The Desi Times
On Saturday, August 2, an intimate group of 70 Trustees and supporters of the American India Foundation (AIF) gathered at the residence of Bulbul and Vimal Bahuguna, Member Board of Directors AIF, in Bannockburn. Guests of the festive fete enjoyed a delicious dinner from Urban Tandor and live entertainment that kept guests dancing ’til dawn. The evening served as an opportunity to celebrate the recent success of AIF’s Chicago chapter and to kick-off the organization’s 9th annual Chicago Gala, “Bow Ties and Bangles.”
Taking place on November 8, 2014 at Union Station, the Gala is one of the most highly-anticipated social events of the season. More than 500 business leaders, elected officials and community thought leaders attend and support AIF’s Benefit and its mission to further social and economic change in India. An extraordinary auction, enticing entertainment and a decadent dinner, add to the event’s allure for new supporters and old friends of the organization. Since its inception, the Chicago Gala has raised more than $4.5 million to directly support programs and initiatives to catalyze change in India.
“Our Gala and the organization as a whole is unique since 100% of the funds raised supports our programming,” says Lew Rosenbloom, Founder & Principal of Rosenbloom Advisors, LLC. A supporter of AIF’s Chicago chapter since its inception and last year’s honoree, Rosenbloom acknowledges that this accomplishment is made possible because of the organization’s passionate supporters. “AIF’s success is a tribute to the fact that people are involved, not just money. Our supporters give more than money – they give of themselves. We all have the ability to write a check, but what is more impactful and very transformational is giving of self – our minds, time, energy to transform a nation that has unparalleled promise.”
This year, Lew will pass the baton to a new honoree who is equally committed to advancing the mission of AIF. The organization looks forward to announcing his successor and additional details about “Bow Ties and Bangles” in the weeks leading up to the highly anticipated event.
“Bow Ties and Bangles” takes place at 6:30 PM on Saturday, November 8 at Union Station in Chicago.
American India Foundation (AIF) Chicago is a growing network of leaders in business, arts, culture, and philanthropy, who all have one thing in common: an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of underprivileged people in India. The Chicago chapter has quickly expanded to hosting large-scale premiere fundraising events, attended by the best and brightest in every field who are generously supporting the causes espoused by AIF. Chapter members are personally committed to raising awareness in the Chicago community of AIF’s work to improve the education, livelihoods, and health of India’s most vulnerable communities. Here in the US, AIF is contributing to the development of future leaders, with a world view, by sponsoring exceptionally bright and motivated young Americans under the AIF-Clinton Service Fellowship program for a 10- month long internship with over 130 NGOs and Social Enterprises in India.
