In the true spirit of giving and
sharing, Indo-Americans donated blood at M. D. Anderson
on September 15, 2001. The Indo-American Chamber
of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) sponsored this
blood drive with generous contributions from the
Indo-American Charity foundation and Dishaka Imports
Inc. There was overwhelming response from the
community and close to forty units were collected in a
few short hours. Those who did not meet the
eligibility requirements showed their support by
donating money to I-FOCUS (Indians for our country
United States). The goal of I-Focus is to collect
$500,000 by next month to help with the recovery effort
of the WTC and the Pentagon bombing. IACCGH has
contacted most Indo-American Organizations of Greater
Houston to work in unison to collectively raise funds
for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington, DC. The total amount collected will be
announced on October 11, 2001.
We are encouraging all people of
Indian origin and friends to give generously to any
organizations of their choice. Please, send your checks
to the IACCGH office with the message on your check as
I-FOCUS. IACCGH will hand over these checks collectively
on Oct. 11, 2001 along with all other funds collected by
other organizations.
The Indo-American Charity foundation
is hosting its Gala night on Saturday the 22nd and part
of the proceeds will be part of the I-Focus
contribution. Hari Dayal, President of Indo-American
Association, has declared that all proceeds collected at
their memorial concert on October 06, 2001, will be
given as funds for I-FOCUS.
Indo-American Chambers of Commerce in
Atlanta, Tampa and Dallas have also been contacted to
have similar I-FOCUS drive in their community and meet
their individual targets. Indo-American students
from the University of Houston and the Rice University
came on short notice to volunteer their time, donate
blood and show support for those affected by the inhuman
act of terrorism. The students are also raising money on
campus to contribute to the American Red Cross.
The words most oft spoken were that
"Terrorism should not be condoned or tolerated
anywhere". In this event covered by local
television stations (Channel 13 and FOX-TV), people of
all faiths - Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Muslims and
Christians - came to donate blood and express their
sympathy for those affected by the dastardly act of
cowardice. Misguided people have been targeting
Sikhs and other people of Indian origin because of their
different appearance or due to their distinctive turbans
and beards, which their religion dictates. Sikhs
in fact follow the religious teaching of Guru Nanak of
Northern India and are a generous hard working
community. IACCGH encourages all to speak out against
this mindless violence by ignorant individuals or
sections of this great nation. Write to your law-makers,
speak in churches and on any public forum. Inform
everyone you know via E-mail of the efforts of the
Indo-American Community.
Indo-Americans everywhere are rallying to help in any
way they can. There were special prayer meetings
held at temples and other places of worship. In
this hour of need all citizens, regardless of origin or
religion, stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow
countrymen to lend support.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
IACCGH Blood Drive
