UNICEF Gala: Houston’s Elegance & Generosity
By Kalyani Giri
Last Updated:October 03, 2008

HOUSTON: Bangles and bindis, music and mythology, sarees and sequins. To the vociferous staccato beat of the dhol, majestic India made her grandiose appearance at the UNICEF Southwest Region gala fundraiser on the evening of September 27, and garnered an unprecedented $1 million to benefit the humanitarian organization’s child survival programs in India. The event, themed Mystique of India, held at the Intercontinental Hotel Ballroom, transformed the foyer into a magical marketplace canopied with ornately embroidered parasols, creating a vibrant milieu for the 750 guests to mingle over cocktails and conversation. Gatherees also got the opportunity to browse through and sign up for the various items and travel/holiday packages up for silent auction in the reception area. Slated for earlier in the month, the gala was postponed because of Hurricane Ike’s disruptive descent on this city. Regardless of the change of date and the absence of celebrity honorees whose busy itineraries could not accommodate the rescheduled event, nothing could impede the large turnout nor quell the celebratory spirit of the evening.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the event was former television anchorman and Emmy award-winning journalist Bob Boudreaux who welcomed guests and introduced Chairman of the Board for the Southwest Region Dr. Carolyn Farb, who co-chaired the gala with Nidhika and Pershant Mehta.

“Houston is a large-hearted international city composed of many different cultures and responds accordingly globally to natural disasters, human rights issues, HIV-AIDS prevention and basic food, water, clothing, education and protection of children around the world,” said Dr. Farb.

“I see a lot of cowboys and Indians,” said Pershant Mehta as he perused the wide diversity of the audience. “I see some Indians dressed as cowboys, and some cowboys dressed as Indians. What excites us about UNICEF is that we all find common ground in helping the organization in bringing relief to the underprivileged around the world. Our not having electricity over the past weeks is no big deal. Think of those who don’t have those luxuries in their everyday lives,” he added.

A video presentation described UNICEF’S crucial work in 150 countries around the world, saving children’s lives for more than 60 years. The statistics in India are grim; at least two- million people die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases. This year alone, 21 million Indians were affected by disaster. In India child malnutrition rates are among the highest globally, and every one of three malnourished children in the world lives in India. One Indian woman dies every seven minutes as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. UNICEF’s Vaccination on Wheels Program has vaccinated more than 8000 children. Over 150 Indian health practitioners trained by UNICEF have in turned trained more than 2100 midwives to ensure safer births. To reduce maternal death, UNICEF has developed simple and affordable solutions such as 24-hour telephone hotlines that provide private taxis to pregnant women in over 170 villages who cannot afford the transportation that can mean define the line between life and death. UNICEF provides supplies, undertakes facility renovations, and conducts training for doctors and midwives. Under the organization’s auspices hospitals become training grounds for care providers, and the quality of care rendered to the public is upgraded. UNICEF has launched a campaign to teach families about nutrition and eating right to promote healthy living. UNICEF also spearheads AIDS/HIV awareness programs in an attempt to address the scourge decimating thousands all over the world, particularly in third world countries.

Every year UNICEF honors philanthropists of distinction. Heading the list this year was John Tsacrios, the Founding Director for the Southwest Region of UNICEF, who received special recognition for devoting 26 years of his life to the children of the world through UNICEF. In lauding him, Dr. Farb, a noted humanitarian herself, told gatherees that Tsacrios gave life and hope to millions of children over the years.

“John has done this selflessly, like a sage, a spiritual guide fulfilling his mission and duty. A life spent in service to others is a life led by only wise human beings. The world is a better place for your inhabitance, John,” said Dr. Farb in touching tribute. Tsacrios was presented with a bronze sculpture by renowned artist, Eric Kaposta, and recognized by Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee with a Congressional Proclamation for his years of service.

The Gold Medallion of Valor Awards 2008 went to Grammy Award-Winning artiste Kelly Rowland, a founder/singer of Destiny’s Child; internationally renowned fashion designer Naeem Khan; and local philanthropists Eileen and Kase Lawal. The Lawals, CEO and Vice President of CAMAC International Corporation, a global energy services business based in Houston, spearheaded a drive that raised over $2 million in support of UNICEF’s Unite for Children – Unite Against AIDS Campaign. Rowland was honored for her dedication to help fight the AIDS/HIV pandemic in Africa. Khan is highly regarded for his generosity benefiting the causes of UNICEF and the silent auction conducted in the foyer held several designer garments sponsored by him.

Robert Thompson, Senior Vice President of Development of the US Fund for UNICEF was glowing in his praise of the Houston community.

“Houston’s tenacious spirit seems to be in full power tonight,” quipped Thompson, in a clear allusion to the power cut in the wake of the storm. He urged gatherees to continue in their support of UNICEF for the sake of the children.
Thompson’s message was reiterated by Barron Segar, the Southeast Regional Director and Interim Director for UNICEF in this city, who added that India is seeing a reduction in child mortality through the efforts of organizations such as UNICEF.

“The challenges are ongoing. I’m here primarily to learn from this fundraising experience and Nidhika and Pershant Mehta have already become my lifelong friends through their commitment to the cause,” said Segar. He added that he hoped for more collaborative efforts between neighboring states so the theme could be shared to encourage more diversity.

The live auction drew enthusiastic response; up for bidding were designer clothes, handbags, jewelry, and Elton John concert packages. The Indian theme carried through to the plated dinner and to the entertainment that followed at the adjacent Discovery Room where café latte and martini bars were set up for guests dancing to Bollywood songs spun by DJ Yogi.

“This evening almost never happened,” confided a very elated Co-Chair Nidhika Mehta, who was in charge with handling the logistics of the event.

“It (Ike) was such a shocker but we had no time to indulge our disbelief. We worked 24/7 to reschedule and were often demoralized by the responses from our honorees that could not make it this time. But everything worked out,” added Mehta.

Longtime board member with UNICEF, Leela Krishnamurthy, lauded the Indo-American community for their strong support. In this city’s 26-year history of hosting the fundraiser/gala, this year was most successful, she said.
“Just last year there were only about twelve couples from our community. This year more than half of the guest list is from our community, which is indicative of our ability to assimilate into the mainstream in a shared climate of giving to a worthy cause, said Krishnamurthy.

For more information on UNICEF visit www.unicefusa.org