Munaluchi Bridal Magazine & Nnenna Agba Supports H20 for Africa Fundraising Dinner

May 1, 2011

Rain, rain, rain go away may be a popular children’s chant but for Village Health Care Services, it’s the opposite of their mission. The rainy weather did not prevent a huge turnoff of smart African professionals to come out and support the fundraiser dinner, H20 for Africa. Village Health Care Services is a non-profit organization that provides African communities with boreholes for clean water. With their mission boldly demonstrated through the rainy weather, not even America’s Next Top Model Cycle 5 star Nnenna Agba and Munaluchi Bridal Magazine’s creative team Jacqueline Nwobu and Eronnwon Balogun could resist supporting a positive contributing cause!

Veronica Anokute, founder and creative director of Village Health Care Services, launched this charitable organization to provided accessible water to people living in Nigeria. Anokute in her opening speech said she was moved to start her foundation when she heard stories of children travelling far from their homes to collect clean water for their family.

Fact: More than 300 million people in Africa do not have access to clean water.

1.4 children die every year from causes related to unclean water and sanitation.

Solution: Clean Water Changes Everything

Munaluchi Bridal’s Jacqueline Nwobu served as the chief sponsor and host of the event with Desiree Whitfield of Whit PR as the event’s PR representative. Nwobu didn’t allow her nude open-toe 5 inch platforms stop her from her hosting duties which included welcoming close family and friends and the charity’s supporters such as Arik and UPS with a great disposition. Following suit was her public relations guru, the hard working Dreena Whitfield who tirelessly made sure each agenda went as plan from outfitting the indidivudal gift bags for each attendee to overseeing the successful silent auction. Nwobu and Whitfield, both New Jersey-natives, was a sight to see as they maneuvered around the venue in a upbeat manner.

Each invited guest was given a swanky gift bag filled with a current copy of Munaluchi Bridal Magazine, a bottle of Vitamin Water One, Burt’s Bees Wax Lip Balm, VerMints All Natural Chai Pastilles Mint, a ARIK Air Pamphlet, a Health First Hand Sanitzer, and Shea Radiance Ultra Rich Shea Butter Cream in Chocolate Truffle.

Midway through the event one of the show’s highlights took center stage during the dance floor opening. Eager attendees instead dashed off towards Nigerian model Nnenna for a photo opportunity. Scores of people – attendees and photographers flooded Nnenna for a photo chance which she graciously did with a smile. When the DJ played classic P-Square songs close friend Tiffany Aliche of blog, The Budgetnista and Chike Uzoka, a gifted speaker, hosted a dance off which got the approval of the camera’s flashing lights. Simply said the dance floor was the place to be seen at the event. Special performances from girl group Bloom, singer and Afro dance troupe received generous applause and cheer. Simply said, being on the dance floor was the place to be seen and heard.

The silent auction was one of the night’s biggest hits with attendees. Munaluchi Bridal’s Creative Director Eronnwon Balogun bid and won the coveted Jewel By Lisa Ankara jeweled strapless dress – the very print that Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji wore at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards. When attention turned to how the two round trip tickets from Arik had too many bids to declare a winner, the energetic crowd went into competitive mode before closing off at $2200. As any Nigerian can tell you, purchasing a plane ride can cost you a pretty penny! Saint Wobil, whose grandfather is Nigerian from the Yoruba ethnic group, revealed to me exclusively that his highly anticipated collection will be shown at the upcoming Africa Fashion Week on July 16th! A blue, low-cut ruffle number from Saint Wobil was also included in the silent auction. Other items on the silent auction were a gift certificate to the Sushi Lounge, a bow tie, and an Afrocentric pin.

Silent Auction – Jewel By Lisa dress

Silent Auction – Saint Wobil dress

The event was great from the music to the food to the lively attendees to the cozy setting done by Jackie and Desiree. The money fundraised will definitely make a difference in someone’s life and I’m glad I was there to lend a supporting hand for a great cause. Despites murmurs of whether the rain will turn people away, the rain turned out to a true blessing in the disguise. If you want to be a part of bringing water to disadvantaged people in Africa, please click on the following links below.