January 26th – Jain Society of Greater Detroit’s JOY Group hosted valentine day themed event with 45 foster kids at Methodist Children’s Home Society (MCHS) in Redford, MI. The event included decorating cards, playing games, delicious lunch and goody bags. Each kid also received a handmade winter blanket. The event concluded with a tour of Abhi Shah Foundation Cottage at MCHS.
February 22nd – Jain Society of Greater Detroit’s super energized and enthusiastic JOY team hosted Valentine Day event at Vista Maria in Dearborn Heights, MI. The fun event was attended by 75+ foster children who enjoyed decorating greeting cards, delicious pizza lunch, brownies and goody bags. We are grateful to JOY team for spending their afternoon for such a worthy and humble cause.
April 23rd – During this Covid pandemic, ASF brought smiles on the faces over 200 children and resident staff at Vista Maria by delivering “World’s Biggest Pizza”, soft drinks and cookies. The dinner was graciously prepared by Toarmina’s Pizza of Canton, MI. Our goal was to spread positivity and express kindness during these uncertain times.
April 28th – To continue bringing smiles in these uncertain times, ASF delivered huge 25-inch pizzas from Toarmina’s Pizza-Canton, soft drinks, cookies and arts/craft supplies to 75 foster children and resident staff of MCHS. We love to bring smiles on kids’ faces and spread positivity, and this was our way of giving back.
May 12th – Celebrated grand opening of Stabilization Treatment Housing and Emergency Intake Wing. This rehabilitation project is designed to provide care, treatment and restoration of young girls rescued from human trafficking/sex slavery, which is a national epidemic with Michigan being one of the leading State. The new trauma center at Vista Maria (Dearborn Heights, MI) will provide adolescent female survivors of human trafficking with care, support and education so that they can overcome their traumatic past.
June 22nd – Celebrated Father’s Day weekend with 200 foster children at MCHS and Vista Maria. ASF is grateful to the generosity of Dr. Savitha Balaraman for sponsoring dinner and dessert for the children and resident staff at both organizations. We are also thankful to Dr. Anvita Saini for donating school supplies to keep the kids busy during the Covid pandemic. Thanks to Michigan Indian American Community Service (MICS) students volunteers for donating 200 face masks and care packages.
August 5th – ASF partnered with MICS and sponsored 150 brown bag lunches for City of Detroit school children. Over 50 MICS and ASF volunteers gathered at the ITC Park in Novi to assemble breakfast, lunch, dinner and school supply packages. Together we made a difference and brought smiles on the faces of the school children.
January 11th – NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY with Vista Maria to celebrate halfway point toward its Restore Capital Campaign for their new Human Trafficking Stabilization Housing & Emergency Intake Wing Project. ASF has partnered with Vista Maria in this humanitarian endeavor entailing the treatment of child survivors of human trafficking. We support the fight for human trafficking wherever it exists and declare that slavery has no place in our world, and let us finally restore to all people the most basic rights of freedom, dignity and justice.
February 24th – Celebrated Abhi Shah’s birthday with 85 foster girls at Vista Maria in Dearborn Heights, MI. Thanks to Savita Monroe for teaching breathing techniques to relieve stress & anxiety, and our dedicated volunteers for applying henna tattoos. The event concluded with delicious lunch and games.
June 19th – ASF was honored as Outstanding Child Advocate of the year by Vista Maria during their annual meeting at St. John’s Conference Center in Plymouth, MI.
June 30th – 3rd Annual 5K Charity Walkathon was huge success with 425 registered participants, 200+ volunteer hours, 950 miles walked in one hour, 150+ pounds of refreshments, 750+ photos & videos, and most importantly bringing smiles on the faces of 200 foster children & victims of human trafficking.
August 18th – Hosted a charity event at Vista Maria where over 85 foster children listened to an inspiring talk on Career in Nursing by Maureen Yaquinto, applied henna tattoos, watched a movie (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), had delicious lunch and received surprise gift.
September 2nd – Unveiled new ASF logo representing our mission of bringing hope, happiness and smiles on the faces of foster children & victims of human trafficking. The logo depicts two smiling children sheltered by a tree of love, hope and happiness.
September 28th – Hosted summer games and provided delicious lunch to over 60 foster children at Methodist Children’s Home Society in Redford, MI.
October 19th – 2nd Annual Charity Raas & Garba was another successful event with over $25,000 in donations received from our generous supporters. The event was attended by 450 friends of ASF who enjoyed music, dance, delicious dinner and presentations by our partner charities on our joint humanitarian endeavors. Events such as these helps us continue our pursuit of bringing smiles on the faces of foster children and victims of human trafficking.
November 1st – Hosted 3rd Annual Charity Show in Chicago to benefit foster children and victims of human trafficking.
December 14th – ASF was recognized by Detroit Indian Women’s Association with Community Impact Award at their Annual Gala.
ASF Charity Raas & Garba
ASF is grateful to 450 supporters for participating in Charity Raas & Garba – a fundraising event held on October 20, 2018 at The Hindu Temple Banquet Hall in Canton, MI. Without your support and contribution, it would be impossible to host an event of this magnitude. We are deeply indebted to over 50 volunteers for their time and expertise in all aspects of the event including ticket sales, decorations, delicious dinner, masala tea, food, refreshments, live music (by SAPTAK Group) and many more daunting tasks. Pictures of this event can be found here:
www.facebook.com/abhishahfoundation
2nd Annual ASF Charity Comedy Show
On August 24, 2018, ASF hosted a Charity Comedy Show in Chicago to raise funds for victims of human trafficking. This show was attended by 80 ASF supporters and 100% of the proceeds benefited the foundation. We are grateful to all the attendees for their continued support.
ASF Volunteer Event at MCHS
ASF hosted Fun-In-The-Sun / Sports Day for over 50 foster boys at Methodist Children’s Home Society (MCHS) on June 24th. The event included games, water slides, kite flying, delicious lunch and desserts. Thank you to our 15+ volunteers for taking time out of your busy schedules to bring smiles of these kids’ faces.
ASF Walkathon 2018
ASF’s 2nd Annual Walk for Kids – 5K Walkathon was held on May 20th at Shiawassee Park in Farmington, Michigan. The event was attended by 475 supporters. We are thankful to our 40+ volunteers, corporate sponsors, and local cultural, religious and business organizations for supporting this humanitarian endeavor. With your support we will continue our mission to enrich lives of foster children in southeast Michigan and bring smiles on their faces. Thank you again for your trust and support. Walkathon details and pictures can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/abhishahfoundation/
ASF Fundraiser at Michigan State University
ASF is thankful to Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students (CIUS) of Michigan State University (MSU) for donating all the funds collected during the “Satrang 2018 – Rangeela” – a popular annual cultural program held at the Wharton Center in East Lansing on April 14, 2018. ASF was picked as the charity of choice second year in row. MSU is Abhi’s alma mater and has been a great supporter of ASF.
ASF Activity Day at Vista Maria
On April 8, 2018, Novel Tea Book Club members along with ASF volunteers hosted arts, crafts and music event at Vista Maria. The event was attended by 40 foster girls and included decorating book bag/tote and Zumba dance taught by Gail Spillard, a professional fitness trainer & dance instructor. Each kid was gifted a reading book and the event concluded with delicious dinner comprising of pizza, salad, fruit juice and chocolate brownies.
ASF Celebrates Christmas at Vista Maria
ASF visited Vista Maria on December 17th to spread holiday cheer and celebrate Christmas with foster girls. The event included Christmas carols by 18 students of Jen’s Flute Studio in Troy. We are grateful to Ms. Jennifer for presenting such a wonderful musical program. Our team of 20 volunteers served hot cider, donuts and Jimmy Johns sandwiches to over 75 foster girls, who were entertained by various craft activities including making snowman with cotton balls, painting Xmas ornaments and decorating holiday cookies. Each foster kid received a winter beanie hat as a Christmas gift.
ASF Night at Little Caesars Arena
ASF partnered with the Detroit Pistons for an exciting night of Basketball at the new Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 20th. ASF team was invited on the basketball court to promote our organization and to make appeal for donation. This event was attended by about 55 ASF supporters who enjoyed an evening of great basketball between Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers. If you missed the event this year, there will be another opportunity to enjoy the Pistons game during next season.
ASF Home for Foster Children
ASF’s “dream project” came to fruition on Thanksgiving Day (November 23rd). Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the newly renovated foster home/cottage at Methodist Children’s Home Society (MCHS) was attended by over 200 friends, family and supporters.
“ASF Cottage” is now officially open to accept 10 addtional foster children who will call MCHS their home. Previously, MCHS was housing 50 boys who are survivors of child abuse and neglect. With financial support from ASF, MCHS will now be able to house 60 boys and provide support to overcome their past and enjoy a brighter future.
With generous donations from you, we are able to provide love, care and happiness to these children each and every year. Thank you for your trust and support to ASF. The event pictures can be found here: ASF MCHS Project Pictures
ASF Walkathon 2017
ASF hosted its very first Walk for Kids – 5K Walkathon on September 17th. A huge shout out to our 400 supporters for participating in this event. ASF received IRS 501(C)3 tax-exempt status in January 2017. With your trust and encouragement, we have made significant strides in enriching lives of over 200 foster children in southeast Michigan. Looking forward for your support as we march full speed ahead with this humanitarian endeavor. Thank you again for attending the walkathon. Walkathon pictures can be found here:
ASF 2017 Walkathon Pictures
ASF 2017 Walkathon Pictures – 2
ASF Charity Comedy Show
On August 4th, ASF hosted a Charity Comedy Show in Chicago to raise funds for foster children. This show was a huge success with over 100 supporters in attendance. ASF intends to continue this type of fundraising events in Chicago every year.
ASF Fun-In-The-Sun / Sports Day
ASF hosted “Fun-In-The-Sun / Sports Day” for over 100 foster children at Methodist Children’s Home Society on August 12th and Vista Maria on August 13th. We are thankful to our 52 volunteers who made these events successful. At these events, we played games, cooked barbeque lunch and presented a gift to all the foster kids.
ASF Basketball Tournament
ASF is thankful to Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students (CIUS) & Sigma Beta Rho of Michigan State University (MSU) for hosting “The Abhi Shah Basketball Tournament” on August 19th. This event was held at Novi Middle School and over 70 kids participated in the tournament.