US firm raises USD 51,000 in a day for Mumbai terror victims

A US-based firm, working for the victims of Mumbai terror attacks, has collected more than USD 51,000 in a day in a fund raiser event organised here, proceeds of which will be handed over to an American Foundation, already working in India for the cause.

San Francisco based Charities Lodging Group, a national hotel investment and advisory firm, working for the victims and engaged in creating awareness about the attacks, last night organised a fund raising function, which was attended by more than 500 people.

This was the one of the three fund-raisers organised by the Group, which is spearheading industry-wide effort to raise more and more funds for the terror victims. The other two were in San Francisco and Chicago.

The figure of total donations collected so far was not immediately available.
    
The donations collected will be handed over to non profit American Indian Foundation (AIF) which is already working in India. The foundation will send the funds collected to Taj Public Service Welfare Trust, the Oberoi Care Fund, the Bombay
Community Trust and other Indian charities and organisations providing direct and immediate relief to the victims.
    
Organisers said that the some people, who did not attend the fund raiser, are contributing directly to AIF.
    
"The attacks were a tragedy not only for India but also for the country's giant tourism industry, which provides the livelihood for millions of residents," said Rob Kline, president of Chartres Lodging.
    
"Since the terrorists' intentionally targeted Mumbai tourist locations, those of us in the US hospitality industry wanted to reach out to our counterparts in India that are the most in need of relief, including hotel, police, fire and security employees and their families."

The participating Chartres Lodging hotels and restaurants include the Radisson Lexington Hotel in New York, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco, and the Allerton Hotel Chicago.
    
Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants will be hosting a related programme entitled "Dollar a Night," in which it will donate
USD 1 for every occupied room on Jan 29 at all 42 Kimpton-managed hotels in the US and Canada, while Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels and Highgate Hotels will be contributing to the cause in various ways.

The Allerton Hotel's sister hotels in Chicago, the Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile and the Inn of Chicago Magnificent Mile, will be donating proceeds from their Jan 29 happy hours.

Also supporting the event through donations in each city are Cornell University alumni, Kuwait Airways, Continental Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways, Qatar Air and Kingfisher Airlines, among others.
    
"Certainly, Chartres Lodging is but one player in this increasingly, industry-wide effort," Kline added. "We've been overwhelmed by the response from our friends in the industry, as well as local businesses, dignitaries, entertainers and
India-based businesses in each city."

In support of this effort, AIF has reduced its administrative fee to just 2 per cent of donated funds, significantly lower than industry standards.