HDF Chicago Chapter Fundraiser
Biggest Success Yet
Dr.
Khalid Riaz and Dr. Mahmood Khan |
Chicago: The Human Development
Foundation of North America’s Chicago Chapter hosted
its most successful event to date on May 6, 2006, with more
than 600 attendees who helped raise over $320,000 for HDF’s
humanitarian programs.
“We in the Chicago Chapter are so proud,” said
Dr. Mussarrat Arshad, president of the Chicago Chapter. “We
put out a call to action to the community, and they responded
like never before — it’s amazing!”
The event was so keenly awaited that all 600 tickets were
sold out weeks ahead of time, and people continued calling
up to the day of the event, hoping for an opportunity to snatch
a last-minute ticket.
“This is really a testament to the level of commitment
of everyone in the Chicago community,” said Dr. M. Khalid
Riaz, Co-Chair of HDF. Kudos to “certainly the Chicago
Chapter for organizing such a wonderful event, and, just as
importantly, to all of the people in the community who have
showed their support for HDF’s programs so strongly,”
he said.
The evening was planned to the minutest detail, and when all
the guests were seated, the program began with a welcome from
Arshia Hasnain, who acted as MC of the event. After some additional
welcoming remarks from Dr. Arshad, the Consul General of Pakistan
in Chicago, Mr. Aitzaz Ahmed, graciously spoke about the great
work HDF does, and how glad he was to be able to work with
the organization.
The spotlight then turned to a report highlighting HDF’s
activities, which was presented by Dr. Riaz and Dr. Mehmood
Khan, a senior vice-president at Takeda Pharmaceutical and
HDF Board member. First, a short video presentation highlighting
the work HDF has done in helping an earthquake-ravaged area
in the Kashmir mountain region was shown.
Left
to right: Dr. Mussarat Arshad, Aitzaz Ahmed and Arshia
Hasnain |
Then, both Dr. Riaz and
Dr. Khan shared some very moving personal stories of individuals
who have been helped through HDF’s programs, particularly
children who overcame great obstacles in attempting to receive
a solid education.
As the fundraising portion of the evening got underway, Dr.
Khan produced a bat that his wife, Shaida Khan had somehow
managed to get signed by both the Pakistani cricket team on
one side, and the Indian team on the other! The spirited bidding
on this item alone ended at over $25,000, and set the tone
for a very successful and heartfelt outpouring of support
from the members of the community who had gathered there.
A
section of the audience |
But, there was still more
in store. The Pakistani rock band Strings, a true worldwide
sensation, with songs on MTV Asia and in the Spiderman 2 soundtrack
(Indian Release), took the stage to play for the attendees.
While the music was loud and sometimes raucous, even the thirty
something and older members of the crowd seemed to heartily
enjoy it.
“It was a great event, and we thank everyone who supported
it,” said Dr. Arshad, “but the real work is what
HDF is doing in Pakistan every hour of every day, and all
of us here in Chicago are humbled and honored to be able to
help support that work.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
