BY SONAM MIRPURI
CERRITOS, CA - Susan Daniel Memorial (SDM) Cancer Relief Fund raised over $100,000 at its 30th annual fundraising banquet held on Oct 17 at the Sheraton here. With close to 500 guests in attendance, the evening was filled with entertainment, laughter, food, fun, and fundraising. Mathew Daniel, who lost his wife,
CERRITOS, CA - Susan Daniel Memorial (SDM) Cancer Relief Fund raised over $100,000 at its 30th annual fundraising banquet held on Oct 17 at the Sheraton here. With close to 500 guests in attendance, the evening was filled with entertainment, laughter, food, fun, and fundraising. Mathew Daniel, who lost his wife,
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Susan to cancer started SDM Cancer Relief Fund in July 1985 with a vision to help poor cancer patients in Kerala, India. Since its inception, Daniel, Founder and Chairman, and the board members have been working tirelessly to raise funds to help cancer patients. Key note speaker Jay Zaveri, SDM Ambassador, spoke passionately about how he thoroughly researched the organization prior to choosing to donate and become an ambassador. Zaveri took time to applaud and commend Daniel for turning his grief into something beautiful and helping others which is no easy task; taking pain and spinning it into happiness. He commended Daniel for the way in which he managed to do that and continue to carry on the good work. He urged guests to donate generously for the good cause. “We need to help those who need help, but we need your help to help them,” said Zaveri as he summarized the overall mission and goal of SDM. Zaveri was honored with an award for being an SDM ambassador. He brought 45 guests with him for the event. Emcee for the evening Reggie Pottukulam introduced Mathew Daniel. Daniel thanked all for attending as well as donating. He expressed his gratitude by saying SDM would not have been successful without everyone’s generous support.
Abraham Mathew, current SDM president, gave a brief presentation on SDM, adding that events like these were not possible without help from volunteers and other dedicated individuals who choose to help others.
Awards were handed to Ravi Vellatheri who was honored for his untiring service to SDM as well as C.A. Philipose who has been with SDM since its inception.
In between speeches and fundraising, the guests were kept entertained by comedian Rajiv Satyal, a dance troupe and musicians.
Entertaining and making the audience laugh comes easily to Satyal. Comparing life to toilet paper he went on to say “Indians are like almonds; actually more like coconuts because Indians are hairy,” to which the crowd roared with laughter.
Starting the night off was Valley Group, a Kerala style percussion band performing Chenda Melam .
Joya Kazi and her fellow dancers set the stage on fire with the Bollywood dance numbers dancing to the popular “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” “Kehna Hi Kya” “Salaam e Ishq Meri Jaan” and “Asalaam e Ishqum,” among others.
Pottukulam did the raffle drawings throughout the evening for prizes which included a Dell desktop computer, HP laptop among others and the final most anticipated prize an Apple watch which was won by a 13-year- old boy who according to Pottukulam was “now going to be very popular!” SDM secretary Jai Johnson, thanked everyone for attending and contributing to making the event and the organization successful. Daniel came on stage to interrupt Johnson and honor him for being an amazing secretary since 1995. As guests enjoyed dinner they were kept entertained with songs by “Music of India” featuring Maya and Biju.
Abraham Mathew, current SDM president, gave a brief presentation on SDM, adding that events like these were not possible without help from volunteers and other dedicated individuals who choose to help others.
Awards were handed to Ravi Vellatheri who was honored for his untiring service to SDM as well as C.A. Philipose who has been with SDM since its inception.
In between speeches and fundraising, the guests were kept entertained by comedian Rajiv Satyal, a dance troupe and musicians.
Entertaining and making the audience laugh comes easily to Satyal. Comparing life to toilet paper he went on to say “Indians are like almonds; actually more like coconuts because Indians are hairy,” to which the crowd roared with laughter.
Starting the night off was Valley Group, a Kerala style percussion band performing Chenda Melam .
Joya Kazi and her fellow dancers set the stage on fire with the Bollywood dance numbers dancing to the popular “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” “Kehna Hi Kya” “Salaam e Ishq Meri Jaan” and “Asalaam e Ishqum,” among others.
Pottukulam did the raffle drawings throughout the evening for prizes which included a Dell desktop computer, HP laptop among others and the final most anticipated prize an Apple watch which was won by a 13-year- old boy who according to Pottukulam was “now going to be very popular!” SDM secretary Jai Johnson, thanked everyone for attending and contributing to making the event and the organization successful. Daniel came on stage to interrupt Johnson and honor him for being an amazing secretary since 1995. As guests enjoyed dinner they were kept entertained with songs by “Music of India” featuring Maya and Biju.
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