The Giving Back Foundation Annual Gala Thursday October 8th 2015 at The Carlyle Hotel NYC

My mom runs an organization she started called The Giving Back Foundation, and asked me to MC her annual Giving Back Foundation Gala on October 8th 2015 at The Carlyle Hotel in NYC. The evening was a resounding success and we want to thank everyone who purchased tickets and donated to The Giving Back Foundation!

We all came together to honor and support The Giving Back Foundation, its donors and beneficiaries. Reverend Timothy Shaw started off the night with a beautiful blessing via Skype all the way from India. He spoke about the joy of giving as well receiving and said the school and the children deeply appreciated all the help from the Giving Back Foundation! His blessing and speech was simply marvelous.

We then screened the PBS episode where the Giving Back Foundation was featured. It was very special indeed.

Two amazing people were honored for their work and for their spirit of Giving Back. The first was Hollywood Actor and Director Phylicia Rashad and the second was Suhel Seth. My sister, Kanika Gandhi, introduced Phylicia Rashad and gave her the award. Phylicia’s comments were stellar and she delighted everyone present in the room. My brother, Kabir Gandhi, introduced Suhel Seth and presented him with the The Giving Back Award. Suhel spoke about the chaos in the world and applauded organizations like The Giving Back Foundation that stood upright and helped the children who would otherwise be left on the streets to the devices of others!

Between the dancing and food everyone had an amazing time. We had a terrific silent auction where all proceeds also went to The Giving Back Foundation. The auction was a great success with happy donators and happy winners! We are so thankful for those that chose to donate their hard work in support of The Giving Back Foundation. Juan Bernal, Samia Kamar, Paris Jadu, Coco and MarieBelle Lieberman Chocolates, Keith Lloyd Designers. Kamlesh and Nimmi Mehta – our media sponsors, Ayesha Hakki and The Giving Back Team Jeffrey Fass, John Keillor Irving and Rebecca Stewart.

DJ Logic kept the energy powerful and lively all night for our wonderful supporters. Luis Ortiz of Million Dollar Listing came in support of Meera Gandhi and the foundation. Indian Ambassador Mulay and Janet League Katzen, Lucia Wong Gordon, HR Shah, Jaswant Lalwani, JJ Mc Kay from Seattle, Barbara Robinson, Rob Shmalo, Dr. Sheryl Clark, Andrew Davis, Kathryn Tickett, Suhel Seth, Phylicia Rashad and Meera Gandhi all walked the red carpet to show their support for The Giving Back Foundation.

We had an excellent outcome and It was a beautiful night full of smiles and laughter that we will surely not forget any time soon. We could not be more grateful to all of you who help our cause. The Giving Back Foundation will always be there with its three-prong mission. First, Transformational Education, Second, Providing and sponsoring platforms for debate and dialog for young people to move the social agenda forward and third, our new addition “Mindfulness and yoga camps” for all which will begin in July 2016. This is our threefold mission and we are continuing forward with tremendous vigor and drive. Finally and most importantly we want to thank all of you for a MOST memorable night!

Atmosphere== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Kabir Gandhi, Kiran Gandhi, Kanika Gandhi== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Suhel Seth, Kabir Gandhi== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Phylicia Rashad, Kanika Gandhi== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Kiran Gandhi== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Meera Gandhi== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==

Sheryl Clark M.D., Oluwabukola Becky Akinyode, Sumi Lalwani, Sonya Lalwani== Meera Gandhi’s Giving Back Foundation NNYAL Gala Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Suhel Seth== The Carlyle Hotel, NYC== October 8, 2015== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo – Sean Zanni/PatrickMcMullan.com== ==