Chad Mission charity event raises $13,000
KELSEYVILLE ? The Mission to Chad charity event raised more than $13,000 on Nov. 15 at Moore”s Family Winery. Funds will be used to send a team of four, led by Dr. Paula Dhanda, to Chad, Africa, where much-needed medical care will be provided to women and children of the area.
“The generosity of the donors was extremely gratifying,” Dr. Dhanda said. “What struck me most was people coming together to take care of people who are on the other side of the world as if we are one sisterhood.”
Dr. Dhanda will be leading a hand-picked team specializing in the type of care that is greatly needed by women in Chad. The team will travel to Adventist Health B?r? Hospital where they will perform surgical procedures and provide education and training for prevention and improved health care.
Joining Dr. Dhanda on this humanitarian mission will be Medical Assistant Carol Broughton, pre-med student Shan Dhanda and Peggy Landini, who is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in urinary incontinence. According to Dhanda, urinary incontinence is a leading factor contributing to the ostracism of Chad women from their families and communities.
Landini has been committed to improving women”s health for more than 28 years. Two years ago she implemented a treatment program for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor weakness, which has reportedly been well-received by medical staff and patients in the community.
“Peggy is going to be a big part in helping these women,” Dr. Dhanda said in introducing Landini during the fundraiser.
Saturday”s event included a silent auction that raised the majority of the funds for the evening. With an original painting by renowned Lake County artist John Clarke fetching a price of $2800 in a live auction bid, the total for the night reached more than $13,000.
Clarke said he had painted the piece specifically for the event with an intention to illustrate the emotion of the situation in Chad. “I wanted the painting to speak to mission”s statement,” he said.
The painting depicts a woman and child turned away from the light and the future. A tree, representing hope, stands behind the pair. “I think this is the way Paula feels about this mission,” he said. “She wants to see these women”s lives changed to happiness with the help of this team.”
A few of the top bids of event, which was attended by 110 people, included $275 for a day on the water bass fishing with Siege Taylor.
A picnic basket with a case of Lake County wines contributed by the Lake County Winegrape Commission went for $210. Dunn Vineyard 2005 Cabernet and Karl Lawrence 2006 Cabernet compliments of Bryan Henry, MD fetched $250.
The second highest bid of the night took a one week vacation trip to Puerto Vallarta. The prize, contributed by James and Stacey Huffman, went for $1000.
“This is going to be life-changing for these women. The money that we raised will go so far in helping these women and children of Chad,” Dr. Dhanda said. “The things we take for granted are so lacking in Chad. Ten dollars will pay for the fuel to turn on the generator for a surgery. Twenty dollars will pay for medication that could save a baby”s life and $50 to $100 will pay for a life-saving operation.”
Saturday”s event included musical entertainment by “The Whistler” Diego Jameau. It also included a moving video presentation illustrating the dire situation in Tchad, Africa.
The Mission to Chad is scheduled to depart mid-March. For more information regarding how to contribute to the mission, please call 279-8733.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
