Literacy Charity BKP to hold Dinner-Dance Fundraiser

The following is an announcement from local nonprofit group BKP:

Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (which translates to “new Filipino culture”) will hold its 10^th annual dinner-dance fundraiser on Saturday, October 20, at the Wakefield Elks.  BKP is a literacy non-profit, based in Lynnfield, that sends used children’s books to the Philippines to open libraries in impoverished communities.  Its mission is to empower these underprivileged children through reading and language skills, so they can aspire to higher education, better-paying jobs, and brighter futures.

No doubt the highlight of this year’s event will be the food provided by renowned French chef Jacky Robert.  Chef Jacky is the owner of the Petit Robert Bistros, with five locations in the greater Boston area.  He was awarded the Silver Chef’s Hat by Master Chefs of France and has refined his craft at the finest restaurants in Paris, Nice, Munich, Geneva, and San Francisco, as well as Boston’s famed Maison Robert.  Chef Jacky has worked alongside Wolfgang Puck and was a life-long friend of Julia Child.

This year’s Halloween theme will ensure fun for adults and children of all ages.  Costumes are optional, but a prize will be given for best costume.  Got Books, a generous supporter of BKP, is donating gift cards and book baskets towards the raffle.  Other raffle and auction items include a gift certificate from Keykes, a Filipino-American bakery in Chelmsford, gift certificates to the Petit Robert Bistros and free shipping to the Philippines with CM Global.

BKP has established and is currently operating more than 150 mini-libraries throughout the Philippines, some of which were impacted in the recent typhoons and flooding that devastated parts of the country.  As this event is BKP's only major fundraiser of the year, a portion of the proceeds will be used to replace the books lost to the flood waters.

The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October 20, from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Wakefield Elks (63 Bay State Rd., Wakefield).  Tickets can be purchased in advance and will also be sold at the door ($35/adults; $20/children).  For more information, please contact Judi Babcock at 781-275-1183 or Marie Lagman at 781-334-5637, or bkp@bkpinc.org.