Anne at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village graduation. —Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village photo
The Harrison family’s scenic Double H Farm in Ridgefield will host a special charity event on Saturday, Sept. 13, to honor philanthropist Anne Heyman.
Ms. Heyman founded the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda for children orphaned by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. Ms. Heyman died this past winter following a fall from her horse while competing in Wellington at the age of 52.
Anne’s Night will feature dinner, entertainment, and a live auction to raise money to support and continue Ms. Heyman’s work with the youth of Rwanda.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. Along with the Harrison family, Becky and David Gochman of North Salem have sponsored the evening, which coincides with the American Gold Cup show jumping event at Old Salem Farm.
$12 million raised
Anne with her horse Galant Dream.
Ms. Heyman was an avid equestrian who rode horses for many years and competed regularly in the Masters show jumping division later in life. Fellow competitor Sally Slater rode in the same division as Ms. Heyman and was moved by her charitable work in Rwanda. Ms. Slater worked to bring the Anne’s Night event together.
“Anne had shared passions that we all could relate to: her family, her horses, and the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village,” Ms. Slater said.
When Ms. Heyman learned in 2005 that the genocide in Rwanda had orphaned 1.2 million children, she devoted herself to their assistance, raising more than $12 million and recruiting expert help from Rwanda, Israel, and the United States. Today the village houses about 500 young people who go to school, work on a farm, and learn trades, preparing them to give back once they have graduated.
Keeping it going
Anne’s Night will feature a safari-style party with dinner and an array of live auction items.
Some of the auction items include The Owner’s Box at Barclays Center, which seats 24, for the Justin Timberlake concert in December 2014; an internship at Sam Edelman Shoes for one week of winner’s choice (for 17 years old and older); a private box at each leg of the Triple Crown races; Katy Perry concert tickets and backstage time; a weekend of training with Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward, including dinner with McLain and his wife Lauren; a customized golf cart; a custom-designed sculpture donated by The Harrison Family; artwork; the opportunity to support capital improvement projects at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.
The party will feature musical guests, including: Kelli O’Hara, Broadway performer five-time Tony Award winner; Sophie B. Hawkins, Grammy Award nominated singer; and Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band drummer) and his band with vocalist Curtis King. Rider and trainer Jimmy Torano will be the evening’s master of ceremonies.
Those who cannot attend may still donate money or become a sponsor by emailing Annesnight@gmail.com or call Sally Slater at 914-584-0137. More information can be found on the Facebook page for Anne’s Night at facebook.com/annesnight.