AmCham Thanksgiving Charity Dinner 2023
An evening of giving back and giving thanks – hosted at Hotel Bristol’s Grand Hall – gathered sponsors 3M, KPMG, and Merck alongside members, partners and friends for the annual AmCham Thanksgiving Charity Dinner. In line with the Thanksgiving spirit and honoring our longstanding tradition, the evening included a raffle and auction, featuring generous prizes from member companies, with all proceeds benefiting charitable partner Make-A-Wish Norge.
Hotel Bristol’s Chef Jan Frode Berentsen crafted a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings and trimmings, followed by pecan, pumpkin and apple pies and earning praise from both Thanksgiving aficionados and novices alike. Accompanying the dinner were Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay and 337 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Valued Partnerships
Presenting the evening’s charity partner was Kristin Anderssen, CEO of Make-A-Wish Norge. She remarked that “it’s heartwarming to see how businesses and organizations can come together to create a positive impact in our community. Let’s make this Thanksgiving season a time of giving and gratitude.” Anderssen expressed her appreciation for the support of the US-based organization’s mission of providing hope and fulfilling the dreams of as many children as possible.
Trade Minister Jan Christian Vestre followed, emphasizing his appreciation for the United States’ everything is possible approach. On US-Norway partnership, Minister Vestre stated that we have “just entered a new and very exciting stage. We are now committed together to strengthening our commercial dialogue and collaboration in sectors tied to the green and digital transition. I’m grateful and extremely proud of the great bond between our two countries. I’m grateful for the things we have achieved so far, and I really look forward to many great things in the time to come.”
US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Sharon Hudson-Dean thanked the AmCham community for its continued close working relationship – and for maintaining the highest standards of international business practice. Hudson-Dean also emphasized the key role of businesses in the green transition.
A Cheerful Showcase of Auction Prizes
Following dinner, a lively charity raffle and auction ensued. AmCham’s Madeleine Brekke, along with auctioneer extraordinaire Christopher Minora, encouragingly announced bids as winners won a broad selection of enticing prizes – ranging from roundtrip flight tickets from Icelandair and Norse Atlantic Airways to a Coca-Cola cooler and Google’s newest Pixel Phone.
Following the prize frenzy, AmCham Managing Director Jason Turflinger proudly announced that this year’s charity auction and raffle had raised a record-breaking 125 000 NOK for Make-A-Wish Norge.
We are truly grateful for the generosity of our transatlantic community and sincerely thank everyone who contributed!
Please click on the left to read the letter from the CEO Make-A-Wish Norge Kristin Anderssen
