'Uplift Mara' Fundraiser to Feature African Food, Music and More!

'Uplift Mara' fundraiser tickets are now on sale

Friday, October 10, we are pleased to invite you to the inaugural "Uplift Mara" Fundraiser hosted by the Uplift Travel Foundation, recently launched as an official partner of the Utopia Foundation 501c3 and headquartered in Traverse City.

Great food, music and a panel of project experts will provide an inspiring backdrop to a silent auction filled with exciting items and unique experiences from our wonderful local partners and friends.

Tickets are $35 per person, which includes a trio of dishes sampling African cuisine paired with a homegrown glass of wine provided by our wonderful hosts at Brengman Family Winery of Traverse City. Read on for more information, or get your tickets now at brengmanfamilywines.com.

The Event Program

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at Brengman Family Winery — a local gathering place with 20+ years of experience creating exceptional wines and providing special experiences to all who visit — with food and drink offerings, as well as a silent auction, running throughout (see below for sample items). We are excited to welcome both TC Sings and a panel of project experts (including Madhvi Dalal, Founder of PadMad) to the event. Run of show will be as follows (subject to change):

• 6-7 p.m. Welcome, greetings and song list from TC Sings choir members

• 7-8 p.m. Intro to Uplift, panel of project experts discuss work in Kenya

• 8-9 p.m. Door prizes, silent auction announcements and thank yous

'Uplift Mara' Silent Auction

While enjoying the event, consider bidding on one or more items and experiences — assembled by a wonderful group of local volunteers — to benefit project partners in our six key Areas of Impact and help us continue making a difference.

Among items up for auction:

• Getaways to high-interest locales (including the island of Vieques, Mountain Grand Lodge, and more!)

• Art from celebrated local artists (including Bill Allen, Stephanie Schlatter and more!)

• Exciting culinary activities (including Chateau Chantal Fall Wine Dinner, the Perfect Pour behind-the-scenes with Higher Ground Coffee and more!)

• Unique experiences (including meet the authors, custom garden gate design and more!)

How Can I Help?

Buy a Ticket | Your ticket includes $10 to support Uplift and you will receive a trio of dishes sampling African cuisine, paired with a homegrown glass of wine. All proceeds go toward our work to Uplift Mara with project partners like PadMad.

Make a Donation | By working together, one contribution at a time, we can open doors to education, create opportunities for women and girls, and uplift small businesses — building stronger, more resilient communities.

Subscribe | Stay up to date on our project partners and goals by subscribing to our newsletter where we share beautiful photos, news stories and more information about ongoing work to "Uplift Mara" in Kenya.

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. — an African proverb

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about the Uplift Travel Foundation and our wonderful in-country partners and projects. Learn more about our areas of impact and upcoming events at UpliftTravel.org.