"Out of Africa," held on October 26, 2006, raised over $178,000 for medical supplies, programs and services of the Luisa Guidotti Hospital in Mutoko, Zimbabwe.

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Pioneer President and CEO Osbert M. Hood and Pioneer Global Asset Management S.p.A. Deputy Chairman John F. Cogan, Jr. were co-hosts of the event.

The event was hosted by Liz Brunner, Co-Anchor of WCVB-TV News Center 5 in Boston.

Special guest Dr. Carlo Spagnolli received the first Roberto Bazzoni Onlus Humanitarian Award and spoke on the dire needs of the hospital.

African music and dance performed by Mohamed Kalifa Kamara and his troupe "The Spirit of Africa," brought the house down.

During dinner, Mbira music was performed by Solomon Murungu, a native of Zimbabwe. Jazz during the cocktail hour was played by the Geoffrey Hicks Trio.

Special thanks go to members of Pioneer's Operating Committee and other managers for their crucial fundraising outreach on the event, as well as to all Pioneer associates who participated with donations and securing auction items.

Special thanks, too, go to the volunteers who worked the event: Pam Rodes, Jenn O'Neill, Ashlee Nantoski, Stephanie Starr, Anna DeFilipp, Charlyn Copp, Lilia Gentile, Jill Cabral, Holly Kruchinski, and Kate McCullough, and Chad Dravk, who was photographer for the evening.

Many of the funds raised were as a result of a generous matching from UNIDEA Foundation, the UCI Group charitable Foundation