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HOME OF HOPE RAISES $44,000 AT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
By VARUN ARORA
India-West Staff Reporter
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Few Indian American charities receive the kind of enthusiastic response that Home of Hope Inc. does. This was evident at the organization's fifth annual charity fundraiser at the Senior Citizen Center here Nov. 9, as over 450 guests helped raise $44,000 (net) to improve the lives of orphaned and destitute children in India.
"We received a tremendous response this year," Home of Hope president Dr. Nilima Sabharwal told India-west.
Home of Hope, Inc. partners with foster homes in India that nurture orphaned and destitute children so they may grow to be well balanced, self-sustaining members of society.
The Bay Area's most noted community members attended the event, which began at 7:00 p.m. and continued till much after 12:00 midnight.
Various project coordinators addressed the audience while dinner and drinks were being served. The speakers included Manisha Bajaj, Shanti Mathan, Dolly Dham and Anil Lal.
While speaking about the financial goals and condition of Home of Hope, vice president and treasurer Anil Lal stated the transparency of the organization.
"Every dollar of your money is accounted for and cared for by us," Lal told the audience members.
Sabharwal gave a lucid account of Home of Hope's projects in India. She also presented an audio-visual reel of how various projects are improving the living conditions of orphanages and shelter homes in India.
The presentation included clips from Chennai Children's Home of Hope, Sri Chayadevi Anathashram in Mysore, Support in Mumbai, Udyan Ghar and Manovikas Charitable Society in Delhi. The other sponsored projects are: Puttaveeramma Charitable Trust, Mysore; Manisha Mandir, Lucknow; and Atamshree Educational Association, Bangalore
From sponsoring a bus to transporting children to school to new educational facilities, Home of Hope covered all aspects of improving a child's living environment.
Founded in the year 2000, the organization started by providing services to 200 children in Chennai. Now, Home of Hope helps nearly 1,000 children in eight different homes.
"This has been a calling for me," Sabharwal told India-West. "During March 2002, I visited all of our eight project sites. My trip was very successful in that I had a chance to see first-hand the results of the programs that we've funded."
According to Sabharwal, last year Home of Hope was able to add three additional projects to its portfolio, and it plans to add more in the coming year.
Sabharwal seemed confident that she and her team would be able to achieve their goals for the upcoming year as Home of Hope has already collected $80,000.
"A dollar goes a long way in India so there's a lot we can do," she stated.
A booklet handed out to every guest detailed the expenses and sponsorships by Home of Hope, Inc., which is often a rarity among various Indian American charities.
Apart from working with orphans and handicapped children, the organization also works closely with the Mumbai-based non-governmental organization called Support.
Sabharwal gave a detailed description of how a child living in the streets of Mumbai falls victim to drugs. Along with Support, Home of Hope helps children who become drug addicts.
The facilities provided include everything from rehabilitation to vocational training so that the children become independent individuals.
"Home of Hope has higher goals that we plan to achieve next year. We firmly believe that your ongoing support for our cause will help us make this world a better place for many children and their families," Sabharwal concluded.
After the speeches the guests enjoyed a special entertainment session featuring two of the Bay Area's leading singers.
To learn more about Home of Hope, or to make donations, please write to Home of Hope Inc., 190 Tobin Clark Drive, Hillsborough, CA 94010, or call 650-574-0374.
