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CHA R ITAB LE
Auctioneer Uladia Taylor
Dikembe Mutombo (center) with (left to right) Genise Huey, Derek Bottoms, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Dr. Jarrod Huey, Chris Twyman, Lovette Russell, Tashia Twyman, Nikkya Williams, Travis Williams and Michael Russell. Photos: Paul Biagui, Ross Oscar Knight
CARING FOR CONGO GALA
During the auction, Mutombo encouraged the crowd to bid higher on his coaching lessons for kids.
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Allison Ratajczak, Charmela Freeman
Rose and Dikembe Mutombo, Joanne and Sonny Hayes
Members of Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach spoke to the crowd about the organization’s humanitarian work.
early 500 attendees gathered at The St. Regis Atlanta to support the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation’s annual Caring for Congo Gala. The event, which included dinner and dancing, raised essential funds for the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (BMMH) in Dikembe’s home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Several VIPs, including Ambassador Andrew Young and his wife, Carolyn, were in attendance. Dr. Groesbeck Parham, Howard Buffett and the Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach (WOGO) were honored with awards. Auction winners snagged coveted prizes including tickets and hotel stays for the 2017 NBA All Star Game in New Orleans, basketball coaching lessons for 10 kids by NBA Hall of Famer Mutombo, a suite package at the St. Regis Atlanta, signed athletic memorabilia and African jewelry and art. The Mutombo hospital has treated more than 200,000 patients since its opening day and serves an increasing number of patients each month, treating more than 100 patients daily through emergent and outpatient care.
Dikembe Mutombo, DMF Development Director Alicia Smith
Howard Buffett accepted a Caring for Congo award.
African dancers from Giwayen Mata kicked off the evening.
November/December 2016 | Simply Buckhead
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