Celebration will benefit water project in Kenya




WATERWAYS—Above, Kenyan villagers  celebrate  the  clean  water system installed  in  their community. An Agoura High School alumnus has joined forces with an Oak Park High alumna and two other Los Angeles residents to organize the fourth annual fundraiser to build another fresh water well for a Kenyan village. A $10 donation will provide clean water for one person for 10 years, according to Aaron Horwitz, an event organizer. A well can be built for $5,300.

WATERWAYS—Above, Kenyan villagers celebrate the clean water system installed in their community. An Agoura High School alumnus has joined forces with an Oak Park High alumna and two other Los Angeles residents to organize the fourth annual fundraiser to build another fresh water well for a Kenyan village. A $10 donation will provide clean water for one person for 10 years, according to Aaron Horwitz, an event organizer. A well can be built for $5,300.

Though it’s November an “Octoberfeast” is being planned by several local high school alumni to inspire good cheer and charity.

Agoura High School alumni Aaron Horwitz, 27, and Carly Croick, 27, along with Bryan Wiedenheft, a graduate of Oak Park High, and Los Angeles residents Hannah McCoy, 25, and Vaishali Sampat, 25, are hosting the fourth annual feast.

The annual celebration has become a way for young people to enjoy a social gathering while doing something constructive for people in need, Horwitz said.

The Nov. 21 event will fund a fresh-water well for a Kenyan village.

Horwitz said that $10 will provide one villager with clean, safe water for 10 years.

“If we can raise just $5,300, we can build a well for a village of over 500 that will provide them clean water for an entire decade,” Horwitz said.

The group of friends started the Who Will? We Will! nonprofit four years ago to reach out to the world’s neediest people. The premise of the feast is simple— for a nominal fee, guests can attend a party with friends and plenty of food and know that 100 percent of the profit will go to a good cause.

The party will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sat., Nov. 21 in a rented space at 11624 Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles.

“We’ve been doing this for a few years now with increasing success with each event,” Horwitz said. “What we’ve learned is that most people do want to get involved in charity, (but) they simply don’t know how. With the feast, we provide that opportunity.”

In addition to a full German meal, a pint of ale and a souvenir, the $20 fee will include a variety of games, prizes and a silent auction. Up for grabs at the auction are a new, autographed “Birdhouse” Tony Hawk skate deck, a hot air balloon ride for two and a private magic show at the winner’s home from magician Brian Gillis, who appeared on the Johnny Carson show. Other items include a signed Wolfgang Puck cookbook, a pair of L.A. Kings hockey tickets, DVDs, video games, jewelry and clothing.

Proceeds from the 2007 and 2008 feasts funded a small orphanage in Cambodia. Last year’s picnic was so successful that the group raised enough money to pay for food, programs and other expenses for the orphanage for 11 months, Horwitz said.

The dinner for the group’s first feast in 2006 was cooked by Wiedenheft’s mother, and the party was at her Oak Park home. That year the young men and women raised money for School on Wheels, a Malibu-based nonprofit organization that helps underprivileged children.

The annual feasts have gotten so large that the Who Will team uses professional catering services.

To donate money to the Kenyan Water Project or to prepurchase tickets, visit the website www.WhoWillWeWill.com.

—Stephanie Bertholdo


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