Annual Fundraising Gala a Thumping Success.
$400,000 raised, two student campuses donated
Over 700 enthusiastic supporters from the Greater Toronto Area gathered for the cause of educating underprivileged children
Two generous donors, Mr. Shailesh Raja, owner of Autodome services, Mississauga, and another donor who wished to stay anonymous, each donated $ 125,000 towards two students’ homes (also called hostels locally).in India and raised $ 400,000 at the annual AIM for Seva (Canada) Gala.
“The building of a home for children in India has always been at the forefront of our mind and hearts. Together our entire family — my three sons who are partners in our business and our two daughters included – made a commitment to donate the student home,” said Mr. Shailesh Raja.
Introducing new ways to donate – the Educate to Empower, 20/10, 10/10 and 5/10 scholarships, the President of AIM for SEVA (Canada), Dr. Terry Papneja, applauded the audience for their consistent and selfless donations. “This year, once again, the Greater Toronto Area has emerged the highest donor city in the world,” he said.
Mr. Kiran and Deepika Patel announced the first 20/10 scholarship, a donation of $10,000 every year for 10 years to support 20 children, while Sutikshan and Bindu Anand donated the first 10/10 scholarship – a commitment of donating $ 5,000 every year for 10 years to support 10 children.
Meera Kanani who successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro along with her mother, Rupa Kanani, spoke about her arduous, “most difficult ever” endeavor she undertook to support AIM for Seva.
Spectacular entertainment by the Sampradaya Dance Academy, raffle draw and vendor tables at the event added to the fun as they also helped raised additional funding for the cause.
The Live Auction of Cricket Bat signed by the Indian & Pakistani teams, a rare gem at this time, was the highlight of the evening. The Bat was donated by Dr. Vishay and Beshie Dhanraj. The auction was conducted by Dr. Dhanraj and Arun Luthra and it attracted lively bids and fetched $3,000 in a final bid by Mr. Anil Shah.
The evening was a thumping success as donors and supporters left the banquet hall with a heart full of seva, a heart of giving.