520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 280
Houston, TX 77027
713.963.9390
713.963.8527 (fax)

STAFF | RECENT EVENTS | VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Staff

John M. Tsacrios, Jr., Regional Director
Karen Turney, Regional Development Officer
Nathalie Herpin, Regional Development Coordinator

The Southwest Chapter is grateful for the volunteer leadership of our Board of Directors.

Emergency Relief Efforts

Bangladesh - Cyclone Cidr
Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh in November affecting 8.4 million people in 30 districts. More than 3,000 deaths have been confirmed. Approximately half of the affected people are children and over 600,000 are under 5 years of age. UNICEF's emergency operations have focused on four of the most urgent needs: shelter, food, water, and sanitation, as well as providing assistance for education and child protection. Recovery efforts are continuing with the assistance of UNICEF.

Tabasco, Mexico Flooding
In what is one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country, officials with UNICEf and the Mexican Government estimate that one third of those affected by the 2007 fall floods in the Mexican State of Tabasco are children. Of particular concern is the high risk of water borne diseases that thrive in flood conditions and disproportionately affect children. UNICEF has provided emergency school kits, basic personal hygiene and household items, and psychosocial support.

Peru Earthquake
The death toll in Peru has risen to over 500 people, mostly children and over 1,500 more are severely injured and traumatized by the earthquakes that ravaged Peru this past fall. UNICEF, having a living presence in Peru since 1948, was able to immediately respond to this dire emergency through the Ministry of Health's National Defense Bureau by providing urgent life saving supplies that helped to alleviate the serious conditions of the displaced children and their families.

Recent Events

© Naz Husain

The Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mr. Afzal Ahmed, and Dr. Carolyn Farb 

Bangladesh Festival

Saturday, January 26th, 2008, the Bangladesh Association in partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNCIEF culminated in a month long fundraising campaign which raised $50,000 in support of UNICEF's emergency relief efforts for the victims of Cyclone Sidr.

Ounce Prime Steakhouse Grand Opening

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Mr. Kinky Friedman, Dr. Carolyn Farb, and Mr. Jorge Fernandez, Sr. 

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007, Ounce Prime Steakhouse owner Jorge Fernandez invited UNICEF friends to the grand opening celebration in Addison, Texas. In the spirit of the holiday season, Ounce made a contribution of $15,000 to UNICEF's Mexico Flood Emergency Relief Efforts. The UNICEF scarf/tie sales and a Silent Auction brought the total funds raised that evening to $16,307.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Grand Opening

© Kim Coffman

Ms. Dee Lincoln, Mr. John Tsacrios, and Dr. Carolyn Farb

Saturday, November 17th, 2007, Arthur Mooradain, General Manager of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse invited UNCIEF friends to the grand opening celebration in the Galleria. In the spirit of the holiday season, Del Frisco's and Momentum Jaguar made a contribution of $30,000 to UNICEF's Child Survival Programs. The Sports Celebrity Memorabilia Silent Auction and UNICEF scarf/tie sales brought the total funds raised that evening to $36,574.

Jenna Bush Luncheon

© Kim Coffman

Ms. Jenna Bush and Dr. Carolyn Farb

On October 19th, 2007 Jenna Bush joined us to celebrate the launch of her new book, Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, based on her internship with UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jenna described to us Ana’s story and how it represents the plight of far too many children in the region who are affected by HIV/AIDS, violence, and exclusion. More than half of the children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean live in conditions of extreme poverty. We are so grateful that Jenna’s book gives them a voice and empowers us to work together to make a difference in their lives.

Jewels, Delectable Edibles and Martinis

© Pete Baatz

Mrs. Kimberly DeLape, Mr. Michael Kazanjian, and Dr. Carolyn Farb

On October 5th, 2007, Jewels, Delectable Edibles and Martinis introduced the talented jewelry designs of Patrick Mauboussin, a member of the historic Parisian jewelry dynasty. Patrick M in collaboration with third generation Kazanjian Bros. made Houston a stop on their inaugural tour. This event benefited UNICEF’s School-in-a-Box program via ticket sales and by providing 15% of jewelry sales this program. The Kazanjian Family Foundation has also generously gifted UNICEF with $45,779.83 to support UNICEF’s efforts on behalf of children’s programs related to Katrina survivors in New Orleans. The mission of the Kazanjian Family Foundation provides programs to benefit disadvantaged children and underprivileged youth. For over 90 years, the Kazanjian family has made an ongoing philanthropic commitment in various communities throughout the United States and we are fortunate that they will continue their support of UNICEF.

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Field Visits

Recently, John Tsacrios, Regional Director and Karen Turney, Development Officer were able to visit Panama and see the programs UNICEF is working on in the Latin America region. This trip saw programs in action for those children often overlooked.

Volunteer Opportunities

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Volunteer/Interns from the University of Houston: Aydin, Business Major from Turkey, and Slava, Anthropology Major from Bulgaria

If you would like to volunteer to help raise money through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF or other youth activities, please call 1.800.4UNICEF.

If you are interested in volunteering for local events, office or clerical work, or applying for internships, please contact Nathalie Herpin, Regional Development Coordinator at (713) 963-9390 or download the volunteer application and fax to (713) 963-8527.

Board of Directors