2020 Mini Fundraiser

The program started with Gauri Yadav’s angelic voice, singing the American National Anthem, and Ms. Padma Mehta’s soulfully rendered the Indian National Anthem. Dr. Vijay Prabhakar introduced the Chief Guests of the event, Dr. (Smt.) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana who joined us virtually all the way from Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad, India, and The Living Legend, Hon. Congressman Danny K Davis who joined us live from Washington DC. Following this Mr. Sagar Kumar introduced the enthralling video depicting the birth and history of MAFS. The welcoming speech was given by Dr. Firdaus Jafri, DDS – President – MAFS, and she welcomed chief guests, panelists, distinguished speakers, seniors, and viewers. Following the phenomenal speech of Mrs. Kumar, State Rep. Michelle Mussman, who has always been a strong advocate of MAFS and a true darling for seniors, congratulated Mrs. Kumar and her dedicated staff for finding new and creative ways to serve the seniors who may be lonely at home without proper food, during this horrible Pandemic. She mentioned that she is grateful for the “Lions work” MAFS continues to do even during trying times. Ms. Mussman had 3 requests for MAFS on behalf of the state of Illinois,

1. Fill out the CENSUS,
2. Fill out a Vote by Mail Ballot in one’s comfortable language, and
3. DONATE Generously to MAFS so they can continue to do their exemplary work.

Next was a greeting by Ms. Smita Shah Co-Chair, Chicago Planning Commission, City Of Chicago. She is also the CEO of SPAAN Tech, Inc. and chairman of the Delhi-Chicago sister cities. She is a young entrepreneur with a great deal of community leadership and an advocate of the Business Leaders of the Midwest. She thanked MAFS for taking the lead to help during these critical times. “This is a human rights issue”, she added and is very happy to support MAFS for their dedicated work to th Dr. Sreenivas Reddy is a trustee of Chicago Medical Society, the oldest Medical Organization in the US, and a member of the State of Illinois Physician Disciplinary Board. In his greetings, Dr. Reddy conveyed his sincere gratitude and support to MAFS for their tireless effort to be at the forefront of delivering food and support to the seniors during this horrific time of COVID-19.

Next, manager Ms. Dipti Shah introduced a Bollywood Dance Medley performed by seniors who are in their 70s and 80s. The dance video was a pleasure to watch and a refreshing break to see the senior dancers living life to the fullest. We indeed have a lot to learn from them. Our keynote address was delivered by the Danny K Davis, US Congressman, IL 7th District. He spoke highly of Mrs. Kumar who followed her dream and started her vision in a small office and has branched out into several locations in the Chicagoland area to serve the needy.

The Pramod Kumar Student Scholarship award was presented by Mrs. Santosh Kumar along with her two sons, Mr. Prashant Kumar and Mr. Sagar Kumar, to the visionary Vice-Chancellor of Sher E Kashmir Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Jammu, IN, Dr. J.P. Sharma. Mr. Pramod Kumar was a man of humility, sincerity, honesty, and integrity. His love for sciences and his belief that agriculture and farmers are the cornerstones of India’s economy has led the family to institute a private endowment for a student scholarship to a deserving student of this University. Dr. J.P. Sharma accepted this endowment virtually with a vote of thanks to the Kumar family. He said that he was humbled by this gesture. This award will encourage and be an incentive for deserving students. Next, we presented the COVID-19 Relief & Rescue Hero 2020 Award to Dr. Kiran Dhillon, Infectious Disease Specialist, Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox, IL, in recognition of her dedication, commitment, and passion in rendering outstanding clinical care to the Senior Citizens, especially to the Seven Nursing homes in New Lenox- Joliet area. Her tireless service to the Senior Citizens residents resulted in zero incidences of COVID-19, which is truly amazing!

For the grand finale the Chief Guest’s Dr. (Smt.) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon. Governor of Telangana, India, gave her enlightened, inspiring and insightful speech. She was amazed that MAFS services more than 10,000 seniors is not an easy job. She mentioned the importance of serving vulnerable seniors during this crisis and that the title “Mother Theresa of Chicago” was a very apt title for Mrs. Kumar. She ended her speech by saying “Listen to your elders not because they are right but because they have more experience of being wrong.” She wished Mrs. Kumar to keep up her excellent work to serve the seniors!

Finally, with the unparalleled help of our Dear Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Vijay Prabhakar thanked Mr. Prashant Kumar, Jigar Patel, Darshan Patel, Himanshu Suthar, and Hitanshu Rami for their commendable and flawless work. Mrs. Kumar thanked the Honorable Governor, Dr. Srimathi Tamilisai Soundararajan, Honorable Congressman Danny K Davis, Dr. Firduas Jafri, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, and all the staff & panelists for their kind presence and making this event a grand success.

$26,186 Funds Raised