Share & Care Annual Gala celebrates “Harmony for Humanity: Uniting Generations in Service”

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Share and Care Foundation, established in 1982, held its annual gala highlighting its legacy, and its plans for next generation of service. It also announced it has raised a milestone $1.1 million in 2023, to continue projects in India.

On Saturday, November 4, 2023, more than 650 supporters gathered at the Bergen County Academies Auditorium in Hackensack, New Jersey, for Share & Care’s annual gala and fundraiser. The theme of the event, Harmony for Humanity: Uniting Generations in Service, celebrated the Foundation’s 41 years — and three generations of humanitarian work, a press release from SCF said.

“For the first time, this year our gala featured three generations of active volunteers from teenagers to grandparents. Not only did our gala celebrate our accomplishments from the last 40 years, but it provided a steppingstone to our philanthropic future,” President of SCF Saumil Parikh told Desi Talk.

“With more than 80 volunteer children in our Kids4Kids Committee and a burgeoning Young Professional Committee, we are building a bridge of service across generations and between our countries,” Saumil Parikh said.

Manoj Desai, chairman of fundraising and annual gala, told Desi Talk SCF was very happy with the great response from supporters after two years of COVID hiatus. “At the event alone we raised half a million dollars. And over the year 2023, the total raised was $1.1 million, for various ongoing projects in India relating to women’s empowerment and healthcare.”

The gala featured a musical performance from Samir & Dipalee, billed as one of India’s favorite singing couples. (www.samirdipalee.in) which has performed at hundreds of international shows covering a variety of genres, from Bollywood to Sufi, Folk and Ghazals.

Additionally, the gala featured speeches from all generations of Share & Care members, youngest to the oldest, from past and current leaders, including special guest Congressman Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey; Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a keynote speaker.

Sharad Shah, past president of SCF, introduced Congressman Pallone, and welcomed him.

“The idea of Share and Care is that resources and opportunities should be there for everyone,” Rep. Pallone said in his speech, adding, “In that vein, healthcare is so important and education is so important, … women’s empowerment, … the list goes on.”  He recounted his experience of visiting a project in India with Sharad Shah and Ketki Shah. “And I saw what Share and Care did during COVID,” not just in India but also in US.

Advisor to Share and Care Foundation, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, recognized as the “grand sponsor” by SCF, was introduced as a philanthropist and physician, who has received many awards and recognitions. Pallone presented Dr. Sudhir Parikh a plaque. In his speech, Dr. Sudhir Parikh said the gala celebrates the SCF for its work and its volunteers for more than 40 years of “tireless hard work” to help the poorest of poor in India. He urged youth to become more philanthropic, and recounted his own experience in giving, and involvement with NGOs like Life Global USA and Project ‘Life’ which have provided 108 schools for underserved Indian children, including rebuilding a 125 year-old school started by Mahatma Gandhi. He also mentioned his involvement with Akshaya Patra and Ekal Vidyalaya.

“The attendees were not just at a charity gala but were one big happy family that truly felt the sheer joy of compassion and feeling rewarded in giving,” remarked Share & Care Director of Marketing & Operations Tejal Parekh.

With just one full-time staff member, SCF said it ensures that every dollar entrusted to the organization is able to do the most good, the organization said.

At the event, SCF recognized not only Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Rep. Pallone, but also Jaydev Patel and Purnima Patel who donated $50,000 via the Patel Family Foundation; and H.R. Shah of TV Asia, .

Five couples, who have been volunteers for more than 30 years, were also recognized for their service – Jyotsna Maniar and Late Kishor Maniar; Shaila and Rajshekhar Parikh; Ketki and Sharad Shah; Jyotsna and Amarkumar Shah; and Bharati and Arun Palkhiwala.

Aditi Vyas, secretary of the Board of Trustees at SCF and chair of the Young Professional Committee noted that SCF was entering a new era of service, getting ready to meet the challenges of the next 40 years.  Vyas noted how SCF with support from donors and members had distributed more than $80 million over the last 41 years.

“The legacy of Share & Care Foundation inspires its young volunteers and the children they empower. Together, they believe in a brighter future and the potential of their generations to bring harmony and hope in times of discord,” Vyas said. “It is my honor to have taken that baton as a third generation Share & Care Foundation volunteer to continue over four decades of service,’ added Vyas who was the emcee for the evening.

The organization thanked its Grand Sponsors: The Kamlesh & Luci Chainani Foundation; Parikh Worldwide Media and Drs. Sudha and Sudhir Parikh, Patel Family Foundation and Jaydev and Purnima Patel.

Share & Care thanked long time volunteers, in particular, founding members Drs. Lila and Mahendra Shah, Asha Dalal, Sudha Bhansali, Drs. Kanan and Shirish Patrawalla, and Aruna Patel.