Past Events
The 6th Annual Hope Fundraising Gala
Hope for Iraqi Christians hosted a very special evening on Friday, October 14th, 2022 intended to heighten public awareness, and raise much needed funding to help the most vulnerable individuals and families who are in most need in Northern Iraq. This year we were hosted at St Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Church Hall, where we held another sold-out event of 550 guests!
Our Master of Ceremonies, Afaf Konja, Global Communications Specialist and former United Nations Spokesperson, opened the evening by welcoming guests, including Chaldean Catholic Bishops, local priests, as well as key dignitaries.
Our first speaker, Dr John Kasawa, a local family physician and one of the founders of Hope for Iraqi Christians, gave an update on the Shipment of Hope program, whereby Hope works with the US military and partner, Roads of Success, a non-profit organization. Dr. Kasawa also informed guests that Hope for Iraqi Christians was featured in the monthly Knights of Columbus magazine, Columbia. Thanks to Columbia magazine, donors from around the country started donating, amounting to nearly $1,000 per month recurring donations.
Local guest speaker, Father Simon Eshaki, shared his personal experience during his visit to Iraq in 2019. He expressed his concern for the magnitude of suffering, asking donors to not lose sight of their needs, while living our lives of comfort. He reminded us that as Christians, we have responsibilities that include prayer, fasting as well as alms-giving, asking all to open their hearts to giving and blessed all the guests.
Dr. Noori Barka, a founder of Hope for Iraqi Christians, touted all donors, announcing that over the last 8 years we were able to raise over $2.7M and adopt nearly 350 families! He explained the Adopt a Needy Family program, its simplicity and transparency and acknowledged the effectiveness of the Program’s support system led by the diocese in Erbil, Iraq, noting that the money is delivered by hand by to the neediest families by committee members, who then sign receipt of delivery.
Special Guest Speaker, Abouna Karam Shamasha, who came from Telskuf, delivered an impassioned yet calm speech, where he explained the current practical situation in the villages. He clearly enumerated the expenses of the families and gave statistics. He informed listeners that just over 10,000 families across our villages and cities. Whereby, nearly 25 percent fall within the very poor category. He detailed with specific examples how much basic costs are for fundamentals for living, like kerosene, electricity, food, and other basic necessities. He gave an example of a pregnant woman who was unable to afford transport to neighboring cities, let alone get the medical attention she needs for herself and unborn child. He went on to explain that in such cases, the Church is asked to help. The Church then prioritizes these special cases. Father Shamasha noted that the church has a spiritual responsibility, but also often acts as the social worker, because there no safety nets in Iraq such as medi-cal, food stamps, or other social protection services established other countries.
Dr Kasawa came back to summarize some of the above themes in English. Most importantly is “takes a community to help the community back home”. A total of almost $250,000 was raised, but to clarify we don’t have the $250,000 in the bank, as we are counting someone who started donating $100/month as $1200 for the year. The fundraising routes was in large part due to the generosity of our platinum, gold, and bronze sponsors.
Finally, our Bishop, Emmanuel Shaleta, congratulated the efforts, zeal and will of the Hope team in doing what he referred to as the Christian and human thing to do. Our dear Bishop blessed all participants and donors, noting that, “This is the best way to help the needy”, during his special dinner blessing. The spectacular evening was aired live on Facebook via Chaldean Radio & TV, reaching a greater audience and more potential donors. We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the donors and participants of the Hope 2022 Gala and kindly ask that you continue keeping the most-needy families in your deep prayers. On behalf of the poorest and persecuted, we appreciate any donations you’re able to give from your hearts. Thank you to all from the bottom of our hearts! God bless you, and see you in 2023!
Report for Hope for Iraqi Christians 2018, Fundraising Gala
The Hope for Iraqi Christians, an organization under St Peter’s Chaldean Knights of Columbus council, hosted a Fundraising Gala of prayers, spreading awareness, and raising funds to help the persecuted poor in Iraq and the Middle East, on September 28th. There were 370 humanitarians in attendance, which consisted of clergy, dignitaries, and guests. All those at the gala witnessed a beautiful night of community coming together to help a most worthy cause. The gala was at University of San Diego, and we were co-sponsored by the university as well!
Showcased were several speakers who were able to give a first hand eyewitness account of the current plight of the refugees and the poor. All these speakers were in the middle east within the past several weeks.
After expenses were blessed to raise $163,420!
It’s not too late to donate!
Why donate?
1) Literally thousands of families need desperate assistance, in this modern day Genocide, of the native people of Iraq;
2) Money going directly to the neediest;
3) It’s biblical. Our Lord says, “truly I tell you, whatever you did to the least of my people, you did for ME.” - Matthew 24:45
We keep four promises, 100% of your money goes to most needy, 100% transparency, 100% volunteer run, and 100% tax deductible.
On behalf of the poor and persecuted, we thank you for all your continued prayers and support!
July, 2016
We had a generous response to our 100 family matching appeal in July! A total of 67 donors signed up to be monthly donors. Even though we were a short of our goal of 100, our generous sponsor of the matching appeal promised to still support the original 100 families! This brings our total families matched between the San Diego and Michigan Chaldean Catholic Diocese to just over 2,000 families to whom we are sending monthly donations! More needs to be done, and we are working hard, and being innovative to reach out to more donors. Our next phase is to reach out to parishes across San Diego, please read the letters sent to all the priests in San Diego. We have started outreaching to local churches already, and the responses from parishioners have been heartwarming. So with a full set of volunteers, we are hoping to reach more churches in the coming months. Please contact us know if your parish is interested in having us discuss the ongoing plight of the innocent suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.
May 5, 2016
Hope for Iraqi Christians and the Knights of Columbus Mar Toma Council #10981 raised over $270,000 during a fundraising event on Thursday, May 5th in El Cajon. There were nearly 500 guests in attendance at the invite-only event hosted at the St. Peter’s Cathedral church hall. Read more here.
February 21, 2016
Thank you, Ryan, for helping us set up. Our Deacon Keith was allowed to give all homilies for the day, regarding the plight of the Christians and other minorities in Ninevah. Over $5,000 raised and monthly donors signed up for Adopt a Refugee Family.
February 18. 2016
Launch of MERCI California was a success! Dr. Bassam Jawaideh from Michigan gave a presentation on how he helped establish nine clinics in North Iraq helping the refugees. And Dr. Ayad Daoud is a Christian doctor who actually works in one of the clinics! Please pray for their ongoing efforts to support the displaced. You may contribute financially here under Medical Need.
January 31, 2016
On Sunday, Jan 31, 2016, we spent all day at St. Pius Catholic Church with my brother Knights, creating awareness on the plight of Iraqi Christian refugees.
May 7, 2015
Raising awareness at the East County San Diego Mayor's Luncheon, May 7th 2015, where we were able to discuss the plight of Christians, and have a booth for donations. Read more here.
