The Tibet Fund Honors Tibetan Humanitarian Activist and the Dalai Lama’s former Special Envoy Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari - ICT Press Release/ENG

2012. szeptember 25./ICT/TibetPress

http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-press-releases/tibet-fund-honors-tibetan-humanitarian-activist-and-dalai-lama%E2%80%99s-former-special-envoy-lo

Top chefs join host Eric Ripert to pay tribute to four decades of determination and leadership

NEW YORK – On Tuesday, October 2, The Tibet Fund celebrates another successful year of service to the Tibetan people with a gala dinner hosted by chef and television personality Eric Ripert of the three-star Michelin-rated Le Bernardin and host of “On The Table” on YouTube’s RESERVE CHANNEL.

This year’s gala will be held at the legendary Le Cirque restaurant and includes a celebratory five-course dinner prepared by Ripert, Laurent Manrique of Millesime and San Francisco’s Café de la Presse; Jeremy McMillan, head chef of Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn; and chef Olivier Reginensi of Le Cirque. Le Bernardin’s pastry chef Laurie Jon Moran will end the meal on a sweet and satisfying note. The evening will feature an special intimate performance with renowned jazz artist Stanley Jordan.

The honoree is Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, former Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is a prominent Tibetan leader being recognized for his tireless efforts to gain autonomy and democratic freedoms for the Tibetan people and congressional support for Tibetan organizations serving Tibetan refugees and Tibetans in Tibet.

"Lodi Gyari is one of my oldest and dearest friends," says Tibet Fund’s Benefit Committee co-chair, Richard Gere. “It gives me the greatest pleasure on behalf of the Tibet Fund to honor his immeasurable contributions to the cause of Tibet and the continued survival of its priceless culture through his unique personal and diplomatic skills. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Special Envoy he has been a trusted, respected and wise face of Tibet's nonviolent struggle in capitals all around the world. We are honored to celebrate his lifetime of dedicated and meaningful service."

“It’s a true privilege to be involved with the Tibet Fund once again this year,” says Ripert. “It’s important that we recognize the organization and their achievements in assisting the Tibetan community and to also help them in continuing to reach the many members of the community in need.”

The reception starts at 7 p.m. with performances by Tibetan musicians and an auction comprised of art and photography by well-known artists and, luxury items and experiences such as a as a priceless watercolor on paper from Francesco Clemente or a once in a lifetime trek in the Himalaya Mountains guided by Everest Conqueror Jamling Tenzin, son of Tenzin Norgay Sherpa, the first man to climb Mount Everest.

The gala dinner will follow at 8 p.m.

Tickets cost $1,000 per person for an individual seat, and full and half-sized table sponsorships are available for $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000 respectively. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will support the work of The Tibet Fund. If you cannot attend the event, but still wish to make a donation, email jcox@tiberfund.org.

The Tibet Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 under the auspices of the Dalai Lama to help Tibetan refugees to rebuild their lives and ensure that Tibetan culture, and religious and national identity remain a vibrant part of our global heritage. Since then, The Tibet Fund has grown to become the primary funding organization for health, education, refugee rehabilitation, community and economic development, and cultural preservation programs in exile and in Tibet.