CHICAGO: Share-a-Smile held one more of its fundraisers on Friday March 14 at India House Banquet Hall in Schaumburg with a degree of success.
Share-a-Smile is a registered non-profit organization with a unique goal to give back to seniors and the less privileged here, back home in India and globally,
It was a Masquerade Ball and the night’s entertainment music was provided by Hemang Thakkar, Vocalist of “Rhythm of Dreams” Group and Anis Chandani, an accomplished flute player of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” fame with three other live-band members. There was a 45 minute magic show by John Measner, an illusionist extraordinaire, who has been entertaining people for the last 25 years.
The evening began with a Ganesh Puja with lamps lit by respected seniors Chintan Ahuja, Iswar Das Ahuja, Praveen Ahuja, Mrs Padma Asija, Chani Uppal and Sundari Yanamadula.
SASC President Neelam Bhardwaj in her welcoming speech said, “Share-a-Smile Chicago started as a small group in 2008. In the preceding years the fundraisers have contributed to a senior home in India, to welfare projects in Africa, to an international eye care foundation in India, educare.org and flood relief in Haiti. For the last three years it has identified a senior care home called Sukhdam on the outskirts of New Delhi as the principal beneficiary of its fund.”
A Slide Show displayed some of the work that has been accomplished both in India and locally. The president of SASC went on to say, “Before we adopted Sukhdham as our principal charity in 2011, I personally visited and it is difficult to describe its pathetic condition. However in the last three years after we adopted them, there have been significant improvements in their capacity and living conditions.”
Neelam Bhardwaj added, “We are happy to announce two new initiatives for this year. Adopt-a-senior program whereby, for the cost of $600 per annum, all the needs of a senior citizen in Sukhdam will be taken care of including shelter, food, clothing and medical. 15 seniors have already been sponsored and we are still looking for 13 more adoptions.”
Treasurer Sunaina Reddy shared a quick financial report. Last year, $11000 was raised at their Annual Fundraiser out of which $10000 was sent to Sukhdam and $1000 donated to BACOA. In the preceding years, fundraisers contributed to other welfare projects in Africa, Sankara, and an International Eye Care Foundation in India, educare.org and flood relief in Haiti.
The prize of a return air ticket to Abu Dhabi was donated by Ethihad Airlines for a raffle draw. A silent auction was held for various items donated to SASC by Saahil Exclusive of Devon Street, Avantique Jewelry, Tanu Singh, Vchilli and Travel Center-Chicago.
Past Committee Members were given commemorative certificates for their selfless services. It was pleasant to watch children and adults dressed beautifully in gowns and black tie with masks on their faces.
Committee Members: Sushma Bhanot (Founder Member/Former President), Neelam Bhardwaj (President), Tina Khurana (Vice-President), Sunaina Reddy (Treasurer), Deepa Bharaj (Secretary), Meenakshi Mehta (Executive Committee Member), Vandana Walia (Executive Committee Member), Dipti Thakar(Executive Committee Member), Rajni Asija (Executive Committee Member), Priyanka Sublok (Executive Committee Member)
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