Madhur Jaffrey, Sakina Jaffrey receive Woman of Distinction Award.By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: Children’s Hope India’s (CHI) spring luncheon at Water’s Edge in Long Island City, Queens, raised $25,000 to help children in New York City’s homeless shelters.
A highlight of the spring luncheon, attended by over 200 guests, was the presence of actress and cook book author Madhur Jaffrey and her daughter, the actress Sakina Jaffrey of the ‘House of Cards’. Both received the CHI Woman of Distinction Award, according to a press release.
“I have no doubt that at some point every one of you has had to reach back to your education to validate your ticket in life. It’s a security blanket that not everyone enjoys. But by giving time, energy and money to places like Children’s Hope, we can extend that opportunity to others. We can help launch that essential journey of validation for the children who most need it,” said Sakina Jaffrey.
Dina Pahlajani, CHI board member, talked about the cause of homeless children in New York City, who number over 22,700 and shuttle between school in the day-time and shelters at night, living in difficult surroundings. She said CHI is working with city organizations to identify how the funds raised from the luncheon can best be used to improve their lives.
CHI is a volunteer organization of Indian women professionals in New York that has been raising funds for children’s health and education since 1992. It supports over 20 projects across several major cities in India reaching out to over 200,000 children per year.
The New York luncheon was organized by the CHI benefit committee comprising of Babita Advani, Milan Devjani, Aarti Kamat, Maneesha Sani, and Madhulika Shroff. It was coordinated by Jharna Jaisinghani of Artistic Affairs.
The event a spirited musical performance by Perry Walia, an upcoming singer and musician, classically trained by Punjab and Sham Chaurasia Gharanas, as well as by DJ Suheil Jagtiani.
Attendees also shopped stylish clothing and jewelry at tables laden with must-haves from Treasures in Vogue (by Manisha Dhuper), tunics by Kiran Shrivasta, shawls by Sonika Nanda, and jewelry and accessories by Yatra Collections. There were also bangles in colorful pouches by Exclusively.In, a popular e-commerce fashion portal, and familiar blue boxes with white ribbons from The Cake Designer, laden not with jewels, but delectable truffles.
The sponsors of the meet were Arvind and Perry Walia, Patel Brothers, Singh Hospitality, Sani Family Foundation, Mathrani Family Foundation, Sanjana and Vijay Samtani, Rahul Kadakia (of Christie’s), and the Kamat and Ramnani families.