American Friends of Georgia to make Dzegvi inhabitants dreams come true – continue reconstruction of Dzegvi Shelter and also support Hospice and Palliative Homecare Program! This reconstructed Shelter will help additional homeless elderly, mentally ill and physically handicapped, and abandoned mothers with their children and enable to have additional public spaces for educational and vocational training, medical care, art therapy, and children’s gymnasium.
The patron of Gala traditionally was Petrocas Energy Group, a long-time partner, friend and supporter of American Friends of Georgia. The wine sponsor was Ikano. Gold Sponsor was Biltmore Hotel, Silver Sponsor Adjara Group Hospitality and Bronze Sponsors were: BDO, Silknet, Dechert and PMCG.
Sapphire sponsors: BLC, Benefits, Borjomi, Cliff Isaak, Deloitte, Dentons, Dio, EY, Frontera Resources, Geomill, Gvinadze & Partners, IRC, Jibe, Lisi Development, T&K Restaurants, Sid White, TBC Group, Terabank, Willis Towers Watson, Mrs. Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff, Catherine and Andrew Sidamon-EristoffElizabeth Zaldastani Napier, Hugh J. Robertson, M.D.
Special Thanks: AmCham Georgia, Nika Nikvashvili, Anchiskhati Choir, Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Levan Glonti, Elene Murjikneli, Saba Amirejibi, Studio Ana-Bana
Auction and Prizes Sponsors: Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, GAU, Funicular Restaurant, Hotel Brigitte, Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Living Roots, Pheasant Tears, Chateau mere, Hotel Savaneti, Winiveria, American Medical Centers, Betsy’s Hotel, Bioli Medical Wellness Resort, Food TV Geo, Art Visage Studio, Café Leila, Giga Kobidze, Gia Chkhatarashvili, DARAIA, Sam Raan Spa and Wellness Center, Lasha Jokhadze, Enamel Aesthetic Dentistry, Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel, Marusya and Alexandra Chavchavadze, Levan Glonti, Saba Amirejibi, Metropolitan Isaia Chanturia, Shumi Winery, Kate Machavariani, Kate Sidamonidze
Beverage sponsors: Borjomi, Pepsi
General Media Partner: The FINANCIAL.
Media Partners: Georgia Today, Radio Fortuna, Fortuna +, Radio Imedi, TV Pirveli, Food TV Geo
