"Our Gift to Nepal" Fundraiser - SUCCESSFUL EVENT!!!
Rotary eClub of Houston hosted a fundraiser for Nepal disaster relief on Jul 16 at Lee High School, Houston, Texas. Rotary E-Club of Houston, TX, USA is working with Disaster Aid USA and other partners to provide help for the victims in Nepal. A very special thank you to Wind Nguyen for organizing this event and also to his committee. Rtn. Lizette Odfalk said, "Impressive! We could not have done it without your amazing leadership! " Also, Rtn. Cristal Montanez said, "Congratulations to all of you for a wonderful, well organized and executed avery successful 'Our Gift to Nepal Fundraiser' event last night. The food was delicious, the photo booth was su much fun, and I love my new T-shirt!! Thank you to our Chairman Nguyen T. Nguyen and the organizing team for their hard work and determination in bringing together organizations, volunteers and performers and making sure that everything works timely and efficiently to help the people of Nepal.
This details the events of the evening;
6:00 pm: Greetings and Reception
6:00 pm: Information Center - Information on Nepal earthquakes and avenues to help the disaster victims will be available. Attendants can meet and greet corporate and community sponsors.
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Silent auction. Art and other treasured items auctioned.
7:00 pm: Ceremony, Special Speakers
7:30 pm: Entertainment. Music, dance, drummers, comedy acts, martial arts performances.
6:00 pm: Information Center - Information on Nepal earthquakes and avenues to help the disaster victims will be available. Attendants can meet and greet corporate and community sponsors.
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Silent auction. Art and other treasured items auctioned.
7:00 pm: Ceremony, Special Speakers
7:30 pm: Entertainment. Music, dance, drummers, comedy acts, martial arts performances.
PDG Ed Charlesworth was the emcee for this event and welcomed special guests including State Representative Gene Wu, DG Nick Giannone, Lee High School principal, Mr. Johnathon Trinh, Dr. Tara Nath Sharma, and Saras Paudel (Lee High School Graduate from Nepal).
Dr. Tara Nath Sharma is a well-known litterateur of Nepal. He is recognized as a travel writer, essayist and literary critic. Dr. Sharma has authored over 112 books in Nepali language. He has been a writer of Nepali literature for over five decades. Mr. Sharma has been received the Madan Puraskar Award 1969 for 'Belayat tira baralida' travelogue, Saajha Award 1972 for 'Sama ra samaka kriti' critic, and Aadi kabi Bhanubhakta award 2013.
Saras Paudel led the audience in a special candle ceremony to honor the victims of the earthquake. See photo below.
The musical entertainers provided a world tour of talent and exposed out guests to a great cultural experience! Some of the performers included:
Ryukyu Kingdom Festival Drums - choreography is created in Okinawa. It is a dynamic blend of traditional Eisa and Karate forms with contemporary influences incorporating both traditional folk music and modern rock music.
A Nepali remix song performed by the Nepali Student Association of Houston and a Hawaiian dance group.
The Texas Yuanji Dance Association is dedicated to the introduction of Yuanji Dance exercise to all people and to increase an awareness of Asian American culture. A Yuanji Dance combines serene music and therapeutic movements to enlighten the person's mind, body and soul and was also performed at this event.
In addition, a classical Vietnamese instrument orchestra, a Turkish singer, a 10-year old talented violinist, a Hindu (Odissi) classical dance and even more kept the audience intrigued.
A Magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015 killing more than 8,800 people and injuring more than 23,000. Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless with entire villages flattened across the country. In addition, hundreds of aftershocks have occurred to date from this event, including a magnitude 7.3 earthquake and a magnitude 6.3 earthquake both on May 12, 2015, which further devastated Nepal.
Rotarians exemplify Rotary's motto of ''Service Above Self'' with local and international projects. Due to the major earthquakes that happened recently in Nepal, Rotary E-Club of Houston, TX, USA leads the event “Our Gift to Nepal Fundraiser”. Corporate and community partners within the Houston city and beyond collaborate to raise funds to provide relief for the victims. 100% of the funds raised will be presented to Disaster Aid USA for their current efforts in Nepal. Disaster Aid USA will join forces with Disaster Aid International, Rotary Clubs in Nepal, and other non-governmental organizations around the world to provide immediate relief supplies and funding to help the victims of the earthquake. Other collaborating partners include: International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), Napalese Association of Houston (NAH), Vox Culture, Junior Chamber International - Houston, and Hashoo Foundation USA.
Event Chairman Wind says, "Thank you everyone for making this community fundraiser for Nepal a successful event. We could not have done it without your support. Please stay connected and continue making our Houston community stronger. Be the light and share your light with people around you. #LightUpRotary #GiftToNepal".
The monies are not finalized, but the results already look quite good. The following Rotary clubs in D5890 contributed as follows: Houston - $10,000; West University Area - $5,000; Memorial Spring Branch - $1,500. Other donations amount to about $1405.00 and another donation specifically designated for a mobile clinic in Nepal amounting to $30,000. That means, the efforts of the e-club of Houston fundraiser has already acquired about $48,000.
Well done, Rotarians!