SOFKIN's fundraiser event held in NJ

New Jersey: SOFKIN (Support Organization for Kids In Need), a Non-profit organization registered in New Jersey had its seventh annual fundraiser , RHYTHM 2102 at the cross roads south middle school auditorium on Saturday, June 2. Over 15,000 dollars was raised at the event that was open to the public.

SOFKIN's mission is to Support the upbringing of under privileged children, irrespective of name or nationality, caste or creed, race or religion by providing basic amenities, education and medical aid in a secure and healthy environment.

SOFKIN has been running homes for under-privileged and orphan children and destitute women for over five years now and currently has over seventy five kids in homes in Hyderabad and Pune In India. Ten more kids are likely to be inducted in this year.

Each SOFKIN home consists of twelve deprived or orphan kids under the care of 2 house mothers. The house mothers usually come from battered and destitute families.

These women are trained in cooking and caring for children, evaluated for efficiency, character and attitude before being placed as housemothers in these homes.

The guests of honor includes Assemblyman Mr Upendra Chivukula, Assebmlywoman Ms Linda Greenstein, MR H.R. Shah of TV Asia and Ms. Alka Agarwal of EBC radio.

TV Asia and EBC radio and South Asian Insider provided media support by promoting the event. Asian Media USA (AMU) provided media coverage at the event. Grand sponsors Mrs. and Mr.Siddarth Bhattacharji graced the occasion that was attended by over 600 people.

Founder of SOFKIN, Mrs. Chaya Pamula presented the goals and objectives and explained how it was different from other similar organizations. She believes in tha adage that 'if you feed a hungry man fish you feed him for a day but if you teach him how to fish you feed him for life'.

She believes in empowering under-privileged kids and destitute women and to make them self sufficient.

She told the audience that her vision was to extend help to more needy children and build a permanent place that would accommodate these children over the next few years and hopes that she gets continued support from the sponsors and the donors.

The corporate sponsors included VedicSoft, PamTen inc, Barclays, Eppanpally foundation, JSMN international and Marketway. The ticket price of $10 included dinner and the food served was sponsored by reputed restaurants including Harini Indian cuisine, Sapthagiri, Chopsticks, Chinese Mirch, Suma Foods , Shree brand of food products and Rice and Spices and Rita's ice.

The event featured a scintillating dance competition where students from reputed dance schools from the region participated.

The dance schools who competed included Nupur School of Dance, Rajiv Surti Dance factory and Shisya school of performing arts. Young martial arts students of family karate super center gave an amazing demonstration.