More than 200 guests enjoyed an African Community Celebration at Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) on Friday, to celebrate Lowell’s vibrant African community while raising funds for the health center’s WrapAround Fund, which pays for health services that are not covered by insurance. The event raised over $30,000 for the fund.
Led by Master of Ceremonies Peter Thuo Karugu, this festive event featured music by DJ Mora and DJ Mamba, a dance performance by dancers Laurie Fonhoue and Judith Lushike of the African Queens, food catered by Chef Wanjiru, raffles and live auctions. Guests of Honors Mercy Anampiu, Gordon Halm, Lorna Kiplagat, Susan West Levine (health center CEO), Esther Nganga, Clement Nganga, Anthony Nganga, Daniel Nyoro, Ruth Ogembo, and Jackie Wangutusi raised almost $15,000 toward the event total.
“This was an opportunity for Lowell’s African community to give back to Lowell CHC, and for Lowell CHC to get to know its African neighbors a little better,” said Mercy Anampiu, Event Chair. “We are so grateful to everyone who purchased a ticket and to our sponsors for making our success possible.” Anampiu serves as Director of Health Promotion and Education for the health center. Other committee members included: Clare Gunther, Vanna Howard, Faith Kaliba, Lorna Kiplagat, Carley Monell, Esther Nganga and Sheila Och.
Event sponsors included The Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Tufts Health Plan, at the Maasai Mara level; Digital Federal Credit Union, Dr. Wassim Mazrasny, Greater Lowell Health Alliance, Humble Home Care Services, Lowell Community Public Charter School, Middlesex Community College, and New England homecare Solutions, Inc. at the Nile level; and Edler Services of the MV, International Institute of New England, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, DJ Mora & DJ Mamba, UMass Lowell, and Washington Savings Bank at the Victoria Falls level. Catherine the Decorator, Damaris Wanjira Njenga, First United Baptist Church, Ghanaian Drummer, Irene Munene, PCEA Neema Church, Ralph Brown Jr. Chapter of Blacks in Government, Thuothuo Photography, Margaret Dorzin, and Peter Thuo Karugu also supported this event with in-kind assistance.
Founded in 1970, Lowell CHC serves as the “family doctor” for more than 32,000 patients in Greater Lowell and touches the lives of more than 50,000 people through health care, outreach and education, teen programs, behavioral health services, and health care workforce education. For information, call 978.937.9700 or visit www.lchealth.org.
Below are some photos from the event (Click Image to enlarge).
