The Village Exchange Center (VEC) celebrated its 3rd Anniversary and annual fundraiser at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora on Wednesday, January 22.
Pastor and Co-Founder Marcel Narucki welcomed guests to the event. Among the honored guests were Deserai Crow, wife of Congressman Jason Crow, and Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Tyler, the Mountaintop Award presenter and pastor of Denver’s Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church. This year’s Mountaintop Award was presented to Papa Dia, Founder and President of the African Leadership Group (ALG), an advocacy organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for immigrants.
David and Elizabeth Pedley; Katherine and Chris Hahn
Founded in 2017, the Village Exchange Center is a non-profit organization formed to serve immigrants and refugees in the Aurora/Denver metro area. The Village Exchange Center is a community center that collaborates with critical programs for refugee, immigrant and local communities. The Center also offers community space to celebrate religious and cultural diversity.
The event, attended by more than 300 guests, featured several local Denver metro vendors and traditional foods from several countries. Entertainment was provided by the Old School Messengers, Gloria Congolese Choir, a cultural dance by Kachin Congregation, and Singer/Songwriter Rob Drabkin.
As a community center and multi-faith worship space VEC seeks to celebrate cultural and religious diversity by creating an inclusive environment where residents from all backgrounds interact, share and develop together.
According to the Center, during the past 40 years the United States has welcomed more than 3.2 million refugees representing more than 70 nationalities. The organization strives to provide a welcoming environment for all immigrants and refugees.
For more information visit www. villageexchangecenter.org or call 720-668-9968.
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- Gloria Congalese Choir
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- Gloria Congalese Choir performed after the program
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- Marcel Narucki, co-founder and director
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- Aleja Ospina, Ivan Hernandes
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- Several retail vendors were on hand during the event
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- Kasey Neiss, Chinelo Taylor, Sam DeBoskey
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- Aleja Ospina, Kasey Neiss, Chinelo Taylor, Sam DeBoskey
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- Gloria Congolese Choir singer gestures during entertainment
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- The Gloria Congolese Choir
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- Congolese singer entertains guests
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- Live Auctioneer Mike Lund generated many bids
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- An active live auction generated significant funds
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- Kasey Neiss, and Chinelo Taylor
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- Live auction donors support the organization’s work
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- Rob Drabkin and his band performed top hits from their album
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- Heather Shockley, Aleja Ospina, Adamu
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- Aleja Ospina with husband, Jorge Romero
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- Village Exchange Center Executive Director Amanda Blaurock (left) with staffers and friends
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- Kim Downing, Barbara Krelsmad, Michelle Graham
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- Cecilia Gutierrez of Pixies Closet with son
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- Kelly Gahan, Katherin Mayer, Sanjay Gulati
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- Executive Director Amanda Blaurock with guests
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- Meg Sagaria-Barritt, Aleja Ospina
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- Meg Sagaria-Barritt, Zahraan Otaifah, Nathalie Sabbagh
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- Alicia Santos, Malika Omlari, Aleja Ospina
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- Kelly Whitlock, Slavica Park
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- Sierra Alton, Ruby Narucki
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- Sierra Alton, Colton Lynn
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- Aleja Ospina (right) with guests
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- Singer/Songwriter Rob Drabkin has released several albums
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- Rob Drabkin and band
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- More than 300 attended the 3rd anniversary
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- Rob Drabkin and his band entertained for several hours
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- The event was held at the Stanley Marketplace Hangar
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- The Center celebrated its 3rd Anniversary at the Stanley Marketplace
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- Pixies Closet sells vintage clothing through their mobile purple bus
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- Merchants sold goods at the Global Artisan shop
