HDF Chicago Network
Holds Record-Breaking Annual Event
 |
Azhar
Saleem, HDF CEO in Pakistan |
Munni
Begum |
HDF
Chicago Network’s 10th annual community awareness
and fund raising dinner was attended by over 900 people
and $430,000 were raised for the Human Development Foundation.
The dinner was held on the occasion of the Inaugural Convention
on Human Development. The Convention was organized to celebrate
10 yrs of HDF work to bring about a positive social change
and community empowerment through mass literacy, enhanced
quality of education, universal healthcare and grassroots
economic development.
The event was held in the North Ballroom of the Donald E.
Stephen Convention Center in Rosemont, IL on May 26,2006.
It featured a silent auction of generously donated art,
jewelry, clothing and as array of other items.
Dr. Adil Najam and Ethan Casey were present to autograph
copies of their books – ‘Portrait of a Giving
Community: Philanthropy by Pakistani Americans’ and
‘Alive and Well in Pakistan: A Human Journey in a
Dangerous Time’.
The proceedings began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an
by Zunaira Arshad.
The Mistress of Ceremonies, Arshia Hasnain, welcomed the
attendees and laid out the program for the evening. She
introduced the Honorable Aitzaz Ahemd, Consul General of
Pakistan, who talked about how the work of HDF encompasses
education, healthcare and economic development.
After dinner a fashion show dazzled the audience as beautiful
bridal dresses, formal dresses and sarees from Pakistan
were displayed. In between the fashion show segments, Mehmood
Khan conducted four live auctions which prepared the audience
for the most important part of the night - fundraising.
 |
Jawwad
Ahmed |
Fashion
Show |
Auctioning
of bats by Mehmood Khan |
Arshia
Hasnain |
One
of the items up for sale was a set of two cricket bats,
one signed by the 2006 national Pakistan team, and the other
by the West Indies team. The autographed set went for a
total of $18,000!
Soon, Mehmood Khan was joined on stage by one of the pillars
of HDF, Khalid Riaz. When the fundraising began, the goal
for the evening’s fundraising was set at $300,000.
Together, Mehmood and Khalid were able to motivate the audience
and closed the night with a total of over $421,000. It was
a proud evening for all of the HDF members and volunteers
who had worked tirelessly for many months.
The night was still young and the audience was anxiously
waiting for the final portion of the program. Soon, the
‘one and only’ Munni Begum took center stage
and mesmerized the audience with her captivating voice and
vocal magic.
The audience jumped to their feet when the talented Jawad
Ahmed was invited on stage. His magical and soulful vocals
transported the Chicago community into an evening of fun,
dancing and loud cheers. The energetic crowd did not want
Jawad Ahmed to leave and as an artist, what more could one
ask for. The evening came to a close at 1:30 AM.
Overall, it was heartwarming to see the local community
not only from Chicago, but also from other neighboring states
like Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota involved
in this very worthy cause. Thanks are due once again to
all members and volunteers, and especially the donors who
helped make HDF exceed its goal. See you all next year!
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