September 15, 2005

The spirit of giving

Community event raises $31,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Makhan Bains, left, of Raja Sweet and Katering donated Indian food for 250 people, including Mohinder S. Mann, left, Vice-Mayor Cindy Chavez, and Assemblyman Joe Coto. The Tandoor Restaurant on Blossom Hill also provided enough to feed 250 more. Photos by Kymberli Brady.

MCs Rigo Chacon and Annie Dandavati led the way during the three-hour event that raised $31,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims, including $10,000 from Chacon’s foundation, Abrazos and Books and an additional $1,000 on behalf of Chacon and his wife Lucy.

Assistant Rev. Jeff Moore from Emmanuel Baptist Church, Rabbi Pressman, and Rev. Deacon Sal Alvarez attended the event touted as “Americans helping Americans,” regardless of color or faith.

On Sunday, a band played light tunes while guests made their way toward the sound of a choir belting out songs of praise that soon filled the room with a spirited energy and a contagious desire to give.

More than 500 people heard the call and attended the benefit on Sunday at the Jacinto Tony Siquig Northside Community Center, hosted by director Ben Manor, TV personality Rigo Chacon, and organizers Mohinder Mann, an Almaden resident, and Annie Dandavati—a three-hour event that raised $31,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Although the impetus was clear—to spawn a grass-roots effort and raise as much money as possible—a community of “Americans helping Americans” focused on getting the funds straight to those in need. The message was clear, bring your checkbook and give as much or as little as you can, but leave your bias at home.

The Coalition for Katrina Disaster Relief continued to gain support after a press conference last week and has broad following from organizations such as NAACP, 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley, 100 Black Women of Silicon Valley, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, The Center for Training & Careers, Volunteer Center Silicon Valley, and the Indigenous People Council, as well as priests, ministers, rabbis and elected officials.

It made for an afternoon where community members rubbed shoulders with political representatives, shared feelings that often accompany natural disasters, and dined on ethnic food donated by local merchants.

“It’s so inspiring to see such a diverse crowd in here,” said Congress-woman Zoe Lofgren. “They’re just loving and helping their fellow citizens.”

According to Mann, an attorney, $25,000 of the money raised will be turned over to the Silicon Valley Chapter of 100 Black Men, and the remaining $6,000 to the Salvation Army. He says checks are continuing to come in and as long as they do, he’ll get them where they need to go.

Congressional representatives Mike Honda and Zoe Lofgren attended the event, along with Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, Vice-Mayor Cindy Chavez, City Councilmembers Ken Yeager, Linda LeZotte, Dave Cortese, and Nora Compos, Judge Ron DelPozo, Supervisor Jim Beall, and Santa Clara Valley Water District Director Dick Santos, among others.

“It was encouraging to see our community come together in such a short time to help those in need,” said Mann. “The Coalition will continue to encourage others to give to the charities of their choice.”

For more information on contributing to either Sunday’s event, call (408) 287-1600 or (408) 282-1447. Donations, payable to 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley or Salvation Army, can also be mailed to Mohinder S. Mann 1027 W. Taylor St., San Jose, CA 95126.