 2011 Evening of Celebration
 Pictured: Board Member Michelle Tong and President and Founder Gena Palumbo on either side of the evening's performers.
Wednesday, June 1st marked a special evening for the 140 attendees of the Children of China Pediatrics Foundation 2011 Evening of Celebration held in the prestigious Low Memorial Library on the campus of Columbia University.
The evening began with cocktails amid the ancient Chinese ceramics and bronzes from the Sackler Collections at Columbia University. Guests were escorted to the main rotunda where tables decorated with enchanting lighted centerpieces illuminated the enormous domed ceiling. Television celebrities Cindy Hsu, WCBS-TV Anchor and Arthur Chi'en, WPIX-TV Reporter emceed the evening and opened the program with their personal connections to helping children in China. Gena Palumbo, President and Founder of CCPF, described the many ways that CCPF is changing lives and she shared a video produced during one of the twelve medical missions the organization has performed.
 Pictured L-R: Gala emcee Arthur Chi'en, Gena Palumbo, and Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn.
Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, noted expert on China and author of "How China's Leaders Think: The Inside Story of China's Reform and What This Means to the Future" gave the audience compelling reasons why CCPF's work, and other NGO's efforts, are helping to shape China's future. He described that in conjunction with China's increasing economic power, the Chinese also desire to understand the purpose and culture of philanthropy.
 Pictured: David and Noreen O'Brien.
The evening's second honoree, David O'Brien, shared his family's story and their decision to adopt two special needs children from China. He and his wife, Noreen, and their two children received standing ovations. At the end of the evening, the audience was treated to a beautiful vocal performance by Fang Tao Jiang. Her soprano voice filled the room and captured the hearts of the audience. She also introduced two special guest performers: Gloria Tang and Alison Kaplon, in their debut performances that included a sing-along of "Over the Rainbow" with the audience.
 Pictured: Soprano Fang Tao Jiang with guest performers Gloria Tang and Alison Kaplon.
As the mission of CCPF was palpable throughout the evening, guests took part in the live auction bidding on dream vacations and experiences, and guests who didn't win the bidding, showed their generosity during the live appeal. The evening netted CCPF $85,000 — enough to cover the costs for our next mission, and help at least fifty more children receive life-changing surgeries. You can still support us by making a tax-deductible DONATION. Thank you for your life-changing support.
 Cocktail hour
The evening's emcees Cindy Hsu, WCBS-TV Anchor, and Arthur Chi'en, WPIX-TV Reporter.
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