2008 Children's Unit Luncheon

10TH ANNUAL CHILDREN'S UNIT LUNCHEON

Over 300 guests attended IRC’s 10th Annual Children’s Unit luncheon on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Metropolitan Club.  The theme for this year’s luncheon was From Harm to Home.   60 Minutes correspondent and IRC board member Scott Pelley served as the host and former refugees Christina Harmon IRC Education Officer (Liberia) and Ishmael Beah author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier were featured.  In a discussion moderated by Mr. Pelley, Ms. Harmon and Mr. Beah spoke about their journeys as refugees—Ms. Harmon from life in a refugee camp back to her home country, Mr. Beah to a new home in the U.S.  Mr. Pelley also showed an excerpt of his 60 Minutes report on Iraqi refugees.

At the end of the luncheon, IRC board member Andy Brimmer speaking on behalf of the luncheon benefit committee of donors, board members and overseers noted that the luncheon had already raised $230,000.  He told the sold out crowd that committee members had agreed to match additional donations given by luncheon guests and he challenged guests to give generously. The additional contributions raised by the challenge and the committee members brought the total raised to almost $300,000, a record for the event.

The annual Children’s Unit Luncheon raises vital funds for IRC’s lifesaving and life changing programs for children in 25 countries worldwide.