The biennial benefit supporting Children Across Borders (CAB) is gearing up for its big night on Feb. 23, 2019, at the Tampa Museum of Art. CAB is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides financial and non-financial assistance to grassroots, children-focused charities in the areas of education, health, shelter and wellness.
Tampa local Sharmila Seth, who co-founded the organization along with her husband Vivek, gave some insight on how the event was born. “The idea for Bollywood Nights began as a means to raise money for Children Across Borders’s mission and vision, and introduce to the Tampa community a unique, fun-filled, culturally distinctive event that was different from other black-tie fundraiser events, thereby fulfilling our dual mission of making a difference in the community and giving back globally.”
Cirque du Bollywood, officially described as “Bollywood glamour meets the mystique of the circus at Bollywood Nights,” looks to be a vivacious formal affair, featuring a live DJ and entertainment, signature themed cocktails and gourmet Indian cuisine.
Guests can also expect live auction items and drawings for exciting getaways. “The fabulous event yields a feel of glamour, excitement and celebration to an energetic and delighted group each year, as attendees bid on once-in-a-lifetime trips that directly benefit the organization and dance the night away under the starry sky,” Seth says.
CAB was founded in 2009 and officially launched in 2011, with the mission to positively impact disadvantaged children around the world; starting with the founders Sharmila and Vivek Seth’s own community in Tampa, and throughout their home country of India. Seth’s background in talent management and leadership training paired well with her husband’s expertise in business in starting the organization.
“My husband, Vivek and I were both born in Bangalore, India,” shares Seth. “We immigrated to the USA for further education and were fortunate enough to get good jobs and become naturalized citizens. Our common goal, always, was to give back a portion of our paycheck to underprivileged children at deserving organizations that helped pave a brighter future for them.”
CAB has since raised more than $2 million for its beneficiary organizations and programs in the U.S. and India.
“We have raised over $2 million for more than 15 organizations, in two different countries,” Seth recounts. “With virtually no overhead, nearly every dollar raised goes directly back to our beneficiary programs. We founded Children Across Borders after realizing that resources at non-profits were not effectively utilized, particularly in underdeveloped communities. We decided to build a platform to raise funds for worthy programs that align with our mission by establishing a network of partner organizations and adopting sustainable programs.”
The public can get involved with CAB by attending or becoming a sponsor of Cirque du Bollywood or the organization’s other fundraising event, the Cricket Cup, which are both held biennially in Tampa. Those interested in getting involved can also become a corporate sponsor, yearly or monthly donor, or simply volunteer at one of the events.
“What sets Children Across Borders apart is the model of sustaining specific programs within our beneficiary organizations with the highest level of accountability,” Seth says. “When you give to Children Across Borders, your dollar stretches farther and makes a broader impact.”
For more on the event or how to get involved with Children Across Borders, visit childrenacrossborders.com/bollywood-nights.
