CRA 9th Annual Fundraiser Reception

Congress of Russian Americans' fundraiser/reception on Saturday, May 7 was a great success with a large turnout at the "Chateau Bleu" in San Francisco. "Chateau Bleu" was built in 1901 for Baron von Rothschild and designed by the same architect as that of "Petit Trianon", the site of numerous CRA fundraisers in the past. "Chateau Bleu" has stood amongst some of the most beautiful buildings in the elite district of San Francisco and served different purposes throughout the last century, including a residence, a school, a restaurant, a guest house, retirement home and now again a private residence. At the request of B.Anissimov, the owner, Eric & Lana Neplokh generously donated the use of their home for the CRA reception and were extremely amenable to every detail of the event, including allowing more people to attend, than they had initially anticipated and clearing out all their furniture to make way for tables to accommodate the wine tasting, silent auction and art exhibitors.

With the marvelous back-ground music of Honor Artist of Russia, Yvgenyi Shilin, who played classical guitar in the beginning and end of the reception, guests reviewed the art exhibit of local Russian artists and exhibitors of various artists from Russia. CRA has supported numerous cultural, as well as humanitarian programs, and some of the artists whose art work was displayed were handicapped artists in Russia and their artwork was exhibited through Russian Fine art. Also, artwork of Olga Parr and Sokoloff Art & Framing, who have participated and supported CRA and it's programs during all of the previous fundraisers, was displayed, as well as Maria Lobanovsky, whose late father Jaroslav Lobanovsky was a well-known artist in San Francisco for many years.

While mingling with various representatives of the Russian community organizations, guests were able to have delicious hors d'ouevres, prepared by Matushka Tatiana of the "All Saints Church of Russia" in Burlingame, and served by the Russian students of the St.John's Academy. This partnership with St.John's Academy proved to be very fruitful, since the students who volunteered were some of the best representatives of the Russian American community youth – very polite, helpful and professional.

Wine tasting was available on all 3 floors with a variety of different wines from California, as well as South America, Europe and Australia & New Zealand. A percentage of the wines and artwork purchased went towards the CRA humanitarian programs, such as the current medical program of ophthamologists going to St.Petersburg for surgeries, and Educational and Youth programs in US, where CRA has supported our Russian American youth in various organizations, such as Russian Schools, Scouts, and is currently raising funds to build a Russian School at the St.John's church in San Diego.

Special guest of honor was Prince Andrew Romanoff (grandson of Grand Duchess Xenia, sister of Tsar Nicholas II), who gave a brief speech in support of the Congress of Russian Americans, how he was brought up in London on the grounds of Windsor Castle and displayed his artwork and his book "The Boy Who Would be Tsar".

When thanked for organizing the fundraiser, CRA President, N. Sabelnik, acknowledged that it was a joint effort on the entire fundraising committee, including N. & V. Loukianoff, A. Derugina, M. Soboleva, T. Savatieff, M. Danich, K. Wilkes and her own children - Katherine, Victoria and Nikolai. In her opening remarks, she thanked all who came to support the event, those who sent in donations, and commented that funds raised at CRA go towards the children's programs in Russia and the US, and that when representatives, directors or doctors travel on behalf of the organization's work, that these flights are paid for each individual, and not from CRA funds.

Members of the SF Academy Orchestra and SF Symphony, student musicians, assemble a splendid program "String Quintet" that played Tchaikovsky's "Serenade for Strings, Eligie & Finale". CRA has supported the SF Academy Orchestra for numerous years, where members of the academy are chosen to go on to play in prestigious orchestras, symphonies and operas.

A silent auction representing some of the finest artifacts donated by the community organizations, as well as supporters of CRA, concluded the evening. Against the backdrop of a beautiful Tiffany stained-glass window, spectacular views of the city, and a wonderful evening of music, art, fine food and wine, and an atmosphere of joy, the CRA reception is always considered one of the elegant events of the year that promotes Russian language, culture and heritage.