BY SONAM MIRPURI
BUENA PARK, CA - With a desire to help all who have been affected by the recent fires in California the Jain Center of Southern California along with the Anekant Community Center organized a California Wildfire Survivors Fundraiser at the Jain Center here on Dec 1. By Dec 3, $85,000 was raised to assist the survivors of the wildfires.
BUENA PARK, CA - With a desire to help all who have been affected by the recent fires in California the Jain Center of Southern California along with the Anekant Community Center organized a California Wildfire Survivors Fundraiser at the Jain Center here on Dec 1. By Dec 3, $85,000 was raised to assist the survivors of the wildfires.
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Subsequent to lunch, Qusro Patel, one of two masters of ceremonies, welcomed all guests. While Patel spoke to the audience of the purpose of the event, the musicians, Anis Chandani, keyboard and flutist; Deepak Chandla, tablas; and Rishi Thakkar, virtual drum; were busy setting up the stage for the entertainment.
Patel requested the audience to stand for a moment of silence to respect and honor those who lost their lives in the wildfires.
Anjal Jain, Dhiren Buch, Kirti Patel, Mayuri Patel, Mayuri Vasan, Mosami Shah, Vishal Aailawadi were some of the many singers who sequentially took their turn to perform for the audience. Jain, 13-year-old and student of Chandani, was the first to take to the stage to sing. Bani Mukherjee, the other emcee, gave a few facts about the recent wildfires which have hit California.
“The Woolsey Fire was a destructive California wildfire that burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties on Nov 8. It has burned 96,949 acres, destroyed 1,643 structures, and killed three people. More than 295,000 people were evacuated,” said Mukherjee.
There were three additional fires which ignited on the same day as the Woolsey fire. The Camp Fire, Butte County, has burned 153,336 acres; the Nurse Fire, Solano, has burned 1,500 acres; and the Hill Fire, Ventura County, has burned 4,531 acres. The Camp Fire in Northern California has destroyed the town of Paradise.
President of the Jain Center of Southern California, Jasvant Modi, came to the stage to thank everyone for attending.“We want to help in any way we can,” said Modi.
Patel then requested guests to donate to the cause.“We have to thank god who made us capable to donate and help others,” said Patel. Jain then came back to sing a few older Bollywood favorites, the title track from Laaga Chunari Mein Daag as well as Mere Dholna from the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Despite some confusion and technical difficulties, the audiences appeared to be enjoying themselves. Jain was given a huge round of applause upon completion of Mere Dholna as this is a very challenging song and she sang it well.
Patel then came back to recite a few poems and request Dr. Jayesh Shah to come to the stage.
Shah on behalf of the Jain Center of Southern California as well as the Anekant Community Center introduced the dignitaries who were present among them was Buena Park Mayor Pro-Tem Art Brown and his wife Chris. Brown spoke about his affiliation with the Jain Center since its inception 30 years ago.“Please dig deep and donate,” said Brown. To which his wife concurred requesting everyone to donate, no matter the amount.
Buena Park Council Member Fred Smith came up to say a few words. “Thank you for having such big hearts and donating what you can to help,” said Smith.
He was followed by Shane Sherwood, Division Chief of the Buena Park Fire Department, who thanked the Jain Center as well as the Anekant Community Center for the invitation and their kindness.“Those affected by the fires will be very appreciative of your generosity,” said Sherwood.
Shah then came back to urge guests to open their hearts and wallets to donate.
Guests were then shown an audio-visual presentation which depicted highlights of news clips from segments on various news channels of the fires to demonstrate the disaster that had taken place and the need of individuals affected by it.
Modi and Shah then presented the audience with the amount that had been donated and names of donors. They encouraged all to donate as much as they could.
Mayuri Vasan then entertained the guests by singing Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re and Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, which took them back to a different era. Vishal Aailawadi sang two upbeat tracks. Tum Jo Mile Ho and Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le.
The upcoming singer Roshni sang Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla and Kajra Mohabbat Wala Ankhiyon Mein Aisa Dala.
The afternoon continued into the early evening with more singers coming to the stage to entertain while the fund raising went on.
Patel requested the audience to stand for a moment of silence to respect and honor those who lost their lives in the wildfires.
Anjal Jain, Dhiren Buch, Kirti Patel, Mayuri Patel, Mayuri Vasan, Mosami Shah, Vishal Aailawadi were some of the many singers who sequentially took their turn to perform for the audience. Jain, 13-year-old and student of Chandani, was the first to take to the stage to sing. Bani Mukherjee, the other emcee, gave a few facts about the recent wildfires which have hit California.
“The Woolsey Fire was a destructive California wildfire that burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties on Nov 8. It has burned 96,949 acres, destroyed 1,643 structures, and killed three people. More than 295,000 people were evacuated,” said Mukherjee.
There were three additional fires which ignited on the same day as the Woolsey fire. The Camp Fire, Butte County, has burned 153,336 acres; the Nurse Fire, Solano, has burned 1,500 acres; and the Hill Fire, Ventura County, has burned 4,531 acres. The Camp Fire in Northern California has destroyed the town of Paradise.
President of the Jain Center of Southern California, Jasvant Modi, came to the stage to thank everyone for attending.“We want to help in any way we can,” said Modi.
Patel then requested guests to donate to the cause.“We have to thank god who made us capable to donate and help others,” said Patel. Jain then came back to sing a few older Bollywood favorites, the title track from Laaga Chunari Mein Daag as well as Mere Dholna from the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Despite some confusion and technical difficulties, the audiences appeared to be enjoying themselves. Jain was given a huge round of applause upon completion of Mere Dholna as this is a very challenging song and she sang it well.
Patel then came back to recite a few poems and request Dr. Jayesh Shah to come to the stage.
Shah on behalf of the Jain Center of Southern California as well as the Anekant Community Center introduced the dignitaries who were present among them was Buena Park Mayor Pro-Tem Art Brown and his wife Chris. Brown spoke about his affiliation with the Jain Center since its inception 30 years ago.“Please dig deep and donate,” said Brown. To which his wife concurred requesting everyone to donate, no matter the amount.
Buena Park Council Member Fred Smith came up to say a few words. “Thank you for having such big hearts and donating what you can to help,” said Smith.
He was followed by Shane Sherwood, Division Chief of the Buena Park Fire Department, who thanked the Jain Center as well as the Anekant Community Center for the invitation and their kindness.“Those affected by the fires will be very appreciative of your generosity,” said Sherwood.
Shah then came back to urge guests to open their hearts and wallets to donate.
Guests were then shown an audio-visual presentation which depicted highlights of news clips from segments on various news channels of the fires to demonstrate the disaster that had taken place and the need of individuals affected by it.
Modi and Shah then presented the audience with the amount that had been donated and names of donors. They encouraged all to donate as much as they could.
Mayuri Vasan then entertained the guests by singing Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re and Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, which took them back to a different era. Vishal Aailawadi sang two upbeat tracks. Tum Jo Mile Ho and Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le.
The upcoming singer Roshni sang Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla and Kajra Mohabbat Wala Ankhiyon Mein Aisa Dala.
The afternoon continued into the early evening with more singers coming to the stage to entertain while the fund raising went on.
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