Indian American couple launch non-profit Gift of Life USA, in New York

April 25, 2017

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From left to right: Rupal Sehgal, Flora Parekh, Speaker Kerry Magro, H.K. Shah, Bakul Matalia, Paresh Parekh, Haril Parekh, Eric Kumar, at the launch of non-profit Gift of Love USA.

NEW YORK: Gift of Life USA Inc. (GOL), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Ronkonkoma, New York, for health and education benefits for specially-abled, was launched with a gala dinner at Leonard’s Palazzo, on April 23.

GOL (www.giftoflifeus.org) founders Paresh Parekh and Flora Parekh, who are both Indian Americans, presented a detailed overview of the inspiration, mission and vision of the organization.

“At Gift of Life USA, we aim at working in support of the ones with special needs, creating awareness, encouraging talent of the specially-abled, providing and assisting with needed resources, to help them be better, socially acceptable, self-respectable, self-supporting individuals and generating services in the long term. This is just the beginning,” the duo said.

“Our goal is to have a better, healthier and happier world for children and adults everywhere – especially for the specially-abled,” said GOL treasurer and host Harshil Parekh, at the gala.

The event was inaugurated with a traditional lamp lighting by key founders, committee members, volunteers, supporters and community leaders.

Award winning disability advocate, author and speaker Kerry Magro – who was diagnosed with a type of autism at the age of four, and who has talked at over 700 events – was the keynote speaker for the evening.

There were also some performances by visually impaired performers.

The event also awarded an essay competition winners with cash prizes and gift certificates. Children had participated in an essay competition organized by GOL, entitled “I love someone with autism”, beginning of the year.

The event recognized the tireless efforts of three women, Manjari Bhatt, Malti Shah and Pam Kwatra, who have helped children.

A raffle gave away exciting prizes, including a diamond ring by Paresh Parekh of Harshil Creations; a gold chain by East West Jewelers, free liposuction consulting and treatment by Dr. Hetal Gor, and an outfit by Wardrobe.