Niwot realtor organizes fundraiser for India

India has been reeling from the effects of COVID-19, with more than 338,000 deaths and nearly 28.5 million cases as of June 1. Although the country is on the other side of the world, some people in the community refuse to accept that living so far away means they're powerless to help.

Some Niwot community members have organized a trivia and curry night fundraiser for India at Niwot Wheel Works, 101 2nd Avenue in Niwot, on Monday, June 14. Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to support projectc.u.r.e, a Colorado-based nonprofit that is currently working to procure and ship 200,000 hospital beds and other medical supplies to be used for patients in India.

Kamla Chopra is a Realtor/Broker Associate for Colorado Landmark Realtors, a member of the Rotary Club of Niwot, and one of the fundraiser's organizers. "Everyone has been watching the news and knows something about what is happening there," she said. "I wanted to do something to try to make a difference."

Chopra has family in India and closely follows what's happening there. "I have been talking to my family on a daily basis," she said. "Luckily, they are well and I'm grateful for that, but I feel like I need to do more. There's something we can do, at least financially, helping along with other charities that are working to support others in need. One of those is projectc.u.r.e, who I first learned about through the Rotary Club."

The fundraiser came together quickly once Chopra began working with fellow realtor Debra Fowler of DRF Realty, Colorado Landmark Realtors, and vice-president of the Niwot Business Association. "It's easy to feel helpless, but this is something you can do to make a difference," Fowler said.

Those who participate in the fundraiser will be doing their part to support those in India. They will also be treated to a full Indian Buffet with dessert, and an India-themed trivia contest with prizes, and a silent auction with prizes generously donated by many Niwot businesses.

Fowler shared that the fundraiser's goal was $5,000 to support project c.u.r.e., and that the group was very appreciative of the community support they've received so far.

Eric Bergeson, owner of Niwot Wheel Works and president of the Niwot Business Association, is donating the space and service staff. The food, served buffet-style, will be catered at no charge by Meena's Kitchen in Broomfield. Dessert is being provided by local baker Joanne's Petit Sweets. Both Fowler and Chopra are grateful to all who were helping as well as to the Niwot businesses who donated prizes.

Bergeson is happy to do his part as a piece of the community effort. "I think it may have been [last month's] Niwot Around the World Day that sparked the idea in Kamla for whom the suffering in India is clearly top of mind," he said. "We're excited to participate. Some might say that the impact of a fundraiser like this will be a drop in the ocean, but some drops become a deluge as events like this do as much for donors as recipients."

Tickets for the fundraiser are $45 a person and include dinner, dessert, trivia, and access to the silent auction. They're available through an Eventbrite link at https://bit.ly/3gb9vtn. For questions or for ways to donate if you're unable to attend, contact Chopra at 303-651-5428 or Fowler at 720-378-1217.