The Comité Tricolore created the VICTOR OBADIA HUMANITARIAN TROPHY in memory of our first President. For more than forty years, Victor Obadia worked tirelessly to introduce French culture, co-found numerous non-profit organizations to build relationships in the French and American communities, and raise funds for those in need in the Washington, DC area.
In order to carry on Victor’s legacy, the Comité Tricolore is proud to introduce the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy in recognition of our friend Victor who dedicated his life strengthening ties in the French-American community. This trophy is presented every year to an outstanding individual to honor their achievements, benevolent actions and principles of generosity and compassion.
The Trophy
The Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy will be presented by the President of the Comité Tricolore to the selected laureate at an Award Ceremony at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. The laureate will also be recognized in an official announcement that will appear in the Comité Tricolore’s newsletter. In addition to recognizing this outstanding individual, the Comité Tricolore hopes this award will encourage others to serve their community.
Victor Obadia was the first importer of coffee, espresso machines and French fine goods in the DC area. The unique design of the trophy pays homage to Victor Obadia’s career and incorporates his initials: the shape of the cup is a V and the handle is an O. Sharing a cup of coffee is a symbol of communality. (Design: J-P Krukowicz; manufactured by LR-Paris)
The Comité Tricolore Philanthropic Soirée
Get your tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-comite-tricolore-philanthropic-soiree-tickets-2000650670010
The Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy Award Ceremony
Join the Comité Tricolore for a special evening celebrating philanthropy, humanitarian engagement, and the spirit of solidarity that brings together the French-American community in the Washington, D.C. area.
Held for the sixth time, in honor of Victor Obadia, the Comité Tricolore’s first President, this soirée will celebrate those who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to making a difference in our community.
The Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy
The evening will open with the presentation at 6:30pm of the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy, honoring an individual whose exceptional commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian action has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the community.
Through this award, the Comité Tricolore seeks to recognize and celebrate the values of generosity, solidarity, and service that have been at the heart of its mission since its founding.
Discover the Philanthropic Spirit of Our Community
Following the award ceremony, guests will be invited to a cocktail reception featuring association booths from organizations within the Comité Tricolore.
This year, for the first time, participating associations will have the opportunity to showcase their missions, initiatives, and philanthropic work. Guests will be invited to meet their representatives, discover the causes they support, and learn more about the many ways members of the French-American community contribute to the greater good.
This gathering will offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity and richness of the Comité Tricolore network and the collective commitment to solidarity that connects its members.
An Evening of Celebration & Connection
The cocktail reception, specially curated by our prestigious partner Cuisine Solutions, will provide an opportunity for guests, association representatives, philanthropists, and members of the French-American community to connect and exchange in a warm and convivial setting.
Come celebrate an inspiring legacy, recognize outstanding humanitarian commitment, and discover the organizations working every day to strengthen our community.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:30 PM
Maison Française, Embassy of France in Washington, D.C.
The 2026 laureate of the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy is Stanislas Vilgrain
Stanislas Vilgrain has built his career at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and service to others.
A longstanding supporter of DC Central Kitchen, he has consistently stepped up to help communities in times of crisis, providing food and emergency assistance following major events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. In 2022, his commitment to humanitarian action took him even further: he personally led a convoy transporting Cuisine Solutions meals from France to Ukraine.
His generosity also shines through in his deep engagement with the French-American community in the United States. Over the years, he has supported a wide range of cultural, religious, and community organizations, including the French Embassy, youth rugby programs, the Comité Tricolore, and the French Catholic Church of Washington. He also supports initiatives promoting opportunity for underserved communities, including youth and women through micro-lending initiatives.
Through his actions, he has demonstrated that entrepreneurship can go hand in hand with generosity, solidarity, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Get your tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-comite-tricolore-philanthropic-soiree-tickets-2000650670010
Sponsorship opportunities!
If you would like to sponsor the evening or participate in the showcase, please contact us: [email protected]
We thank LR-Paris for donating the Trophy and Michel Laudier from Fairfax Realty for sponsoring the Ceremony
Former VOHT Recipients
Click here to know more about them.
And here to see pictures of the past ceremonies and more.
Some details on the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy
The Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must be:
• A French humanitarian living in the DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania region whose benevolent actions serve either his/her local community OR a humanitarian of any nationality supporting the French or French-American community
• A reliable, and discreet individual acting with humility
• An individual recognized by her/his peers for her/his generosity and ethics.
NB: Members of the Comité Tricolore or their immediate family are not eligible for nomination.
The Nomination Process
If you know of an individual who meets the following criteria, we invite you to submit an application by June 30, 2026.
The call for nominations is now open.
The application can be completed online (preferred): Application form 2025
or downloaded here (WORD document):
Completed forms should be submitted on line or sent via email to the President of the Comité at: [email protected] by September 30, 2025.
The Evaluation Process
All applications will be evaluated by the Comité Tricolore’s Victor Obadia Trophy Subcommittee. This subcommittee will make a recommendation to all members of the Comité Tricolore who will vote to determine the year’s laureate of the Victor Obadia Trophy.
Please help us share this wonderful opportunity with friends and acquaintances who may know anyone who would meet our criteria. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
VOHT Subcommittee members: Michel LAUDIER (Head), Eve CHAUCHARD, Etienne DAILLY, Stéphanie MACE-OBADIA, Yahne MIORINI, Alain BOY, Marie-Hélène ZAVALA
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