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About 70 people participated in Home of Hope’s first Annual Walkathon

By ANJU BHATIA

SAN JOSE, Calif. – About 70 people participated in Home of Hope’s 1st Annual Walkathon – and their efforts paid off handsomely. Over $17,000 has been tallied so far. A brainchild of Rekha Gupta and Shilpi Minocha - both Home of Hope board members, it proved to be a truly enjoyable exercise for all who took part! Corporate sponsors for the event included Sun Microsystems, One of the diversity groups at Sun- Asian American Diversity Network AADN) helped promote the event by encouraging and sponsoring Sun employees to participate in the walk.The other sponsors were Anthem reality and New Path Ventures.

The walk was well organized by a group of volunteers. Clearly marked signs directed walkers to a welcome tent in Helleyer Park, San Jose. Each walker was warmly received and ”equipped” at the welcome tent for what turned out to be a pleasant 6-mile walk under clear, blue skies. Armed with water bottles and fruit, the walk could now begin. It did not matter whether one came alone or with a group of friends, everyone felt included and united in a cause to raise funds for the 1100 orphaned, abandoned, or otherwise destitute children whose needs Home of Hope strives to serve.

Although the heat intensified with each completed mile, volunteers manning ”service” booths at regular intervals of the walking path, offered words of encouragement and replenished depleted water bottles.

The organizers went the ’extra mile’ at the end of the walk by planning a social time, replete with food and drink. All consumables were donated free of charge by supporters of the walkathon and Home of Hope remained true to its aim of keeping expenses at an absolute minimum. As each walker completed the walk, they were steered to a table with a great spread, including samosas, pakoras, hot dogs, watermelon and other treats. Indeed, it could be said - a great time was had by all!

Look out for the next fun event to be organized by Home of Hope – the main fundraiser of the year –a gala dinner and entertainment night to be held on Saturday, October, 2nd at the Scottish Rite Center in San Jose. Home of Hope needs your support as it continues making a difference – one child at a time.

For more information about Home of Hope, call Dr. Nilima Sabharwal at 650–574–0374 or visit www.hohinc.org.