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You are here: Home / Passages Newsletter / Eighth Annual KBI Dinner: The Power of Accompaniment

April 17, 2018 By Kino Border Initiative Leave a Comment

Eighth Annual KBI Dinner: The Power of Accompaniment

Father Sean Carroll, S.J., KBI Executive Director, welcomed guests at the outdoor reception of the Eighth Annual Kino Border Initiative Dinner held at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ.
Photo by Jake Kelly.

Once again, friends of the KBI gathered in Phoenix—exceeding past attendance and fundraising goals—to support our mission, programs, and those we serve, and learn more about the KBI’s work and latest initiatives.

On Saturday evening, March 3, 2018, KBI supporters gathered for the Eight Annual KBI Dinner, a festive occasion with a serious purpose: it is the KBI’s largest fundraiser of the year and a major source of support in our mission to promote humane and just immigration policies and stand with—accompany—the migrants we serve. With 440 guests, dinner attendance was greater than ever, and the event raised an unprecedented $246,000 for the KBI’s direct aid, education, advocacy, and legal programs.

After the reception and Silent Auction bidding encouraged by Frank Camacho, the KBI’s Father Samuel Lozana de los Santos, S.J. serenaded the guests as they took their seats with his guitar and a song composed especially for the evening. Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of Phoenix offered a blessing, and the KBI’s Joanna Williams and Sister Alicia Guevara Perez, M.E. led a hand-motion “icebreaker” (an engaging therapeutic exercise performed with migrants at the comedor).

Executive Director Father Sean Carroll, S.J. then offered his remarks about the previous year at the KBI. To convey the scope of the KBI’s work to those gathered and the ways simple tasks require extra assistance for people far from home and without resources, Father Sean shared a recent conversation he’d had with a migrant at the comedor. The man’s most immediate needs included food, clothing, toiletries, and first aid, all available at the KBI. But he also needed to cash a check, the inconvenient form in which funds are returned to those detained and then deported. With the assistance of one of the volunteer organizations offering services at the comedor, the man was able to cash his check.

Father Pete Neeley, S.J., KBI Associate Director of Education, mingled with KBI supporters at the pre-dinner reception.
Photo by Jake Kelly.

These are the sort of requests that KBI staff and volunteers fulfill every day—the need for a phone call, information, or other services—alongside larger-scale work such as providing meals and shelter, conducting educational programs, and advocating for immigrant rights and immigration reform. As Father Sean pointed out, accompaniment takes many forms, and in thanking everyone for their support, he reminded them that their presence was a powerful way to share the journey with our migrant sisters and brothers.

In addition, Father Sean talked about the KBI’s response to the greater numbers of separated families and deportations of long-term U.S. residents. Two new initiatives expand the KBI’s services and accompaniment—(1) the legal fellow program offering representation to asylum seekers encountered at the comedor, and (2) volunteer visits to the Eloy Detention Center, a way to ease the loneliness, vulnerability and uncertainty faced by people in detention. These were also covered in a moving video, Can You Imagine?, created by Pete Burr, Brophy’s Fine Arts Department Chair, introduced by Father Sean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H-i-ygk6rI.

Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of Phoenix, who would later offer the opening blessing of the event, had a chance to meet many friends of the KBI.
Photo by Jake Kelly.

After dinner, emcee/auctioneer Rick DeBruhl conducted a rousing Live Auction which included the ever-popular dinner prepared by Father Sean and Father Pete Neeley, S.J. Then KBI Board Chair Steve Haydukovich took the podium to present this year’s Pope Francis Award to Father William John Fitzgerald for his extraordinary support of the KBI since its inception. A retired pastor from the Archdiocese of Omaha, Father Fitz, as he is affectionately called, has been a strong voice for migrants over the years, writing online homilies (www.fatherfitz.com) and working tirelessly on their behalf. The recognition comes with the enduring gratitude of the KBI and a portrait of a migrant woman by artist Pamela Hoffmeister in acknowledgement. In his beautiful tenor voice, Father Fitz treated everyone to a song about the immigrant experience, and revealed that proceeds from his book, A Contemporary Way of the Cross, would go to the KBI.

As happens every year, the KBI Dinner Committee, co-chaired by Board member Lisa Grant and retired Board Chair Lucy Howell, outdid themselves. With final fundraising through the sale of table centerpieces from the KBI Migrant Cooperative, final donations, and the distribution of Silent Auction items, Father George V. Wanser, S.J. of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix gave a closing benediction. The evening of friendship and accompaniment came to a close, everyone gratified to come together in support of a cause close to their hearts and mindful of the crucial work that continues—today and every day—at the KBI.

THANK YOU!

At the reception, guests circulated amid the Silent Auction items to place their bids.
Photo by Jake Kelly.

Many thanks to all who donated to the Eighth Annual Kino Border Initiative Dinner and who made this successful fundraiser possible, specifically: co-chairs Lisa Grant and Lucy Howell, and the entire Phoenix Dinner Committee of Kathleen Desmond, Mary Johnson, Maddie Murphy-Larkin, Megan Martinez, Mary Novotny, Mary Permoda, Ann Rathwell, Bob Ryan, Bob Staab, Patti Thoeny, Dora Vasquez, and Karla Verdugo with KBI staff Father Sean Carroll, S.J., Deacon Javier Fierro, and Ivette Fuentes. We also thank Brophy College Preparatory for hosting the evening, and Facilities Coordinator Sherri Stephens and her maintenance team; the Brophy College Preparatory students who provided reception and dinner service, coordinated by Brophy moderators Steve Smith and José Leyba; Nackard Beverages, Caretto Vineyards, and Rene Mayer Martinez for providing libations. Thank you to artist Pamela Hoffmeister for her migrant portrait for the Pope Francis Award; artist Hilario Gutierrez for his painting, Hidden Fences; Father Ernesto Reynoso for his touching watercolor, Hope in the Desert; and other donors to the live auction—Yolie Aleman Rodrigues, Rodrigo and Diana Vela, Robert C. Wesley Jewelers, Steve and Darci Haydukovich, Lisa and David Grant, and our locally famous Jesuit chefs Father Sean Carroll, S.J. and Father Pete Neeley, S.J. Thanks to those who facilitated auction check out—Missy Grams, Michael Meaney, Greg Laverierre, Kay Ayers, Seema Mohan, Kate Cross, Maria Gore, Christine Bonow and Lizzie Manos—and to those who worked on Dinner and auction set-up—Puentes y Posibilidades from St. Francis Xavier School, Claudia Morales, and girls from Xavier College Preparatory. Thanks also to St. Patrick Catholic Community for underwriting printing services; silent auction announcer Frank Camacho; emcee and auctioneer Rick DeBruhl; Father Samuel Lozano de los Santos, S.J. for his musical accompaniment; Sister Alicia Guevara Perez, M.E. and Joanna Williams for facilitating the hand motion exercise; Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of Phoenix for his opening blessing and Father George V. Wanser, S.J. of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix for his closing benediction; the KBI Migrant Cooperative for the beautiful centerpieces, created and purchased specifically for this event; Sierra Bonita Fine Catering for the exquisitely prepared meal; registration table helpers Gail Caretto, L’Jeanne Fairbourn, Valerie Howell, Kate Howell, Mary Johnson, Sandy LeBonte, Elaine O’Toole, and Sharon Ryan; Brophy Fine Arts Department Chair Pete Burr for the moving video of the KBI’s work at the border, Can You Imagine?; Chris Pettit and Brophy teacher Jake Kelly for taking photographs; and KBI staff and board members for their invaluable assistance. Thank you, all!

Long-time KBI supporter and Phoenix Dinner veteran Frank Camacho kept spirits and interest high throughout the Silent Auction bidding.
Photo by Chris Pettit.
Guests took their seats in Brophy’s Harper Great Hall as the meal and dinner program commenced.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
Rick DeBruhl returned this year to perform emcee and auctioneer duties.
Photo by Chris Pettit.
Director of Education and Advocacy Joanna Williams and Casa Nazareth Coordinator Sister Alicia Guevara Perez, M.E. led everyone in hand motion exercises performed daily at the KBI comedor, a way to build connection and therapeutically engage the mind and body.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
Following the hand motion instructions, guests could experience the lightness and laughter these simple exercises help to impart
Photo by Jake Kelly.
Brophy student volunteers, 52 in all, served dinner, and passed hors d’hoeuvres at the reception beforehand.
Photo by Chris Pettit.
In his remarks, Father Sean addressed the role of accompaniment, introduced KBI staff, and acknowledged all the efforts that went into this major annual event.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
One of the most hotly contested Live Auction items is dinner prepared by Father Pete (right) and Father Sean, and this year was no different. Father George V. Wanser, S.J. of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix (at the podium) sang for everyone and later gave the closing benediction
Photo by Chris Pettit.
On behalf of the KBI Board, Chair Steve Haydukovich presented Father William John Fitzgerald with this year’s Pope Francis Award for extraordinary service to the KBI.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
Father Sean and Father Fitz posed with the migrant portrait by artist Pamela Hoffmeister given in acknowledgement of the Pope Francis Award.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
Amid all the activity of the evening, Dinner Committee Co-Chairs Lucy Howell and Lisa Grant enjoyed a post-dinner moment together as guests headed home.
Photo by Steve Howell.
As night fell, another successful Phoenix Dinner drew to a close. Hope to see everyone next year.
Photo by Jake Kelly.
At the home of Lisa and David Grant, Father Sean prepared a meal to thank the Dinner Committee for their efforts. Pictured, from left to right, Kathy Desmond, Dennis Desmond, David Grant, Lisa Grant, Father Sean, Ann Rathwell, Lucy Howell, and Maddie Murphy-Larkin.
Photo by Joe Larkin.

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