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HOME OF HOPE FUNDRAISER NETS 4 22K FOR ORPHANAGE.
SAN Ramon, Calif. - Thanks to the efforts of a core group of dedicated Bay Area volunteers, inspired by a strict "low overhead" fundraising policy, the Children's Home of Hope school and orphanage is more than $ 22,000.00 richer.
At a dinner Nov. 6 at the San Ramon Community Center, local pathologist Dr. Nilima Sabharwal spearheded efforts to raise money for the orphanage outside Chennai, which is home to 120 children. Helped by Anil Lal and other local Indian American activists, Sabharwal used all her charm and wiles to coax the maximum amount of donations and pledges from the 200-strong crowd.
"You chose to spend chhoti Diwali with us" she told the audience. "This gives the event a special significance."
Out of more than $ 24,000 in donations and pledges collected, only $ 2,300 went to expenses, Sabharwal told India-West. Caterers Taj Palace of San Jose gave the group a hefty discount and deejays Lal Toofan performed free, she said. A major portion of the proceedings will go toward the construction of a free medical clinic attached to the orphanage.
The evening's entertainment included a bharatnatyam performance of Ganesha Vandanam and Tilana from Sonia Sabharwal (Nilima's 15 year old daughter) and Sheena Naidu, 14.
Sabharwal narrated a slide show illustrating the fruits of the local fund drive over the past year: the school's purchase of a van; an updated and restocked kitchen; and badly-needed improvements to the restroom facilities.
Hope of Hope supporters Mark Scambati showed a video he had produced for the occasion. The video, which blended images of Home of Hope's children with an unapologetically Christian messages, underscored the Home of Hope's pan-religious theme: all children are welcome, without regard to religion, race or caste.
Part of the $ 22,000 includes the donations of 51 new sponsors. At $ 10 per month ($120/-year) Bay Area families can support one Home of Hope child for a year. Out of the total of 120 students now living in the orphanage, 85 have Bay Area sponsors, said Sabharwal. The group is still actively recruiting sponsors for the remaining 35, she added.
Attorney David Miller donated $900 worth of estate planning services to charity as well, Sabharwal said. In return for his services, interested clients will write a check to Home of Hope instead of to Miller, she explained.
The group reaches their donation target of $ 25,000, they intend to start the search for another worthy cause in India. Home of Hope isa registered non-profit and contributions are tax-deductible. For more information call (650) 574-0374 or email nilima.sabharwal@kp.org.
