A major portion of the proceedings will go towards the construction of afree medical clinic attached to the orphanage. Helped by Anil Lal and otherlocal Indian American activists, Sabharwal used all her charm and wiles tocoax the maximum amount of donations and pledges from the 200-strong crowd."You chose to spend `chhoti' Diwali with us," she told the audience. "Thisgives the event a special significance." Out of more than $ 24,000 indonations and pledges collected, only $ 2,300 went to expenses, Sabharwaltold the California newspaper India-West.

Taj Palace, the San Jose-based caterers, gave the group a hefty discount anddeejays Lal Toofan performed for free, she said. The evening's entertainmentincluded a Bharatanatyam performance by Sonia Sabharwal, Nilima's15-year-old daughter, and 14-year-old Sheena Naidu.

Sabharwal narrated a slide show illustrating the fruits of the local funddrive over the past year: Home of Hope's purchase of a van, an updated andrestocked kitchen and badly-needed improvements to the restroom facilities.Hope of Hope supporter Mark Scambati showed a video he had produced for theoccasion. The video, which blended images of Home of Hope's children with an unapologetically Christian message, underscored the Home of Hope'span-religious theme: all children are welcome, without regard to religion,race or caste.

Part of the $22,000 includes the donations of 51 new sponsors. At $10 permonth ($120 per year), Bay Area families can support one Home of Hope childfor a year. Out of the total of 120 students now living in the orphanage, 85have Bay Area sponsors, said Sabharwal. The group is still activelyrecruiting sponsors for the remaining 35, she added.

Attorney David Miller donated $900 worth of estate planning services to thecharity as well, Sabharwal said. In return for his services, interestedclients will write a check to Home of Hope instead of to Miller, sheexplained. Once the group reaches their donation target of $25,000, theyintend to start the search for another worthy cause in India. Home of Hopeis a registered non-profit organisation and contributions aretax-deductible.

-- India Abroad News Service