 In many ways, the Bridge to Change Benefit dinners are a lot like a homecoming for HBI. Over the past two nights we sold-out the event in the newly remodeled Tupai dining room at Portland's venerable Andina Restaurant. Over four courses of exceptional Peruvian cuisine - with paired wines from Elk Cove Vineyards - guests learned about our mission and updates from our main projects and programs. We also showcased a teaser for the upcoming Bridge to Change documentary (more on that bit of news in another Blog post). With a silent auction, raffle drawing and paddle-raiser - the event included a number of opportunities for guests to contribute to our work. It is always so humbling how generous people are; and this year, building on the tremendous successes of the 2017 event, we raised almost $90,000 to support our programs and projects. Wow! We were truly floored by all the generosity and support. The Bridge to Change Benefit is a special event for HBI and our supporters. And, like we said, in many ways its a lot like a homecoming . . . and, it is a true honor and privilege to have so many people believe in what we are doing. Until next year - Thank you so much to all of the attendees and supporters of the event. HBI would not be possible without you. And, if you didn't get a chance to attend the event and want to know more about what was said - check out a transcript of the remarks made by Wayne Centrone, Founder and Executive Director of HBI. 
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 There's only one day left before the 2018 Bridge to Change Benefit Dinner at Andina Restaurant.
This is an exciting time for our organization and I'm looking forward to telling the attendees at the Bridge to Change event about all the things we've been up to over the past year and a half. This year marks our ninth annual event - all of which have taken place at Portland's famous Andina Restaurant. We are so fortunate to have such a tremendous partnership with Andina and the Rodriguez de Platt Family. They've been big supporters of our work since our inception. As we prepare for the event, there is a real excitement for everything we've been able to accomplish. Even more so - there's a genuine realization as to the many people who have made our work possible. The Bridge to Change event is just as much about recognizing our accomplishments - as it is thanking our supporters for all of their ongoing belief in HBI. For those of you who plan to attend the Bridge to Change event - I look forward to seeing you and catching up. For those unable to attend - we'll be posting photos and a report on the Blog. And thank you to everyone for all the support. For a little nostalgia - check out the Blog post from our 2017 event, a record breaking fundraiser for HBI.  I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport on my way back to Portland. These past two weeks have flown by. Its hard to believe I sat in this exact chair two weeks ago with great anticipation and excitement for the project that lay ahead. Now, on the other side of this great experience, I can honestly say this past two weeks has been one of the most important periods of growth for me as the Executive Director and Founder of Health Bridges International.
I am a big believer in continuously seeking a new perspective. I know for a fact that when I am open to radically exploring new ways of looking at my life and the events that make up our work, I grow in ways that I could never have imagined. This past two weeks has been just that - an adventure in perspective. I've learned so much about the work we are doing through the vantage of the documentarians who are helping us to tell our story. Two nights ago, at a small "wrap party" (never thought I'd type those words) for the crew, one of the documentarians made a small speech - summarizing his experience over the two weeks of the project. He said, in very eloquent words, that he (and his partner documentarian) were struggling to understand how [they] were going to tell the story of HBI. He said, "in all honesty - I wasn't really sure what you [HBI] do." He went on to say - "then I came on this trip and we started to unfold the story of HBI. It was then that I truly understood the who and why of HBI. You are doing so much more than I or I think anyone knows or could possibly imagine." His partner then chimed in and stated, "I feel super confident that we will use this documentary to tell the powerful story of HBI - because you are doing amazing work in the world." It has been so humbling to have this opportunity. An opportunity to see the work (and world) of HBI through unique perspectives. I know that I have grown tremendously in my role as the Executive Director. And, I know that I have gained a new understanding of the oportunities that lay before us. I am so excited for the future.  The documentary team has been moving fast and furious. Over the past 6 days we've filmed interviews, b-roll footage, and human interest shots in locations all over the city of Lima. After multiple 14-hour days of production and filming, we arrived in the beautiful city of Arequipa last night for the next phase of the documentary.
We'll be in Arequipa for 4 days filming interviews with key stakeholders (Father Alex) and visiting with collaborative partners to truly capture the message of building bridges that is so central to the work of HBI. One thing that continues to surprise me - the lessons I receive from projects like this. The documentarians - two amazing young men by the name of Will Cuddy and Zachary Feiner - are teaching me so much. They are consummate professionals and have such easy going and gentle personalities. I am learning so much from these young men about the work and story of HBI. The more I talk about our programs, projects and model - the more I learn about our organization. I feel so privileged to be surrounded by such an amazing team of individuals. Stay tuned for more updates and photos from this amazing adventure that is the making of the HBI documentary.  We're making a movie. Well, not a movie per se - more of a short documentary. And, it is happening starting tomorrow.
As I type this message, I am on my way to Lima where I'll be meeting the documentary team. We'll spend the next two weeks in production. We've got our schedule, a well-developed plan (formulated over the past 2+ months of meetings), and a ton of energy. Why a documentary? HBI has grown tremendously over the past decade. We've really developed a unique model. The documentary will delve into the HBI collaboration model, our unique vision and focus and the numerous partnerships that makes everything possible. I'm excited to work on this project with two fantastic videographers and our amazing HBI team. Stay connected to the blog for updates as we traverse Perú in filming. |
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