Fundraiser to honor junior’s cousin raises donations with craft fair at Elk Grove Regional Park

Junior Sahej Claire (third from the left) with her aunt, Raj Sanghvi (center in striped and polka-dot shirt) and Abhi’s twin sister, Sofiya (front row striped dress), stand with other volunteers at last year's Art for Abhi.
(Photo used by permission of Claire)
Junior Sahej Claire (third from left) with her aunt, Raj Sanghvi (center in striped and polka-dot shirt) and Abhi’s twin sister, Sofiya (front row, striped dress), stand with other volunteers at last year’s Art for Abhi.

Update: The fundraiser will be held at the Children’s Choice for Hearing and Talking School Center at 11100 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova, instead of Elk Grove Regional Park due to rain.

Art for Abhi, a fundraiser started by Miraj and Raj Sanghvi, was a way for them to remember their son, Abhi, and bring together the community through art.

The Sanghvis, who are the aunt and uncle of junior Sahej Claire, established this event last year in memory of Abhi, who died three years ago. He was 18 months old.

The fundraiser, held at the Children’s Choice for Hearing and Talking School Center (11100 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova), will be on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. It will last three to four hours, and there will be stations for canvas painting, cupcake decorating, cardmaking and more.  

(Photo used by permission of Sahej Claire)
Abhi in his car seat.

Last year, the Art for Abhi organization donated over $7000 to the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, and this year they hope to do the same for the Children’s Choice for Hearing and Talking School (CCHAT).

CCHAT is a nonprofit school whose mission is to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen and develop a spoken language.

According to Claire, CCHAT was chosen because of its significance to them and their son. Abhi was not a student at CCHAT, but because of his hearing aids, he and the Sanghvis spent time there.

“They want to give other children opportunities that they might not have otherwise,” Claire said.

The Sanghvis said they saw what the school does for children.

“A lot of times parents think the only option is sign language, but (CCHAT) gives (children) another form of communication,” Raj said.

(Photo used by permission of Claire)
Junior Sahej Claire, left, runs the canvas painting station. Kids placed a tape pattern on a canvas and then chose colors to paint. Claire’s brother, seventh grader Arjin, assists the children in the back.

Raj said she started Art for Abhi to spread creativity throughout the community and expose children to different forms of art.

“Art and crafting have been a form of meditation for me, and they have helped me heal through some difficult times,” she said.

The Sanghvis also wanted to help children in communities who do not have a safe home, good health or other needs.

(Photo used by permission of Claire)
Another station at last year’s fundraiser was yoga. Abhi’s twin sister, Sofiya (striped dress), stretches with the other children.

“With Art for Abhi, we’re able to combine the two: my love for art and helping children,” Raj said.

The event is run by about a dozen volunteers who are both family and friends.

Donors unable to attend the fundraiser can donate at the CCHAT Center donation site by filling out the form and writing “Art for Abhi” in the “Other” box.

By Allison Zhang

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