Kupona’s inaugural event in Saratoga Springs, NY raises over $50,000

Last Thursday, we were thrilled to host our first fundraising event in Kupona’s hometown of Saratoga Springs, at Saratoga National Golf Club.

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Golfers enjoyed a round on Saratoga National’s award-winning golf course before friends, family, and supporters arrived for A Night for Health & Hope, a cocktail reception to unlock the potential of Tanzanian women and children living in poverty.

A few of our golfers enjoying a cocktail after playing 18-holes. Photo by Niki Rossi

A few of our golfers enjoying a cocktail after playing 18-holes. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Music from Just Nate and live painting from David Hill entertained guests as they sipped cocktails, indulged in passed appetizers and took in the magnificent Autumn views from the Ballroom patio.

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Items handmade by fistula survivors at The Mabinti Center were available for purchase and guests were invited to snap a photo in the photo booth donated by Johnson & Johnson’s Donate a Photo. There was fierce competition in our silent auction. The Kupona team was delighted to have such a great turnout and warm reception from the Saratoga community.

Kupona's Sami Bossalini and Alexandra Cairns in the Donate a Photo booth. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Kupona’s Sami Bossalini and Alexandra Cairns in the Donate a Photo booth. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

In her remarks, our Executive Director, Abbey, thanked our guests and sponsors, including Polyset, Saratoga Hospital, and DRB Interiors. She then shared her own story of how her son’s life was saved during delivery in Saratoga Hospital because they had access to high quality healthcare. Had he been born in Tanzania, the outcome would have been very different.

Abbey sharing Kupona's story with our guests. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Abbey sharing Kupona’s story with our guests. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

Thanks to the generosity of our guests, we exceeded our fundraising target for the evening, raising over $50,000 to purchase two new anesthesia machines for CCBRT. With this support, CCBRT will be able to continue to provide safe, high quality surgical care for thousands of people every year. By providing access to high quality healthcare through CCBRT, we can ensure more mothers, like Abbey, can celebrate their babies’ happy, healthy beginnings.

Abbey and her son in the photo booth. Photo by Niki Rossi

Abbey and her son in the photo booth. Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, golfers, guests, volunteers, and silent auction donors for their generosity and support. Thanks to Niki Rossi Photography for capturing the event, to artist David Hill and to musician Just Nate for contributing their time and talent to our event.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our golf committee, Tom Longe and Steve Seaboyer and our evening event planning committee chaired by Kelly Trendell, and Kristi and Ryan from Saratoga National Golf Club for making the event possible.

Together, we made high quality healthcare more accessible for thousands of families in Tanzania.

Thank you.