By Anna M. Cleary
The Phoenix Club in Anaheim was the perfect place to celebrate the Los Alamitos based nonprofit’s 2Oth Anniversary. With its nostalgic look coupled with a live orchestra and swing band singers, the place was swinging.
One, then two by two they came all dressed to the the “nines” everyone participated in the suggested “Gatsby Look” and we celebrated in “Gala Style. “ It was the first time I ever saw Grateful Hearts in lights, but there it was across a velvet blue curtain for all to see. Then the enchanting night began.
Although the staff and volunteers had everything we could think of in place, nothing could have prepared us for what was about to happen. As Raji Ahsan, the evening’s emcee took center stage to start the silent auction; he could feel the hesitation of the crowd.
Raji then shared a personal story of how when he was a little boy he and his mother were recipients of the care and provision of Grateful Hearts! His powerful story of giving back set the tone for the remainder of the evening as the bidding began.
“For all the Little Raji’s out there,” he said, and with that, the bidding picked up! Another voice echoed, “if a widow can give then anyone can give.” It was a spectacular evening!
Raji is now living in New York, a graduate of NYU and living his dream as a professional actor, which proves those in need have dreams and we can help them come true!
Our message is not an ordinary one; it is an extraordinary one. The synergy of the message shared by Raji was eye opening.
Blair Pietrini, our founder, came and culminated the evening by saying we have the second highest rate of food security in Orange County! She’s went on to share the plight of the poor and the journey Grateful Hearts has taken alongside as a provider and strong advocate for the homeless and the hurting.
She also shared where it is written that it will be the poor that will mend the bridges and rebuild the city. Imagine that!! Her words were filled with compassion and precision. She brought the house down with an address for the poor unlike any other. I know I will never forget her delivery of what I believe the next level of helping the poor and homeless will be. This is what we do and it is who we are down to the bone and marrow.
Grateful Hearts is looking not only to serve ,but to become a leading learning center to become the very people needed in the city. Picture it because when it is in Blair Pietrini’s ‘grateful heart,’ it will happen!
Courtesy photo