Monmouth & Ocean County AAPI (MOCAAPI) held a charity gala to raise money for mental health and addiction. The event took place March 18, 2023, at Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Around 200 people attended the ticketed event, and according to President of MOCAAPI, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, about $100,000 was raised, the main beneficiaries being Bright Harbor Healthcare of Ocean County, and Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. Dr. Kumar also praised the work of his team, Vice President Dr. Rekha Gohel, Secretary Dr. Hemangini Shah, and Treasurer Dr. Apurv Agrawal.
Dr. Kirit Pandya was presented a plaque recognizing his dedication and contributions to MOCAAPI and the community in general. MOCAAPI’s past presidents were also recognized during the event.
Among the mains guests at the charity gala were Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, psychiatrist Dr. Rakesh Ranjan, keynote speaker; Sparsh Shah, 19-year-old prodigy, singer, songwriter, rapper, inspirational speaker, philanthropist and Guinness World Records holder (Sparshshah.com); Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media/ITV Gold, New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal from Monmouth County, among others.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter congratulating to MOCAAPI, praising the organization for its good works, as did Rep. Krishnamoorthi, who also spoke at the event.
On the sidelines of the event many leaders of the national AAPI and past-presidents of MOCAAPI spoke to ITV Gold. They included AAPI national President Ravi Kolli, Treasurer Dr. Sumul Rawal, Dr. Avinash Gupta, Dr. Krishan Kumar, and Dr. Sudhir Parikh, senior advisor to AAPI, praising MOCAAPI as a vibrant organization and its activities over the years. Dr. Kolli also invited everyone to come to the upcoming national AAPI convention in Philadelphia July 6-9.
Dr. Parikh called it a pleasure to be at the MOCAAPI charity event, describing the organization as one of the ‘most active’ chapters of AAPI. “Its most important activity is philanthropy,” he said, adding that Parikh Worldwide Media was always there to support such initiatives.
A social hour was followed by the national anthem, and a warm welcome from MOCAAPI Vice President Dr. Gohel and Secretary Dr. Shah.
MOCAAPI President Dr. Kumar welcomed guests and recalled the history of the organization since its inception in 2003, and its past fundraisers where $500,000 had been raised and donated to various organizations.
Rep. Krishnamoorth in his speech, applauded organizers of the MOCAAPI convention and charity gala. “What MOCAAPI does every day is so important. I want to salute you for who you are and your immigrant roots.” He went on to describe his life journey and the effect of the 1973 recession on his parents. “Thanks to the support of people like you, I am now a 4th-term member of Congress,” he added.
The Rutgers University RAGA Dance group performed vigorous dances during and at the conclusion of the event.
Established by just a few physicians in 2003, MOCAAPI today has more than 400 physicians as members, who live with their families in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, its website says.
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