Helping Hands Award Dinner 2021

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Thank you to everybody that supported and attended the 36th Helping Hands Award Dinner on Wednesday, September 8 at the Gillespie Conference Center! It was truly a great event and we enjoyed being able to host everybody in a fun and safe environment. The support shown for Drs. Zoreen and Rafat Ansari was incredible to witness!

The year 1980 saw two major developments in the healthcare industry in our community – oncologist Dr. Rafat Ansari began caring for patients at Michiana Hematology Oncology and Center for Hospice Care served their first patient. In recognition of these two milestones, the theme for the 2020 Helping Hands Award Dinner was “40/40 in 2020.” The Ansaris were chosen for the award to recognize their exponential impact in our community through their acts of kindness and philanthropy. In the spirit of the unprecedented circumstances of 2020 and in consistency with moving our event to 2021 we have revised the theme to “40/40 in 2020. The Lost Year.”

The Ansaris were integral in establishing autism advocacy and services in our community through the creation of the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at LOGAN Center in South Bend.  The center, named for their daughter Sonya, provides a range of services, resources, and training for parents, educators and professionals who face the daily realities of autism. In addition, Zoreen and Rafat presented a transformational gift to the University of Notre Dame to establish the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion in the Keough School of Global Affairs. The Institute focuses on religious studies and research, with worldwide engagement and education. Further demonstrating their commitment to education, Zoreen was essential in the creation of two elementary schools in Sindh, Pakistan. Rafat’s published work in oncology care has provided guidance to the medical community at large. The compassionate care, support and guidance provided through their work as physicians has given great comfort to innumerable patients and families in our community.

Zoreen and Rafat moved to South Bend in 1980 and locally raised their three children, Sarah, Adam and Sonya. Through their ongoing work and generosity, the Ansaris have created a ripple effect across the community and around the world. Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation are honored to recognize Zoreen and Rafat by sharing the wonderful ways they are improving the quality of living for so many.

Thank you to all of our sponsors! Your support allows us to keep our over 40 year promise that no one who is eligible for and wants hospice care will ever be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay.

Dinner Presenters

Alick’s Home Medical

Drs. Zoreen and Dr. Rafat Ansari

Catherine and John Hiler

Hiler Family Foundation

University of Notre Dame

Dinner Benefactors

1st Source Bank

Ann and Dr. Frederick Dean

Linda and Bipin Doshi

Gurley-Leep Automotive Family

Connie and Michael Joines

LOGAN Community Resources

Michiana Hematology Oncology, PC

Sara Miller

Anna and Sam Milligan

Carmi and Chris Murphy

Mark M Murray

Office Interiors, Inc.

Kathleen and David Sparks

Rita and Dick Strefling

Studebaker National Museum

The Tire Rack

WNIT Public Television

Reception Benefactors

Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Dr. Holly and Dr. Jim Harris

Kruggel Lawton CPAs

Mary Jane Stanley

Patrons

The Ancilla Domini Sisters
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Naydean V. Beck
Kathy Beeler and Brian Regan
Jo Ann and Joe Blazek
Judge John Broden
Janette Burkhart-Miller
Carleton Inc./Sue and Pat Ruszkowski
Roland Chamblee, Jr.
Corson Family Foundation
D.J. Construction
Bill Deputy Foundation
Drive & Shine/Sherri and Haji Tehrani
Jane and Ron Emanoil
Marie and Dr. Tom Felger
Catherine L. Fitzpatrick
Goshen Health
Gurley-Leep Automotive Family
Megan and Phil Hammond
HELMAN SECHRIST Architecture
Mary and Jim Hesburgh
Janet and Larry Hiler
Holladay Properties
Sharon Housand
Kurt Janowsky
Carol and Craig Kapson
Kelly Cares Foundation
Peter LaCava, Jr.
Lake City Bank
Judd Leighton Foundation
Mary and Phil Newbold
Mary Pat and Richard Nussbaum II
Teresa O’Connor
Oliver Ford Lincoln in Plymouth
Aisha and Usman Qadeer
Ernestine Raclin
Jeannie and Paul Rogalski
Saint Joseph Health System
Senior1 Care
Ajazuddin Shaikh, M.D.
Joey and Kurt Stiver
Dr. Bobbie Collet Sutton and Mr. James Robert Sutton II
Kathy and Dan Wilson

Dinner Committee

Committee Chairs

Jen Ewing

Tom Housand

Committee Members

Nafe Alick
Shamaila and Bilal Ansari
Linda and Bipin Doshi
Ann and John Firth
Shannon and Matt Harrington
Holly and Jim Harris
Jamie and Jeff Helman
Catherine and John Hiler
Kurt Janowsky
Connie and Mike Joines
Karen and Mike Leep

Teresa and Rob Myers
Sara B. Miller
Anna and Sam Milligan
Carmi and Chris Murphy
Carmen and Lou Nanni
Mary and Phil Newbold
Tim Portolese and Bruce Newswanger
Tonya and Tim Sexton
Mary Jane Stanley
Nicole and Chad Towner
Kim Woofter

If you would still like to make a donation towards the 36th Helping Hands Award Dinner in honor of Drs. Zoreen and Rafat Ansari, please do so below.