The Human Development Foundation of North America’s Chicago Chapter hosted its most successful event to date on May 6th, 2006, with more than 600 attendees who helped raise over $320,000 for HDF’s humanitarian programs.

“We in the Chicago Chapter are so proud,” said Dr. Mussarrat Arshad, president of the Chicago Chapter. “We put out a call to action to the community, and they responded like never before—it’s amazing!”

The event was so hotly anticipated, all 600 tickets had sold out weeks ahead of time, and people continued calling up to the day of the event, hoping for an opportunity to snare a last-minute ticket.

“This is really a testament to the level of commitment of everyone in the Chicago community,” said Dr. M. Khalid Riaz, Co-Chair of HDF, “Certainly for the Chicago Chapter for organizing such a wonderful event, but, just as importantly, all of the people in the community who have showed their support for HDF’s programs so strongly.”

The evening was planned down to the smallest detail, and when all of the guests were seated, the program began with a welcome from Arshia Hasnain, who acted as MC of the event. After some additional welcoming remarks from Dr. Arshad, the Counsul General of Chicago, Mr. Aitzaz Ahmed graciously spoke about the great work HDF does, and how glad he was to be able to work with the organization.

The spotlight then turned to providing a report on some of HDF’s activities, which was co-presented by Dr. Riaz and Dr. Mehmood Khan, a senior vice-president at Takeda Pharmaceutical and HDF Board member. First, a short video presentation highlighting the work HDF has done in helping an earthquake-ravaged area in the Kashmir mountain region was shown.

Then, both Dr. Riaz and Dr. Khan shared some very moving personal stories of individuals who have been helped through HDF’s programs, particularly spotlighting children who overcame great obstacles attempting to receive a solid education.

As the fundraising portion of the evening got underway, Dr. Khan produced a bat that his wife, Shaida Khan had somehow managed to get signed by both the Pakistani cricket team on one side, and the Indian team on the other! The spirited bidding on this item alone ended at over $25,000, and set the tone for a very successful and heartfelt outpouring of support from the members of the community who had gathered there.

But, there was still more in store. The Pakistani rock band Strings, a true worldwide sensation, with songs on MTV Asia and in the Spiderman 2 soundtrack (Indian Release) took the stage to play for the attendees. While the music was loud and sometimes raucous, even the thirtysomething and older members of the crowd seemed to heartily enjoy the sounds.

“It was a great event, and we thank everyone who supported it,” said Dr. Arshad, “but the real work is what HDF is doing in Pakistan every hour of every day, and all of us here in Chicago are humbled and honored to be able to help support that work.”

Also read Urdu Times Report on HDF Chicago's Fundraising Dinner