6th Annual NYC Changemakers Gala, NYC

Taylor Kitsch, Connie Britton & African Children's Choir | Photo: PRPhotos/MJ Photos

Affair:  6th Annual NYC Changemakers Gala honoring Taylor Kitsch

When:  Thursday, November 20, 2014 @ 6:30 PM

Hot Spot:  City Winery, NYC

Deets: The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir came back to New York City for a special performance. Last year, they honored Connie Britton and this year, they awarded Taylor Kitsch (The Normal Heart, Lone Survivor, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Friday Night Lights) with the ChangeMakers Award for his continuous support of the African Children’s Choir. The event also featured a special performance by Rob Thomas. 

Guests were treated to a VIP happy hour where they were able to bid on auction items including paintings, show tickets and sports memorabilia. A formal sit down dinner followed where The African Children's Choir and Rob Thomas performed and Taylor Kitsch was honored with the ChangeMakers award. 

We spoke with ACC Founder, Ray Barnett, who said, "Taylor has gone to Uganda and done so much for the plight for the children of Africa. It was an easy decision to honor him tonight." Ray has a lot of favorite songs by the choir but some of his top picks include Walking in The Light, This Little Light of Mine, and most fittingly It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child.

The African Children’s Choir is composed of African children, aged 7 to 10 years old. Many have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. They represent all the children of a continent and they demonstrate the potential of African children to become strong leaders for a better future in their land.

The primary goal of the Choir is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in Africa and to raise funds for continued development and support of the African Children’s Choir Programs. The Choir’s international educational endeavour provides unique training for the children. Once Choir members have completed a concert tour, they will return to their homelands with the tools necessary for bettering their future. Thanks to the many donors and supporters who have experienced their joy and inspiration, over the past 30 years, the ACC has educated more than 52,000 children across Africa, and helped more than 100,000 people through their relief and development programs throughout the seven African countries the organization serves.

Spotted:  Taylor Kitsch, Rob Thomas, Connie Britton, Matt Harvey, Ray Barnett

Hint For The Average Socialite:  You can help this amazing organization by donating to the African Children's Choir or becoming a Friend of the Choir. If you are in Austin, consider buying tickets to their next event with Kyle Chandler at the Container Bar on December 4, 2014. 

What's Trending:  #changemakers #gala @acchoir @ThisIsRobThomas #accnyc2014 #TaylorKitsch @conniebritton #africanchildrenschoir

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