Fun, friendship and fundraising at SIWA Gala

Members and friends of the Seoul International Women’s Association from Latin America pose in their national dress ahead of the Friday Fiesta Charity Gala. / Photo by Mihe Shin

By Tracie Barrett

The 2013 SIWA Charity Gala, to be held this Friday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Mt. Nam in Seoul, is already an unqualified success.

Terri Hartman, president of the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA), said the almost 200 tickets available have already sold out and there is a waiting list of people hopeful there will be cancellations.

The gala is one of two major fundraising events SIWA hosts each year, along with the SIWA and Diplomatic Bazaar held near the end of the year. The theme for this year’s gala is Friday Fiesta, featuring a Latin-inspired menu and a band from Mexico.

Hartman said the gala is not formal but intended to be a fun event for members, friends and spouses. “We’re encouraging people to come in cocktail attire and festive colors,” she said.

“The gala started with the spouses, the husbands of our members,” Hartman said. “They said, ‘you’ve done all this work on the bazaar ― how come we don’t get to have any fun?’”

SIWA is in its 51st year and has more than 500 members from 40 different countries, a quarter of which are Korean, Hartman said. “Plus every female diplomatic spouse or female ambassador is an honorary member. So we are connected to the diplomatic community.”

The registered non-profit organization not only provides a variety of events and classes for its members but raises funds for a wide range of Korean charities, including orphanages, migrant centers and multicultural organizations.

Hartman said a raffle, silent auction and opportunities to donate directly will be available at the gala, with the proceeds going to three of SIWA’s most deserving charities.

Anna’s House is a homeless shelter that serves more than 500 people daily, including a shelter for 40 street children. Spring of Life is a women’s shelter on Jeju Island and Hae Ne Ri is a study room for children from low-income families.

Hartman said the Welfare Committee visits every charity that applies for funds. “We look for organizations that are underserved,” she said. “We review their books, we make sure the money goes to its true intention, we get the receipts and we ensure that they are going to be staying in business.”

In doing so, Hartman and the SIWA members also make new friends, learn about the culture of their host nation and maximize their time here in Korea. This Friday evening, they will celebrate all that at the gala.