Namaste Recap

The culmination of serious planning, hard work, tasty food from around the world, live music, silent auction, and a wonderful mission led to a wildly successful Namaste event. Trinity Commons was abuzz last Friday with those celebrating at IPM's 10th annual Namaste event. Here's a photo recap

First up, the food. The food was from around the world representing projects in each region that IPM supports. The amazing cuisine was generously prepared by this guy, the Pope himself. Chef Clark Pope!

After trying some delectable dishes. Up next was the good music. Carlos Jones and the Plus Band kept the crowd jammin to some great reggae and helped set the mood for a fun and lively event. They really got the crowd going and people were even getting down on the dance floor. Ya mon!

Then I met some absolutely tremendous people! There were booths set up outside of the event of vendors that have IPM and international commitments.

Meet Karen, the founder of Girls for the World. I have never met such a positive, vivacious, and adventurous woman. I spent about a half hour talking to her. She founded this organization which is dedicated to the growth, development, and empowerment of girls as powerful agents of social change in their communities and in the world. Her last workshop was in India, and she will soon set off to Peru to help more young women find their voice. Girl Power! What a pleasure to meet her and learn about an unbelievable woman dedicated to changing the world, one girl at a time! Learn more about Girls for the World here.

Then I met Sr. Marie of the Sisters of Notre Dame. I have a special place in my heart for these Sisters through my family, and Sr. Marie was no different. She was sweet, spunky, and in tune to the needs and community of young women, both locally and globally. Sr. Marie herself frequently is on the Sisters' Facebook page, uploading pictures and staying connected with the global women's community. Way to go Sister! Like their page and learn more here. The Sisters of Notre Dame have missions set up in India, Nicaragua and more. They have programs that teach marginalized women about health care, education, and spirituality. It was great to see a religious order reaching out to empower young women as well by using social media and ground efforts to connect and help women around the world!

After chatting with the ladies, and other booth vendors, I headed back inside as the event kicked into full swing. The silent live auction was a success and people were really enjoying themselves.

Let the bidding wars begin!



Awesome Namaste committee members that made this event possible!

Then we heard from Joe Cistone, the CEO of IPM and recollected about the growth of this outstanding event over the past ten years, and the wonderful people who make it happen. I'd like to personally thank Jean Ann Sekerak for leading the event planning and her unending positivity and creative ways to make the event terrific.


It was such an impressive group of people I got to work with for this event. Everyone pitched in and had an excellent attitude about doing it. I met people near and far who have similar values about making the world a better place. And Namaste was a successful event that will continue to raise awareness and financial needs for humanitarian and educational projects around the world! Learn more about IPM projects here.