IACF will Celebrate 25 Years of Giving at Silver Jubilee Gala on September 21

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By Murthy Divakaruni

HOUSTON: On Saturday, Sept 21, Indo American Charity Foundation, one of the primary philanthropic organizations of the Indian American society of Houston will celebrate 25 years of giving back to the Houston community with their Silver Jubilee gala fundraiser. The gala will be held at Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010.

IACF has been the primary giving arm of the Indian community for 25 years and is one of the few Indian charities that support local nonprofit organizations and help people living here in Houston. IACF’s motto is “We Live Here and We Give Here.” IACF president, Murthy Divakaruni, states, “We feel it is very important for us to give to the community where we live and work and from which we benefit in so many ways.  We support many non-profits such as the Houston Food Bank, SEARCH, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Houston Area Women’s Center, Teach for America, Avance, Richmond State School, Meals on Wheels, Indian Doctors Clinic, etc. We give college scholarships to underprivileged students and have started a tutoring program for under-served grade school students in several schools. We provided seed money for several organizations such as Daya (for domestic violence survivors) and IACAN  (cancer patients support system) and we continue to help them.

The money we raise this year will support charities in Greater Houston in four major areas: E-Education, F-Families, especially Women and Seniors, G– General Need such as Hunger and Poverty, H– Healthcare for the underprivileged.

We are also planning to start a Volunteer Matching program, to put members of the Indian American community who would like to generously give their time and talent in touch with non-profits that are a good fit for their interests and abilities. More details about this program will be announced at the gala.”

This fundraiser on September 21 will also provide an opportunity for IACF to recognize and honor the past presidents and founders of the organization. A booklet detailing IACF’s history and activities will be unveiled at this event. The four honorary chairs of the gala are Nandita Harish, Manmeet Likhari, Nidhika Pershant and Leena Shah.

The evening will begin with a grand reception. Speeches by one of the founders tracing the birth of this organization and by the president on new directions to be taken by IACF will be followed by entertainment, including the Silver Oasis fashion show designed by Simran Rihal, with clothing and accessories provided by Naureen. There will be dinner and dancing to live music afterwards.

IACF urges the Houston community to come and support the good work they do in improving social conditions around them. President Murthy Divakaruni states, “Obviously none of what we do would be possible without strong support from the community. I thank you all for your past generosity and urge you to help us out this year, too. With your help I would like to raise $350,000-$500,000 this year to change the lives of the needy. Please join us on Sept 21 and say with us, IACF: I am Charity’s Friend.”

More information about IACF  is available at: http://iacfhouston.com/.

Gala tickets are $250 each. Tables of ten are $2500. Higher levels of sponsorship are also available. Supporters can purchase their tickets by phoning the IACF committee as follows: Murthy Divakaruni (president) 832 233 7131. Anu Bala (past president) 832 865 6222. Ramesh Cherivirala (713) 875-4336. Or they can  pay online at http://iacfhouston.com/donations.html. People who cannot attend are requested to donate to IACF.