$ 22,309 India Club gives full collection to RFS in its Bush Fire Appeal 2020

By Shubha Kumar
Chairman: India Club Inc.

We are very grateful to everybody actively involved in this benevolent feat and convey our sincere thanks to ALL for this successful achievement. An event like this attains success with meticulous planning, passionate dedication and combined disciplined team efforts only.
 
What drove our core Team India Club : Empathy for Volunteer bushfire fighters losing their lives while saving others’, and genuine concern for their young families left behind. Who does not know about the horrendous bushfires this season in NSW, OLD & SA. We discerned that it is not sufficient only to chat about this calamity, but it is our duty to generate whatever resources we can, to support the Fire Fighting efforts of the RFS, especially for welfare of the Volunteer firies.

The IC-BFA event on 27th January, 2020 held at Pennant Hills Community Centre, firmed up in December when India Club was deliberating to stage a fund raiser for RFS and we were approached by Vinod Rajput and Neena Badhwar. After an initial discussion meeting, India Club decided to stage the IC-BFA program. The cause being benevolent, the custodians of  India  Club assumed complete responsibility to coordinate & organise the function, with  utmost passion. In usual IC manner,  meticulous planning,  booking the venue, cleaner and DJ etc was carried out. Vinod Rajput had charge of the musical segments and singers, delivered very well-thanks. Many others were contacted to support the drive with sponsorships, donations, auction items and raffles etc and also the MC and dance segments were organised. The IC then focused on flyer, publicity, inviting guests, program structure, run sheet, booking lists, money accounting, tickets & various printings etc. India Club coordinated, administered and conducted the IC-BFA benevolent function; with a select experienced task force “Team India Club” assembled for the purpose and the volunteers, implementing execution successfully on D-Day.
Strong support, encouragement, generous sponsorships and donations of India Club members, friends and the community, including kids from primary and high school, led to a necessary greater awareness and  despite a short lead time  produced a substantial respected amount to donate; that we regard a worthy community achievement. Sincere thanks to all involved actively and to all attendees, for their cooperation and enthusiastic support in various forms.

The welcome presence and on going support of Hon. Phillip Ruddock Mayor Hornsby Shire, Consul General of India Mr Manish Gupta and Mrs Nimisha Gupta, Dr Michelle Byrne Mayor the Hills Shire & Clr Samuel Uno the Hills Shire is duly appreciated; our thanks especially for giving their valuable time and sitting through the entire program. Mr Brendon Doyle Operations Officer Baulkham Hills HQ RFS: Warm thanks our new good friend, for efficient support & ready help when required.

Splendid entertainment “Bollywood Melodies and Beats” was designed and provided by Vinod Rajput and his Team including talented singer Pushpa Jagdish, famous Sydney artist and singer Seema Bhardwaj; the songs appropriately selected in the honour of firefighters; Dr Gamini Goonetillekas the percussionist provided delightful instrumental accompaniment. Amazing dance performance on “Retro to new era Bollywood Dances” by Dr Tanima Banerjee together with her students, and the Dancing Stars of India Club rocking the hall with their vibrant Bollywood Medley.

India Club with enthusiastic support of the community, managed to raise  $ 22,309 by the IC-BFA , a healthy sum, comprising of donations, auctions, tickets, raffles, food and drinks money etc. The entire collection has already been passed on to RFS; No expenses deducted. India Club has paid additional donation to meet all expenses of Hall & DJ etc.
Earnest thanks to ALL donors, providers and contributors; the few are listed below.

Auctions: The benevolent contributions of  community welfare backers, the Providers of valuable auction items and the warm hearted Bidders for the cause, listed in the table below, are distinctly commendable and yes, we thank them whole heartedly on behalf of diverse community.

Collection from tickets amounted to $5280, thanks to attendees for their concern and support.
Raffles, Food & Drinks sale produced $1272.

We do thank and are delightfully grateful to Sponsors: Ajay Raj of  Maya Da Dhaba & Madison Function Centre, happily agreed to sponsor the snacks on our 1st request; similarly on just one call Nita & Hemant Tanna of Decore-E-Shaan immediately said yes & sponsored the decoration and AJ DJ when called, said he will charge only the expenses. With excellence and continuing support to India Club is duly recognised; they have factually become vital parts of Team India Club. Lalitha Vishwanathan made and donated joeys and pouches for relief of wallabies/kangaroos; the firies took these happily to send to front line to save the animals hurt in bushfire. Raffle gift items donors Jaswanti Patel, Delhi Heights Reastaurant Dural, Manjit’s at the Wharf  in Darling harbour, are deserving of thanks.

We feel indebted to, duly recognise and appreciate the support and community service of our dear “Team India Club” & the volunteers, many silently operational behind the scene working conscientiously to ensure that the event executes smoothly as planned, to enhance the enjoyment of all present. Our extra special thanks to the understanding  graceful personality and highly respected singer Vinod Rajput, seasoned reliable hard working Ram & Nalini Ramamurthy, ultra efficient & responsible Puneet Grover & talented Mona Grover, the competent IC Anchor Jaya Singhal, journalist supporter Neena Badhwar, dedicated and diligent Sunil & Bindi Shah, always offering a helping hand Pallavi and Dharamvir Yadav of ascending in fame “Bhajia”, treasurer Abha Gargya and our community welfare minded volunteers Reeta Rajput, passionately perseverant auctioneer Kanti Dewan, Jaini Shah, Binu Horne, Jimmy Medhora,  Pratibha Bhanushali, Ankur  Badhwar, Prerna & Suhani Mathew, Ila Deshpandey, Jaswanti Patel and several more.

We have obtained the RFS issued receipts for donations paid to India Club.  You may please contact us to get your receipts, if you so wish.

The story of Team India Club BFA event is well illustrated and flowing through emails, messaging, Facebook  & WhatsApp; thanks to photographer Harmohan Singh Walia, videographer dear Reyen Shah, more photos by youngster Arnav Grover and of course by the supportive enthusiastic audience. Media support of “The Indian Down Under”, “Desi Australia” and Ash James of Adelphi Magazines is appreciated;  also supportive hand of Asha Group and Indian Seniors Group.

By the grace of divine forces, the purpose of this passionate deed has been served well and advanced further by ensuing a wanted greater awareness in the community, encouraging more to conduct their own drive to generate resources in their chosen style, ultimately generating more support for the benevolent cause. For us the satisfaction is that the IC-BFA money collection has been assigned to Firefighters’ welfare fund and we have been assured to know, how and where this money is spent.

Sean Flynn producer of Channel 7 Sunrise weather segment announced India Club’s collective heartfelt effort and the collection of $22,000 at their Weather Report Segment, Australia-wide. IC members & friends are thrilled with this promotion. 

Keep watching the space for our future cultural events and for future community projects enhancing communities inclusion, networking, goodwill and harmony in our Multicultural society.