Charity Events
2019 CHARITY EVENTS
14th of JUNE 2019: IWAI CHARITY SALE FOR GÜZELBAHÇE ENGELLİLER MECLİSİ
A very special mention to our IWAI Charity Coordinator, Isis Hale Batram, for her never ceasing dedication to IWAI’s goals. Our Charity Sale on 14 June was only possible due to the selfless hard work of Isis and her band of helpers.
Our sincere appreciation must be extended to the following Board and IWAI members for their amazing food preparation for the IWAI food table and hard work both before and at the Charity Sale:
We would also like to thank IWAI members who participated as stall vendors: Anna Lambert, Carmen Kama, İlknur Dinç Girgin and Helena Freirmuth. Thanks to all these ladies, and other IWAI members who attended on the day.
We are delighted to tell you that we successfully raised an amazing amount for our designated charities, Güzelbahçe Kent Konseyi Engelli Meclisi and Sait Güzelcan Ortaokulu in Bornova.
It’s also great that we have more ladies interested in joining IWAI after seeing our team work and socialise together!
Our sincere appreciation must be extended to the following Board and IWAI members for their amazing food preparation for the IWAI food table and hard work both before and at the Charity Sale:
- Hediye Dizioğlu
- Özlem Yarkın
- Jennifer Onay
- Carmen Kama
- Ohara Ona Mutlum
- Rose Franses
- Tecla Aperio
- Seda Yıldız
- Meral Sönmezgil
We would also like to thank IWAI members who participated as stall vendors: Anna Lambert, Carmen Kama, İlknur Dinç Girgin and Helena Freirmuth. Thanks to all these ladies, and other IWAI members who attended on the day.
We are delighted to tell you that we successfully raised an amazing amount for our designated charities, Güzelbahçe Kent Konseyi Engelli Meclisi and Sait Güzelcan Ortaokulu in Bornova.
It’s also great that we have more ladies interested in joining IWAI after seeing our team work and socialise together!
OTHER 2019 EVENTS
- Charity collection at the International Women's Day lunch
- Potluck charity lunch
White Elephant Charity sale at Teos Marina
28th October 2018
The idea of having a white elephant sale evolved from a brainstorming session between members of the board in September, at the end of our annual summer break. Our target is to purchase winter coats for underprivileged children, so we knew it had to be organised and held quickly, in order to raise the funds and place an order before the colder weather set in. Our first task was to select a location. Sigacik was chosen for two important reasons. Firstly, we had held a similar event in Sigacik a few years ago and received a lot of support from the local Seferihisar mayor, we hoped we could count on him again. Secondly, there is a very popular 'cittaslow' market located within the antique village walls, so we hoped to benefit (exploit!) the footfall that already exists on Sunday.
Once the location was chosen we approached Teos Marina and the Seferihisar Belediye mayor, to ask for their support. Both organisations were happy to help and sponsored the event enthusiastically by providing the location, free parking for vendors, advertising and the tables and chairs, which we then rented to raise money for our charity fund. The event was shared via social media and reservations for tables began to flood in. Our members responded eagerly to a call for volunteers and donations and the proceeding two weeks were spent collecting goods and organising carpooling.
The morning of the sale was bright and sunny, it promised to be a warm day. Our IWAI team arrived around 9 am and began cleaning the tables and chairs and setting up our spot. We received many donations which had to be sorted through and priced up. Many volunteers and participants arrived soon after and more tables had to be borrowed from Pier One Cafe, adjacent to the market. Before we knew it the event was underway and selling commenced. There didn't seem to be a quiet moment during the day; the music supplied by the marina ensured the crowds continued to find us. By 3pm we had sold more than 2/3s of our goods and we slowly began to pack up. We donated several leftover books to the school and the animal welfare stall, the remainder of our goods were taken home to be saved for a future event.
The White Elephant Sale was a great success, we raised a very respectable amount, just under 3000TL from the table rentals and our own goods sale. The IWAI was thanked by several vendors at the end of the afternoon and I think we can all feel proud by what was achieved that day.
Written by Charlotte Oskay
Photos by Charlotte Oskay
28th October 2018
The idea of having a white elephant sale evolved from a brainstorming session between members of the board in September, at the end of our annual summer break. Our target is to purchase winter coats for underprivileged children, so we knew it had to be organised and held quickly, in order to raise the funds and place an order before the colder weather set in. Our first task was to select a location. Sigacik was chosen for two important reasons. Firstly, we had held a similar event in Sigacik a few years ago and received a lot of support from the local Seferihisar mayor, we hoped we could count on him again. Secondly, there is a very popular 'cittaslow' market located within the antique village walls, so we hoped to benefit (exploit!) the footfall that already exists on Sunday.
Once the location was chosen we approached Teos Marina and the Seferihisar Belediye mayor, to ask for their support. Both organisations were happy to help and sponsored the event enthusiastically by providing the location, free parking for vendors, advertising and the tables and chairs, which we then rented to raise money for our charity fund. The event was shared via social media and reservations for tables began to flood in. Our members responded eagerly to a call for volunteers and donations and the proceeding two weeks were spent collecting goods and organising carpooling.
The morning of the sale was bright and sunny, it promised to be a warm day. Our IWAI team arrived around 9 am and began cleaning the tables and chairs and setting up our spot. We received many donations which had to be sorted through and priced up. Many volunteers and participants arrived soon after and more tables had to be borrowed from Pier One Cafe, adjacent to the market. Before we knew it the event was underway and selling commenced. There didn't seem to be a quiet moment during the day; the music supplied by the marina ensured the crowds continued to find us. By 3pm we had sold more than 2/3s of our goods and we slowly began to pack up. We donated several leftover books to the school and the animal welfare stall, the remainder of our goods were taken home to be saved for a future event.
The White Elephant Sale was a great success, we raised a very respectable amount, just under 3000TL from the table rentals and our own goods sale. The IWAI was thanked by several vendors at the end of the afternoon and I think we can all feel proud by what was achieved that day.
Written by Charlotte Oskay
Photos by Charlotte Oskay
IWAI's annual Christmas Bazaar was held on December 3rd, 2016 at the Swissotel. There were over 60 tables
Charity Events During 2015
IWAI's annual Christmas Ball was held on December 13th at the Swissotel.
IWAI's 3rd International Food Festival was again a big success. It was held on October 3rd at the Alyans Küçük Kulüp. 18 Countries participated and many prices have been won !
Charity Events During 2014
On Friday 5th of December 2014 at 19:30 we held a Christmas Charity Party in Hilton Hotel, Izmir/Alsancak.
Everybody had an amazing time accompanied by fabulous food and drinks. This was also our last IWAI event in 2014. The new board 2015 was introduced to the guests and the traditional glass bell symbolizing the presidency of IWAI was handed over to the new president Elgiz Perera.
Hilton Hotel hosted the IWAI Christmas Charity Party at net cost and all funds raised during the event benefited to the IWAI charity project: The children's and women's wards in Manisa psychiatric hospital. With the funds raised from and during the event IWAI will help the hospital to set up a cafeteria that will be run by women out patients. IWAI will also buy some needed items for the children's recreation room and library. This is the second major charity project for IWAI this year.
The IWAI Christmas Charity Party was held on the 32nd floor of Hilton restaurant with stunning views over the bay of Izmir. An extremely exquisite set dinner menu around the Christmas theme was served, including welcome drinks and all the gastronomical appropriate beverages.
At this event we also collected items that Manisa’s Psychiatric Hospital’s children ward recreation center requires. These gifts were displayed on two the tables during the party. These items will bring a bit of joy to children and teenagers undergoing hard times. The items will be handed over for Yil basi.
Through this action the members of IWAI, sponsors and friends want to show their sympathy with these women and children in difficult situations and show them that somebody cares about them!
Thank you to everyone for having contributed to the great party and to another successful IWAI Charity Event!
Everybody had an amazing time accompanied by fabulous food and drinks. This was also our last IWAI event in 2014. The new board 2015 was introduced to the guests and the traditional glass bell symbolizing the presidency of IWAI was handed over to the new president Elgiz Perera.
Hilton Hotel hosted the IWAI Christmas Charity Party at net cost and all funds raised during the event benefited to the IWAI charity project: The children's and women's wards in Manisa psychiatric hospital. With the funds raised from and during the event IWAI will help the hospital to set up a cafeteria that will be run by women out patients. IWAI will also buy some needed items for the children's recreation room and library. This is the second major charity project for IWAI this year.
The IWAI Christmas Charity Party was held on the 32nd floor of Hilton restaurant with stunning views over the bay of Izmir. An extremely exquisite set dinner menu around the Christmas theme was served, including welcome drinks and all the gastronomical appropriate beverages.
At this event we also collected items that Manisa’s Psychiatric Hospital’s children ward recreation center requires. These gifts were displayed on two the tables during the party. These items will bring a bit of joy to children and teenagers undergoing hard times. The items will be handed over for Yil basi.
Through this action the members of IWAI, sponsors and friends want to show their sympathy with these women and children in difficult situations and show them that somebody cares about them!
Thank you to everyone for having contributed to the great party and to another successful IWAI Charity Event!
This year we have once again a variety of exciting events lined up! The IWAI board decided to make the International Food Fair, organized for the first time in 2013, a yearly event in September. The Winter Ball in December is already an established major occasion, something that the members are looking forward to. There are many other big and small events coming up too.
We start the year with our first major evening event, the Wine and Cheese Evening at Hilton on March 7th. All the proceeds from the ticket sales go to charity, and we will also have a silent auction. The evening is sponsored by Hilton Hotel and Sevilen winery. IWAI is very grateful to have their support and partnership.
Charity Cheese Dinner in Hilton on 7.3.2014: A delicious cheese-themed 6 course dinner was served. Alongside with it we organized a silent auction!
More information and Pictures about the Charity events, go to: https://www.facebook.com/IwaiCharityProjects
2nd edition of IWAI International Food Event
It all started in 2013 with the idea that within IWAI we are an international crowd but don't know a lot about each other’s cultures. It is fact that Izmir's restaurant scenery is predominantly Turkish and that many foreigners living in Izmir, including me, miss authentic cuisine from other countries. Thus the idea of an International Food Event was born.
Given the huge success of the event in 2013 and the enormous positive feedback we knew that we will organize a second edition of the event in 2014.
The event was again organized in St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church who’s reverent, Father Ron, gave us the premises for free.
Over 50 dishes from 24 different countries prepared by 46 “chefs” - members and friends of IWAI - were served: Australia, Austria, Great Britain, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Lebanon, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, North Cyprus, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and USA! It was a real festival for the taste buds!
A professional jury who judged on all dishes added suspense! The jury was composed of three members: The executive chef of Hilton Şamil Akşit, the executive chef of Swissotel Wolfgang Gödl and Ayca Dikmen well-known journalist of Hürriyet and writer.
The winners did not only have honor of being rewarded by a professional jury of having prepared the best food but also received a breakfast/lunch voucher from Hilton Izmir and Renaissance Hotel Izmir to celebrate this prize!
This year as the best salty dish was elected a Finish dish prepared by Anja Vainionpää: the Cognac Marinated Salmon. The jury chose as the best sweet savory the Austrian desert, Apple Strudel, prepared by Tatjana Vetter-Blanckenstein. As the most original dish was rewarded an Iranian dish: Ush Soup prepared by Laden Smith.
The event received great approval and it was very well-attended, we had more than 200 guests plus children! Again we earned a considerable amount that will benefit to this year's charity project the women’s and children’s ward of the Manisa Psychiatric Hospital.
A big thank you to the supporters of the event: Reverent John Evans of St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church; Hilton Izmir once again a very generous sponsor provided us with the music system, table clothes, flags, table cloths, a breakfast voucher, ice cube machine and cocktail tables; Renaissance Hotel provided us with two lunch vouchers; fifteen students of Ege University volunteered at the event in the connection with a social responsibility program; Pınar Su contributed water; the Italian cultural institute of Izmir provided us with tables for the buffet and last but not least thank you to everybody who contributed food and helped in the organization, setting up, during the event and in the cleaning of the venue!
The positive feedback on the event was again overwhelming! We are proud having organized with the help of all volunteers and supporters again an unforgettable event!
Hence a tradition is born. We hope that in the following years many IWAI International Food Events will follow and that this was only a beginning of a yearlong tradition!
It all started in 2013 with the idea that within IWAI we are an international crowd but don't know a lot about each other’s cultures. It is fact that Izmir's restaurant scenery is predominantly Turkish and that many foreigners living in Izmir, including me, miss authentic cuisine from other countries. Thus the idea of an International Food Event was born.
Given the huge success of the event in 2013 and the enormous positive feedback we knew that we will organize a second edition of the event in 2014.
The event was again organized in St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church who’s reverent, Father Ron, gave us the premises for free.
Over 50 dishes from 24 different countries prepared by 46 “chefs” - members and friends of IWAI - were served: Australia, Austria, Great Britain, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Lebanon, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, North Cyprus, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and USA! It was a real festival for the taste buds!
A professional jury who judged on all dishes added suspense! The jury was composed of three members: The executive chef of Hilton Şamil Akşit, the executive chef of Swissotel Wolfgang Gödl and Ayca Dikmen well-known journalist of Hürriyet and writer.
The winners did not only have honor of being rewarded by a professional jury of having prepared the best food but also received a breakfast/lunch voucher from Hilton Izmir and Renaissance Hotel Izmir to celebrate this prize!
This year as the best salty dish was elected a Finish dish prepared by Anja Vainionpää: the Cognac Marinated Salmon. The jury chose as the best sweet savory the Austrian desert, Apple Strudel, prepared by Tatjana Vetter-Blanckenstein. As the most original dish was rewarded an Iranian dish: Ush Soup prepared by Laden Smith.
The event received great approval and it was very well-attended, we had more than 200 guests plus children! Again we earned a considerable amount that will benefit to this year's charity project the women’s and children’s ward of the Manisa Psychiatric Hospital.
A big thank you to the supporters of the event: Reverent John Evans of St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church; Hilton Izmir once again a very generous sponsor provided us with the music system, table clothes, flags, table cloths, a breakfast voucher, ice cube machine and cocktail tables; Renaissance Hotel provided us with two lunch vouchers; fifteen students of Ege University volunteered at the event in the connection with a social responsibility program; Pınar Su contributed water; the Italian cultural institute of Izmir provided us with tables for the buffet and last but not least thank you to everybody who contributed food and helped in the organization, setting up, during the event and in the cleaning of the venue!
The positive feedback on the event was again overwhelming! We are proud having organized with the help of all volunteers and supporters again an unforgettable event!
Hence a tradition is born. We hope that in the following years many IWAI International Food Events will follow and that this was only a beginning of a yearlong tradition!