SKN Foundation raises $95,570 to support families of special needs children 

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The Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) HOPE GALA 2023 held on September 10, 2023, at The Marigold in Somerset, NJ, raised $95,570 to support the SKN SCOPE, Special Needs Community Outreach Program for Empowerment.

More than 300 people attended and learnt about the services of SKN Foundation including the Parent Empowerment Program for families with newly diagnosed special needs children, and the Individualized Education Plan Advocacy Support.

Highlighting the need for inclusion, the event emphasized how giving opportunities and a platform to a special needs child will allow many things to be possible, organizers said.

The EPIC NYC theater company produced and directed a play that brought SCOPE kids in a “powerful” stage presentation, a press release from SKN Foundation said.

Designer Mitan Ghosh and Jeweler Mi Amore decorated special needs moms as they walked the ramp.

“This emotion-laden fashion show had the audience in tears as they heard about the dreams that a mother had for their special needs child,” organizers said in the press release.

The Keynote inspirational speaker V.R. Ferose, spoke of his journey as a father of a special needs child and how this impacted his entire life.

Illusionist Neil Madhav played tricks on the attendees who were in awe of his magic.

Comedy actor Omi Vaidya was the emcee who led the audience smoothly and enjoyably through the evening.

“This year’s gala served as a testament to a strong and caring community who demonstrated their commitment to making positive change in the lives of others!” SKN trustee, Sunil Bagaria is quoted saying at the event.

“Fundraising efforts such as this help to significantly advance our mission and make a difference in the lives of many more families of children with special needs,” said SCOPE program director Vasu Nacha.

The success of this event paves the way for exciting new initiatives, the Foundation said, announcing the new national “warm” phone line for newly diagnosed South Asian families of children with special needs which will be led by SKN trustee Sunitha Banda and G1 Health.

The fund raised at this event will also be used for the enhancement of existing projects, organizers said.

The non-profit SKN Foundation’s mission to improve total wellness through education addresses health disparities and strives to improve the delivery of culturally competent health care to South Asians through health education programs on various health issues.