“We value the vision that no activity or amount is too small, by providing the community a platform to bring their resources together to make a difference.”

Share a Smile Chicago, is a registered nonprofit, charity organization with a 501(c) 3 status. It has a unique global vision to share and give back to the less privileged senior citizens by identifying those who are most vulnerable and underserved, first within the greater Chicago community, and then reaching out overseas. They hold a fundraiser every year to raise money to fund various projects that they endorse including the main benefactor, a senior home called Sukhdham.

This year’s annual fundraiser was held April 22, at The Meadows Club, featuring “The Funny Indian” Rajiv Satyal, an Indian-American stand-up comedian who created a sensation when his “I Am Indian” video went viral in August 2014.

Before this, he opened many shows for world famous comics like Russell Peters. His latest claim to fame is opening the show for the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in front of a crowd of 17,000 people in San Jose, California, last year.

The opening act featured Chicago-born comedian Azhar Usman. Usman obtained a law degree, but did not practice law after law school. Instead he started doing stand-up comedy and had the crowd roaring with laughter at his opening act.

Share-a-Smile Chicago truly believes that “Great things are done through a series of small things brought together.” Keeping that in mind, on a monthly basis they hold community gatherings for the seniors to socially engage, educate, foster communications with peers and simply to have fun.

Share a Smile Chicago works with Barrington Area Council of Aging and supports its Meals-on-Wheels program to help deliver hot and nutritious meals to homebound seniors. They also work in conjunction with Autumn Leaves, a senior community serving people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

One of Share a Smile Chicago’s major benefactors is Sukhdham, which simply means a place of well-being. It houses seniors who have been abandoned by their families. Seniors are housed, fed and their medical expenses are taken care of. It takes $600 to support a senior for one year at this home.

This has been a landmark year for Share a Smile Chicago. They sent a container of essential supplies and goods to flood victims of Chennai, helped victims of domestic abuse and distributed coats to the homeless in Chicago. In March, Share a Smile Chicago announced the launch of a Naperville chapter started by a group of like-minded women and applauds the Naperville community in embracing this cause with open arms.

President Vandana Walia thanked all the volunteers and core Share a Smile Chicago committee members who had worked hard to make this event happen and all the volunteers, sponsors and the Chairman Sushma Bhanot. The proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support these charity projects.

If you would like to get more information or to get involved, visit www.shareasmilechicago.org.

The evening included a beautiful Ganesh Vandana dance by Amy Verma, Devina Sharma and Ananya Sharma which was followed by a Latin dance performed by Aaron and Alissa from Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The audience enthusiastically participated in the silent auction which contained various donated gift basket items to raise funds that evening.

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