September 7, 2024 – Milpitas, CA – Home of Hope (HOH) celebrated its 25th anniversary in grand style, raising an impressive $259,000 at a gala held at the Indian Community Center in Milpitas. Attended by approximately 300 guests, the venue was adorned in a sophisticated black, white, and silver theme, adding a sense of elegance to the evening.
A captivating performance by the Ishami Dance Company, titled Khwaab (meaning “Dream”), set the tone for the night. Choreographed especially for the occasion, the dance was warmly received by the audience.
Rita Sharma, President of Home of Hope, expressed her deep gratitude to the supporters, emphasizing how their contributions have touched the lives of over 200,000 children. She highlighted the organization’s accomplishments over the past year and proudly announced the launch of HOH’s Young Professionals Chapter. Additionally, Sharma introduced the organization’s latest initiative, collaborating with Donor Advised Funds to further enhance its philanthropic impact.
The gala also featured a film, produced by Board Member Rajesh Relan and a heartfelt speech by HOH’s Chairperson, Nilima Sabharwal, which collectively reflected on the organization’s 25-year journey. She emphasized the lasting impact of HOH, such as the introduction of Punjabi Sign Language and advocating for juvenile mental health reforms. Sabharwal also shared success stories of girls who, once victims of child marriage, have become sports champions and entrepreneurs, as well as survivors of human trafficking now pursuing white-collar careers. She encouraged donors to create legacies in the names of their loved ones, assuring them that HOH is an organization that turns ideas into reality.
The motivated audience responded with donations ranging from $500 to $25,000, collectively raising $400,000. The evening concluded with youth awards recognizing outstanding community service, followed by live musical performances by renowned Bay Area singers Pooja Purandare and Vikas Singh.