The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Indian Advisory Council will bring business owners, community leaders and law enforcement together Sept. 16 for an awards banquet supporting the council’s work with children and families across Hillsborough County.
The event, scheduled for 5 p.m. at The Motor Enclave in Tampa, is the council’s principal fundraiser and supports its broader mission of strengthening trust between the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Indian community.
“The council was created to give back to children in Title I schools throughout Hillsborough County while also bridging the gap between law enforcement and the Indian community,” said Kuleen Shah, the council’s co-chair.
The council’s outreach is not limited to Indian students or schools with large Indian populations, Shah said. Its work supports children in need at Title I schools throughout the county.
The organization also maintains a relationship with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and works to make community members more aware of the assistance available to them. Shah said trust remains an important barrier because people experiencing difficulties do not always disclose what they are going through or ask for help.
“Sometimes people are in need but do not speak up,” Shah said. “Building trust and making sure people know where they can turn for help are important parts of what we do.”
The council serves as a connection between the Sheriff’s Office and a growing Indian community that includes business owners, professionals and families across Hillsborough County. By strengthening those relationships, the organization aims to make it easier for people to seek assistance when they need it.
The banquet will include networking, awards, presentations, speeches, entertainment, dinner, an auction and raffles. Shah, who has attended the event during each of the past three years, said it has consistently received support from sponsors and members of the local business community.
The council is also working to involve more young Indian Americans and expand participation among area businesses.
“We want to engage more young people and bring more businesses into the organization,” Shah said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Indian Advisory Council Awards Banquet will begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Motor Enclave, 6500 Motor Enclave Way in Tampa. Presale tickets are $150, and tickets will not be available at the door.
The council’s leadership includes President Jay Patel, Chair Ami Patel and Co-Chair Kuleen Shah, with Dr. Vipul Kabaria and Dr. C.J. Patel serving as advisers. Emotional Vaccines and Morgan Automotive Group are featured as sponsors.
Tickets and additional information are available by contacting Shah at [email protected] or 813-486-4129.