On Wednesday, November 22nd AmCham Latvia held its first Thanksgiving Charity Dinner to thank and support organizations and inspirational people who make Latvia a better place. Around 90 AmCham members and guests spent a joyful evening in a Thanksgiving spirit thanks to songs performed by Andris and Janis from SOS Children's Villages, classical guitar performance by Nikita Koselevs as well as the barbershop quartet "Harmonija Rīgai".  

The important part of Thanksgiving was devoted to the Human Development Awards ceremony and supporting our three principal charities: Latvian Foster Family Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvija (Care Mobile) and SOS Children's Villages in Latvia. We have worked with these organizations for many years now, and we highly value their work in providing healthy development of children and youth in Latvia. During the evening AmCham held a charity raffle and silent auction raising EUR 2620 for these organizations. We encourage our members to continue their support to these organizations throughout the year as well. There are many ways to do that - through financial or in-kind donation or by becoming a volunteer. 

The Civic Alliance of Latvia together with AmCham Latvia and the U.S. Embassy in Latvia held the fourth Human Development Awards ceremony during the dinner in order to honor inspirational people, businesses and organizations of Latvia who have significantly contributed to human development. The award aims at promoting initiatives that reduce inequality, foster social responsibility, enhance education, health, and well-being of the Latvian people and the future development of Latvia.

Short overview of the event is available below:

The Human Development Award 2017 winners were announced in four categories: 

Social Responsibility Award: The association "Integration for Society"

Outstanding Commitment to Education Award: Swedbank Latvia

Exemplary Contribution to Health and Well-Being Award: The Association "For Latvian Children with Disabilities"

The Future of Latvia Award: Vita Kalnina, Head of the Psychology Center "LINA"

The winners received custom-made sculpture "Sprout" designed by artist Olga Silova, money prize from the U.S. Embassy in Latvia and other special prizes by the program partners and sponsors. 

The festive dinner, Human Development Awards ceremony, as well as the charity raffle and silent auction, would not be possible without our generous sponsors. We would like to thank all of them for making this event so special.

Partners:

    

Amber sponsor:

Hamid Ladjevardi and family 

Gold sponsor:

Supporters:

                   
Mārtiņš Sesks        Inese Vaidere