Diplomats Help CARE Celebrate Its 55th Anniversary by John Shaw and Katherine Tallmadge The always elegant Organization of American States building was at its majestic best on Friday evening, May 11th, when the OAS served as a perfect venue for the annual CARE Ball. The ball, which is one of Washingtonís most anticipated social events, celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE). A glittering black tie event, the CARE ball is a celebration of global cooperation and volunteerism that transcends cultural differences. Diplomats, members of the U.S. Congress and business leaders basked in the eveningís playful and energetic Latin themes, dance and music. As is its tradition, the CARE ball began with elegant dinners at the residences of more than 30 ambassadors. Embassies hosting dinners were Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mali, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Kingdom an d Zambia. The Taipei Cultural and Economic Representative Office also hosted a dinner. The ball celebrated CAREís long service providing humanitarian relief and encouraging sustainable development in more than 60 nations around the world. The CARE ball is the organizationís only national fundraiser. Last year CARE was able to pass on 91% of its revenue directly to programs that benefited 27 million people. CARE is one of the worldís largest private international relief and development organizations. Founded in the aftermath of World War II, CARE enabled Americans to send more than 100 million packages to survivors of the conflict in Europe and Asia. It has since become an important vehicle for a generation of Americans to help those in need in other nations. CAREís recent emergency relief efforts have aided victims of floods in Mozambique, earthquakes in India, and drought in Afghanistan. CARE provides not only emergency relief, but also supports programs to combat the causes of poverty. It offers programs in health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention, basic education, economic development and the provision of food and clean water. CARE has also become a leader in sustainable development and emergency aid, reaching tens of millions of people each year. Marshall Burke, CAREís vice president for private support, said the diplomatic community in Washington has played a crucial role in generating support for, and interest in, CAREís annual ball. "Weíre very grateful to the diplomatic community for its generous support. We think this evening provides the Washington community with an important opportunity to get to know the outstanding diplomats here and to develop relationships with these diplomats," Burke said. The pre-ball dinner at the Japanese ambassadorís residence was a wonderful example of the diplomatic communityís support for CARE. Ambassador and Mrs. Yanai warmly greeted guests as they entered the residence and then escorted them into the elegant Grand Salon room which faces the residenceís luscious gardens. "We will be offering you a kind of joint venture of French and Japanese culture and California wines," he said as he discussed the eveningís menu, that included delightful French food presented with an elegant Japanese presentation. Yanai noted that he served as consul general in San Francisco for several years, visited a number of the wineries in the area, and can attest to the quality of California wine. Addressing the assembled guests, the ambassador offered a toast "to the continued success of CARE and continued success and health to each of you." Representing the guests and CARE, U.S. Congressman Robert Matsui, Democrat of California, praised Ambassador and Mrs. Yanai for strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship. "You have represented your country very well in Washington," Matsui said. John Shaw is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat. Katherine Tallmadge is a freelance writer in Washington.