Surendra Ullal
CHICAGO: Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Inc (MAFS) launches yet another star-studded Yearly Global Gala Fundraiser to celebrate over three decades of community services! Illustrious elected officials from around the world, including U S Congressman, Streamwood Village Board of commissioner, renowned international professionals, entrepreneurs from the US and around the world graced the event!
Over 500 community members, including many elderly seniors attended the Metropolitan Asian Family Service’s Annual Gala on October 15, 2023 at the University of Vedic Wellness, IN Streamwood, a Chicago suburb.
The celebration began with the lighting of the auspicious deep by prominent leaders of the community, , Dr. Santosh Kumar, the Executive Director, MAFS; Dr. Firdaus Jafri, President, MAFS; the Board members, MAFS and community leaders, including Sunil Shah, FIA Founder and Chairman and, Ajeet Singh.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorti arrived early. He said that these services provided by MAFS not only can help elderly to be happy , but also relieve their working children of any anxiety or stress because they know that their parents are being taken care of with trusted MAFS In-homecare, Adult day care, and Public Assistance Services. This was certainly a huge honor for MAFS!
Following the Deep Lightning, a dance performance of Ganesh Vandana was performed by the students of a renowned dancer Madhura Sane who praising Lord Ganesh. After the Ganesh Vandana, Dr. Bharat Barai, Oncologist, a professor and the Director of a Cancer Institute, Methodist Hospitals came up to the stage and praised Dr. Santosh Kumar for her outstanding work for the community..
MAFS Grants Director Mrs. Rosita Pander welcomed the dignitaries as she explained the vital programs of MAFS. At this time, the “Mars’s Story”, a video illuminating Mars’s history of service for three decades was shown to the audience.
Empowering the audience, Mrs. Pander passionately highlighted She stressed the fact that MAFS is a Not-For-Profit organization with limited funding observing that the senior programs are much needed by the elderly population, depend on gracious donors to cover the expenses that the grant funds do not cover. She thanked everyone in the audience who donated to this good cause.
Later, Dr. Santosh Kumar put some light on how MAFS was created and evolved for senior care services with the motto in mind for seniors, with a place where they can enjoy fresh food, culture, and can have friends of similar age groups who can speak the same language as they do, taking upon the mission of serving seniors starting with one site of two rooms and now 14 well-equipped sites for the elderly. She shared her experience working for seniors for past three decades, providing them with all possible education, knowledge, and a positive attitude toward life.
She thanked all her staff members, managers and cooks who are working for MAFS and its elderly population. Clearing misunderstanding about raising the much-needed funds for senior care services, she explained to the audience that 100% funding from any county or state is not provided to not-for-profit organization and that only 35% to 65% is covered by them.
She remembered the late Vice President of MAFS Board. Nikunj Bakshi who passed away recently. She remembered as to how he wanted to open a “Happy Club” for the community members who are not quite elderly seniors. She announced to open a center like that and asked Mrs. Bakshi to be the President of this center.
The community awards wentto three prominent members of community. Dr. Umang Patel was awarded with Pramod Kumar Philanthropy Award. Next, the Partnership Award was presented to . Krishna Bansal, the CEO of Q1 Technologies. Admiring Mrs. Kumar, He shared that his mom was very happy and does not want to miss a day to go to MAFS Adult Daycare. Lastly, the Community Service Award was given to Suresh Bodiwala,
Next was an elegant dance performance by renowned dancer Madhura Sane who filled the stage with her graceful and pious dancing on a medley of instrumental music to pay tribute to Legendary Bollywood Singer Kavita Krishnamurti. Her beautiful and eloquent dance moves were a treat to watch.
The highlight of the evening was the breathtaking Musical Performance by the Legendary Bollywood Playback Singer Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam. With her hypnotic voice, she enthralled audience with her Bollywood numbers such as “Mei Khwabo ki Shahzadi…,” “Bole Chudian..Bole Kangna…,” “ Nimbooda Nimbooda, Nimbooda…,” and many more
Sameer Saini and Shweta Vasudeva, the emcees, aimed to make this exciting event unforgettable until the very end. The event was concluded with a vote of thanks and appreciation to all by Dr. Santosh Kumar.
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