By Zubin R Mory
HOUSTON: The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (https://zah.org/) celebrated its Annual Youth Fundraiser on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at its West Airport Blvd center (“the home of Parsis from India/Pakistan”). The main draw and specialty of this event is that it’s planned, managed, and executed by ZAH Youth. The parents of the kids and teachers participating in the monthly Sunday school classes for a “current academic year” help and mentor with the fundraiser, as needed.
This event raised money for charitable foundations that work with the Zoroastrian community or with the general population. These are noble causes and the community bands together year after year to help folks across all walks of life. This is a direct extension of the Parsi ethos of charity, as a “founding principle and guiding light” of our existence in India and Pakistan.
In the past years, it was an entertainment-focused event with drama, music or dance performances. This year, the young organizers decided on a fresh idea. The party had a “Gymkhana Night” theme, a throwback to the fun, parties and activities of gymkhanas in Bombay! People turned out smartly in “Country Club Chic” attire that would fit in perfectly in the banquet rooms of high-end country clubs of Houston or elite gymkhanas/clubs of Bombay. The one change—this event included a CASINO! The casino evoked high anticipation from guests. The evening started with a short community prayer which fulfilled spiritual needs. And then, the festivities started, with the MCs, the articulate and well-dressed office bearers of the Youth group, informing the audience to be generous and charitable. Folks were reminded that there was a higher and nobler cause behind all this fun and frolic!
The festivities started with appetizers, wine, and cocktails. Then the first game kicked off, the Trivia contest, which was ably run by 3 elegantly and fashionably dressed, well-spoken young ladies from the Youth group. Their performance in conducting the Trivia was comparable to established game-show host(s) while delivering questions related to “landmark Bollywood items”, leading Parsi industrialists, athletes, entertainment figures etc. There was good natured and high intensity participation among audience members. This fun event ended and the much-anticipated Casino was thrown open, operated by ihostpoker Casino parties. In spite of this Casino not being a “real” casino with real money exchanged, the enthusiasm shown by participants was totally real and authentic. A person in the casino room that night, at the blackjack, roulette or craps tables, would feel that one was transported to the loud, enthusiastic and full-of-life floor of a Vegas or a sophisticated Monte Carlo casino. But, the banter in apru Parsi Gujrati interspersed with some spicy and love-filled words would bring one back to the ZAH center. There was loud whooping and yelling when someone landed a blackjack or when some person placed an outlandish bet on the tables and won. There were loud groans accompanying losses with all sorts of “real or superstitious explanations” rationalizing the loss. One must give a shout-out to the dealers that ably and effectively ran the tables for the “players”, they made the evening enjoyable and created a “real-casino atmosphere” with their smart dealer attire and professional outlook.
There were events such as passing the parcel and ball in cups geared towards the youngest among us. The little kiddos had a great time running around while their parents/grandparents were breathlessly trying to guide them and herd them. Lastly there was a fun Bingo Event which included playing multiple Bingo games. Prizes were won and some cut-throat, but good-spirited, competition was on display among the “regular bingo crowd”.
All good things come to an end, as did that evening. A Thai dinner was served and as all good/true Parsis do there was “commenting on the food”, aye majenu hatu and aye majenu nahi hatu etc. And the dessert from Cillie’s Cakes lip-smackingly delicious hatu!!
The key thing is that multiple people came together to make this a successful, fun-filled reality with a real and noble purpose. Thanks to the 15+ children from the Youth, Middle and Elementary School Groups and their teachers and parents who worked tirelessly for months. Thank you to the generous donors who made material cash donations for the benefiting charities as well as the donations in terms of ticket purchases, raffle purchases, donated gifts for various games and other disparate donations in kind such as food, time, effort, and miscellaneous items. Thanks to the group that decorated the center to set up the environment and the serving and clean-up crew that worked tirelessly to restore the center back to its original state. Thanks to the Members and guests that attended!
Until next year when we hope to do this again!
