Share & Care Foundation Raises $800,000 For Covid Relief Fund

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The leading non-profit organization Share & Care Foundation, held a highly successful gala featuring popular performers and partner NGOs in India, delighting audiences and spurring donors to give approximately $800,000 for Covid relief work. 

Organizers told Desi Talk they are not yet satisfied and want to raise more by continuing to broadcast the high-quality entertainment thanks to Parthiv Gohil and team, as well as the event to increase donations for critical needs in the fight against Covid. 

Audiences can look forward to ITV Gold channel (Parikh  Worldwide Media) running the popular event as part of its programming in August, as pledged by Chairman and CEO Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh.

“It has been one of my greatest pleasures in life to be associated with this organization that aims at providing help to the needy in the Motherland,” Dr. Parikh said in his speech. “During the Covid pandemic in 2020, and now in 2021, with the surge of this horrible virus and its variants in India, Share & Care has played a critical role to work at the grassroots with organizations in India,” he added. The SCF’s latest fundraising initiative is for $1 million relief package which is expected to provide vaccination assistance for more than 400,000 people, plus more than 2,000 health kits, and food assistance for more than 20,000 struggling families, Dr. Parikh pointed out, urging donors to open their hearts and wallets.

President of SCF Sharad Shah said the purpose of the “Pandemic Relief and Recovery Fund” raiser was to thank and acknowledge patrons for supporting Share & Care initiatives over the last 15 months; to raise funds and resources for future relief operations; to provide light entertainment for everyone who has been through the difficult period; and to provide a glimpse of SCF projects by bringing alive activities on the field to create awareness.

Between 2 showings of the program, July 17 and July 24, 2021, an estimated 800 people watched the show and gave generously. 

Comments of appreciation came flooding in from viewers. 

“Even though we were thrilled with $800,000 pledges, we were unhappy about it and, therefore, we convinced Producer / Director of the show to rerun. It was done on July 24 without a hitch,” Sharad Shah said.

The program was in Gujarati, however, many people who do not understand Gujarati have sent their gratitude to SCF, organizers said.  

Partner NGOs in India featured during the program are located in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and  Maharashtra and were only a part of the more than dozen places where SCF is doing Covid relief work, besides the projects in the United States. 

“The show was beautifully shot at Rann of Kutch, also known as ‘White Desert’ by Parthiv Gohil and his wife Manasi,” said Dr. Manoj Desai, chairman of Fundraising and Annual Gala. 

“He took 12 artists and all supporting artists to the site to shoot the performances. It captured the culture of Kutch – in the dresses, the songs, and the villages,” Dr. Desai said, adding, “People have responded well and actually want a ‘Part Two’ of it, and some have said they want to visit Kutch after seeing the program. We are so thankful to Parthiv Gohil and Maansi who have worked with us all the times, and to our supporters.” Dr. Desai said.

“It was a one-of-a-kind show – one of the best that SCF has had over the years,” Amar Shah, chairman of Disaster Relief Committee and member of the Board of Trustees told Desi Talk. 

“Apart from the great performances, this program also showcased our projects in India and how much Indians living abroad feel about their Motherland,” Amar Shah said. 

Patrons reported that they were very happy with SCF’s work, and “Padmashri Dr Sudhir Parikh gave a motivational speech in the event. He was extremely pleased with the program and agreed to show the entire program on August 15th to general public,” Sharad Shah said.

There was an additional bonus with the program, organizers indicated. “Since lately, we are working to enroll younger generation with scattered success…. In this event, we got a helping hand from Padma Shri Kailash Kher and IPL cricket player Mr. Jaydev Unadkat. We hope that, these new recruits will help us bring young people to join and some day take over fine work of our foundation,” Sharad Shah said.

Jayu Parikh, chairwoman, delivered the vote of thanks recognizing patrons as well as artists, Emcee Manasi Parekh Gohil, Parthiv Gohil as well as celebrities Padma Shri Kailash Kher, and IPL cricket player Jaydev Unadkat.