Atlanta Fundraiser “Laughter Matters” Raises $200,000 for Children’s Education in India
Leap to Shine’s inaugural fundraising gala, Laughter Matters – A Standup for a Cause, held on November 9 at Phase Events in Alpharetta, raised $200,000 to support digital education initiatives for underserved children across India. The sold-out event blended comedy, community leadership, and philanthropy, showcasing an innovative format where business and community leaders performed stand-up comedy after training with professionals. The evening was hosted by comedian, writer, and actor Zain Sharif, with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Adam Graves serving as Guest of Honor.
“This night proved that when we combine purpose with joy, incredible things happen,” said Durgesh Das, Chairman of Leap to Shine. “These funds will directly provide tablets, laptops, and digital learning tools to hundreds of children who deserve every opportunity to shine.”
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Executive Comedians Take the Stage
Eleven executive participants stepped outside their comfort zones to perform stand-up comedy:
- Dr. Aashish Patel, Emergency Medicine Physician
- Ashwin Patel, Financial Advisor, AB Patel Wealth Management
- Jasen Hayes, Board Advisor, Inspiredu
- Kanchana Raman, Founder & CEO, Avion Networks
- Mohan Lakshminarayan, Director, Leading Telecom Supplier
- Steven White, Innovation Strategist, U.S. Space Command
- Dr. Veena Bhat, Owner, North Fulton Smiles
- Murli Reddy, President & CEO, Charter Global
- Neelam Kamdar, Director, Microsoft
- Natasha Malhotra Bagchi, Consumer Marketing Consultant
- Rajiv Garg, Associate Professor, Emory University
Leadership Reflects on Impact
“Seeing our community come together with such enthusiasm and generosity reminds us why we started this journey,” said Keyur Shah, Co-Founder of Leap to Shine.
Co-Founder Vindali Vartak added, “The energy in the room was electric. Our participants showed incredible courage, and our supporters showed incredible heart. Together, we’re creating pathways to education that will change lives for generations to come.”
Inspiring Message from Chef Vikas Khanna
A special highlight was a heartfelt video message from Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna, a steadfast supporter of Leap to Shine. Reflecting on his childhood in Amritsar, he shared, “I often think back to my own life and childhood . . . growing up with very little resources at home, but there were a lot of dreams, a lot of support, a lot of belief in those dreams.”
Khanna noted that he lacked opportunities but possessed determination, love, and the belief that “kindness can open doors that talent alone cannot.” He emphasized that “education and skills are the true currencies of change,” lifting not only individuals but entire generations. Praising the organization’s efficiency, he highlighted that 95 cents of every donated dollar directly supports children’s programs.
“Leap to Shine isn’t just charity,” Khanna concluded. “It’s dignity, it’s empowerment, and it’s a movement that says to every child: you matter, your dreams deserve a chance.”
Live Auction and Red Carpet Glamour
Neha Negandhi, Founder of Storytellers Table, conducted a spirited live auction and hosted red carpet interviews. Premium auction packages included:
- An exclusive Airbnb package donated by Moss and Moonlight
- A luxury travel package from Tours Limited
- Premium dining experiences from Bungalow, including meet-and-greet opportunities at Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna’s NYC restaurant
Gratitude for Making the Evening Possible
Leap to Shine extended gratitude to sponsors and community members whose support made the evening possible. ensured that 100% of donations went directly to program delivery.
Beacon of Hope Award Honors Community Champion
Leap to Shine presented its inaugural Beacon of Hope Award to Aparna Bhattacharyya, Executive Director of Raksha, honoring her more than two decades of service supporting survivors of violence. “Her efforts have brought light into countless lives,” said Co-Founder Vindali Vartak, presenting the award.
The event celebrated outstanding volunteer contributions:
Infinite Shine Award
- Prasanth Masina – steady commitment, teamwork, leadership
- Rohit Sawant – unwavering commitment and collaboration
Shining Star Award
- Niraj Sharma – artistic talent and meaningful progress in one year
Youth Shining Star Award
- Amishi Jain – dedication to mentoring and teaching English
Guiding Light Award
- Gauri Vyawahare – exceptional volunteer leadership
- Reetika Datta – compassionate leadership and central role in event planning
Dozens of volunteers balanced full-time jobs and families to execute every detail of the event. Special acknowledgments went to: Mownika, Upasana, Karishma, Meenal, Maaz, Harshali, Arvind, Akansha, Archit, Neha, Mini, Saachi, Siddhanth, Dina, Arin, Ashwin, Amit, Bhawna, Venkat, Anka, Kunal, Summer, Abhi, Jackie, and Shabri.
“Every detail—from the venue to the theme, table settings, AV, and logistics—was powered by passion and love,” said Gauri Vyawahare and Reetika Datta, Executive Directors of Leap to Shine Atlanta Community.
Musical Celebration
The evening featured the world debut of the Leap to Shine anthem, performed by Rythmspace, with lyrics and music by Niraj Sharma and guidance from renowned musician Preeti Uttam.
Performers included:
- Devender Pal Singh, Male Vocalist
- Aarohi Soodan, Female Vocalist
- Amol Khanapurkar, Tabla
- Gurinder Negi, Guitar
- Sai Ravisankar, Flute
The performance brought attendees to their feet.
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