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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                   MAY 08, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 34

               Eye Foundation of America Marks 50 Years

                    of Service with Landmark Charity Gala

                       The charity gala raised over $100,000 with 4x Impact for Children in Need

            OUR BUREAU                                                                                            by Board Member Dr. Srinu Maddu-
                                                                                                                  la—resulting in a remarkable fourfold
            Somerset, NJ
                                                                                                                  increase in total funds generated.
                  ye Foundation of America                                                                            “This milestone is not just about
                  (EFA) proudly celebrated its                                                                    looking back at 50 years of service, but
            E50th year of dedicated service to                                                                    about accelerating our mission for the
            children with a highly successful chari-                                                              future,” said Dr Leela V Raju Presi-
            ty gala fundraiser recently held at The                                                               dent EFA. “The overwhelming support
            Imperia by Dhaba in New Jersey. The                                                                   we witnessed reflects a shared belief in
            milestone event brought together more                                                                 creating  lasting  change  for  children.”
            than 200 attendees, including friends,                                                                    Proceeds from the gala will di-
            supporters, donors,  board members,                                                                   rectly support two key initiatives in
            and partners, in a powerful evening of                                                                India: the development of the new
            purpose, generosity, and celebration.                                                                 Goutami Building and the expansion
                Led by Board Members Sam                                                                          of the ROP (Retinopathy of Prema-
            Maddali and Sekhar Vemparala, the                                                                     turity) program. Both initiatives are
            gala highlighted five decades of EFA’s                                                                critical to advancing healthcare access
            commitment to transforming young                                                                      and improving outcomes for vulnera-
            lives. The evening featured a vibrant                                                                 ble children.
            live band performance that energized                                                                      As EFA enters its next chapter, the
            the audience and underscored the spir-                                                                organization remains steadfast in its vi-
            it of unity behind the cause.                                                                         sion—empowering children through
                The event raised over $100,000,   tive  that  amplified  its  impact.  Every   by EFA Founder and President, Dr.   sustainable programs, compassionate
            with an extraordinary matching initia-  dollar  contributed  was  first  matched   V.K. Raju, and then further matched   care, and global community support.

             Brookdale Community College and Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy

                                Partner to Expand Student Access to Healthcare

            OUR BUREAU                        are not only supporting their academ-  ditions such as diabetes, heart disease,   grow, plans include expanding student
                                              ic success, but we are strengthening   and mental health challenges, while   engagement through internships, ed-
            Lincroft, NJ
                                              the health and well-being of our en-  also offering vaccinations and other   ucational programming, and hands-
                  rookdale Community Col-     tire community.”                  essential services. Shah, who has been   on experiences within the pharmacy
                  lege has announced a growing    Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy,   named among the 50 Most Influential   setting. These opportunities will allow
            Bpartnership with Ritesh Shah     the first charitable pharmacy in New   People in Pharmacy in 2026, is wide-  students to gain real-world health-
            Charitable Pharmacy, a collaboration   Jersey, was established in 2022 to close   ly recognized for his leadership and   care experience while contributing to
            rooted in a shared commitment to   gaps in the healthcare system by pro-  commitment to equitable healthcare   meaningful community service.
            improving access to healthcare while   viding free, life-saving medications to   access and medication affordability.   For the pharmacy, the partner-
            enhancing educational opportunities   underserved populations. The mission   He is also the author of Pills to Pur-  ship provides valuable insight into the
            for students.                     was deeply personal. In 2021, found-  pose: A True Story of a Pharmacist.  needs of Brookdale’s diverse student
                The partnership was established   er Ritesh Shah lost his sister, Rena, a   Through the partnership, Brook-  population and strengthens its ability
            through a mutual interest in advanc-  fellow pharmacist, to COVID-19. She   dale  students  will  benefit  from  im-  to tailor services accordingly. It also
            ing community health and education,   had struggled to access necessary med-  proved access to medications, med-  offers a direct connection to the next
            with both organizations recognizing   ical care and medications during the   ical supplies, and support services   generation of healthcare profession-
            the opportunity to better support   pandemic while managing diabetes.   designed to reduce barriers to care.   als and community leaders.
            Brookdale’s student population. With   Inspired by her lifelong dream of help-  This initiative is particularly impactful   “This collaboration strengthens
            the support of Brookdale President   ing underserved patients, Shah made   for students managing chronic condi-  both education and healthcare deliv-
            David M. Stout, Ph.D., the relation-  a promise to build a pharmacy in her   tions or navigating financial challeng-  ery by connecting learning with direct
            ship has evolved into a meaningful col-  honor, ensuring others would not face   es, allowing them to focus more fully   community impact,” Shah said.
            laboration  focused  on  access,  learn-  the same barriers to care.  on their academic success.          Ritesh Shah and his wife, Asha
            ing, and long-term community impact.  Founded on that promise, the      “By reducing barriers to care, stu-  Shah, will be honored at this year’s
                “Partnerships like this reflect the   pharmacy operates without a cash reg-  dents can focus on their studies with   Brookdale Community College Foun-
            very  best  of  our  mission  in  action,”   ister, serving individuals at or below   one less concern during their college   dation Scholarship Bash for their com-
            Stout said, “By connecting our stu-  300 percent of the federal poverty lev-  experience,” said Shah.  mitment to supporting students and
            dents with critical healthcare resourc-  el. Since its founding, it has filled more   The  collaboration  also  creates   the broader community, an acknowl-
            es  while  also  creating meaningful,   than $2 million worth of prescriptions,   opportunities for experiential learn-  edgment  that  reflects  the  strength
            real-world learning opportunities, we   supporting patients with chronic con-  ing. As the partnership continues to   and promise of this collaboration.

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