Ambassador of France Pierre Vimont welcomed guests to his residence on May 14 for a Spring Soirée Nooristan Foundation benefit. Foundation President Marie Kux spoke of the reaffirmation of the American commitment to Afghanistan with more schools, more roads and more jobs. Ambassador Vimont cited the long tradition of a French presence in Afghanistan and paid tribute to projects consistent with the needs of the local population. Caroline Hudson Firestone was honored with the Humanitarian Award for creating “people to people linkages.” – Mary Bird