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KOM 2024 Annual Gala

November 21 @ 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

KOM 2024 Annual Gala invitation postcard with a digital art image of a woman and child walking away from the viewer, with a dialogue bubble of the woman saying "Our feet will carry us to safety, so let's keep going."
KOM 2024 Annual Gala main event design. Art by: Eh Soe Dwe, Our Feet Will Carry Us (2023), Digital art, 8×8, copy of full story located at Mandalay Kitchen.

 

 

“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

Rosie Say, Culture Bearer Award Winner for KOM’s 2024 Annual Gala
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.

 

Benjamin Aung, Service Award winner for KOM’s 2024 Annual Gala.
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, Latin American Guitarist and Musician

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:

M Health Fairview
M Health Fairview

 

 

GOLD SPONSORS:

Jody Baber State Farm Agency
Jody Baber State Farm Agency
Century College

Inver Grove Toyota
Inver Grove Toyota and Maplewood Toyota

SILVER SPONSOR:

Japs-Olson Company Commercial Print & Direct Mailers
Japs-Olson Company Commercial Print & Direct Mailers

 

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

Details

Date:
November 21
Time:
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Venue

Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Dr
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 United States
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