KOM 2024 Annual Gala
November 21 @ 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
“Our Feet Will Carry Us”
Save the date for KOM’s 2024 Annual Gala on Thursday, November 21st.
This year’s event will be held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center.
As the first social services agency for Karen refugees in the US, we’ve made history and changed the lives of refugees and immigrants over the past 16 years. Our network has grown due to persistence, innovation, and partnership.
We welcome you for a social hour, buffet dinner, raffle drawing, and lively program. This year, we are introducing awards to recognize those who exemplify our values and have helped to advance our mission.
Date & Time:
Thursday,
November 21st,
5:30pm – 9:30pm
Location:
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Dr,
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
RSVP Here To Attend Our KOM 2024 Annual Gala
(ticket info & prices below)
Sponsor Our Event
As a valued community partner, we invite your organization to be a sponsor of this year’s event. Organizations may choose from four sponsorship levels, each with a number of benefits reaching our diverse audience of event attendees, clients, and social media followers.
Take a look at pricing and benefits at each sponsorship level here
Deadline to register as a sponsor for our gala is extended to Thursday, November 14th.
Register to sponsor our KOM 2024 Annual Gala online here.
Event proceeds will power KOM’s services including youth leadership and cultural activities, career training, financial coaching, community health education, and services for newly arrived refugees from all nations. With government and philanthropic grants declining after the pandemic, KOM relies on your support to keep our programs running and continue to adapt to changing needs.
If you have any questions about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Development Director, Alice Buckner, at (651) 202 3108 (you may text) or events@mnkaren.org.
Recognizing Our 2024 Gala Award Winners
Congratulations to Rosie Say for winning our Culture Bearer Award!
Rosie has been awarded the prestigious Culture Bearer Award for her incredible contributions to KOM’s mission, particularly through preserving and passing down the Karen weaving tradition to future generations.
Nominated and voted for by the KOM staff and Board of Directors, Rosie’s unwavering dedication to participating in community events has been recognized as a cherished gift. Her efforts continue to enrich the community, making a lasting impact on both culture and heritage.
Congratulations to Benjamin Aung (in memoriam) for winning our Service Award
Mr. Benjamin Aung (deceased) was a pioneering leader in Minnesota’s Karen community and other communities from Burma.
Among the first to arrive from Burma, he sponsored many refugees during the initial resettlement wave, helping to build a supportive foundation for newcomers. As a co-founder of the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) and a board member, his influence shaped decades of community growth and resilience.
His wife, Priscilla Aung, has also been a devoted advocate for the Karen community, supporting cultural preservation and empowerment. Inviting her and their family to the stage would honor not only Mr. Aung’s legacy but also her ongoing commitment, recognizing their profound and lasting impact on the community.
Harold Torrence Set to Perform!
Harold Torrence is a Latin American Guitarist and Musician. He will be performing both on stage and throughout the event. A teacher as well as a musician, Torrence regularly plays at different venues across the Twin Cities.
Register to the KOM 2024 Gala to see this incredible musician perform!
Raffle
We are excited to hold a raffle again this year as part of our gala festivities. Thank you to all who have contributed items. Our raffle donation period has now closed. Stay tuned to information about purchasing raffle tickets!
If you have any questions about the raffle or would like someone to pick up your donation from your business, please contact Alice Buckner at or events@mnkaren.org.
Tickets & RSVP
Ticket Prices:
Early Bird Ticket (Register by October 31st):
Individuals: $100
Students/Seniors: $80
Standard Ticket Rate (Register by November 8th):
Individuals: $115
Students/Seniors: $80
RSVP Here for Our 2024 Gala:
Fill out this form to register for individual tickets to our KOM 2024 Annual Gala
Thank you for your ongoing support of KOM, the Karen community, and immigrants and refugees in Minnesota. We look forward to celebrating with you at the KOM gala in November!
A special thank you to our sponsors of this year’s Gala:
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSOR:
BRONZE SPONSORS
Amherst Wilder Foundation
Bethesda Family Medicine Clinic
BIX Produce Company
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Emmanuel Church
First Karen Baptist Church
Health Partners
Hmong American Partnership
Intek Plastics
Prodeo Academy
Roseville Adult Learning Center
Shiloh Karen Baptist Church
SKD Auto Transport
St Thomas University
Trinity Church