KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 24

Himalayan Sherpa Club of Sonoma and the California Sherpa Association, with support from the City of Sonoma organised a fundraising event to support communities devastated by the recent floods in Nepal.

"More than $100,000 has been raised during the event which was hosted at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall last night," Ang Tendi Sherpa, a member of the organizing associations said.

The event entitled "Sonoma for Nepal: A Flood Relief Charity Dinner," was attended by hundreds of community members and dignitaries and has a theme "From the Heart of Sonoma to the Peaks of Nepal," Sherpa added.

Members of the Sherpa community offered Buddhist prayers for the victims of the floods in the event which was joined by over a dozen restaurants, wineries and volunteer organizations.

During the program emceed by Ngawang Sherpa, a video presented by Sonam Jangbu Sherpa showing the devastation caused by the August 26 floods along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridors.

People travelled from different parts of the Bay Area to join the event showing solidarity to Nepal in time of grief. During the event Sonoma Mayor Ron Wellander said that Sonoma always stands with Nepali community, terming that influence and contributions of the Sherpa community extend far beyond the Sonoma Valley in the United States.

California's 4th Congressional District's representative Mike Thompson also appreciated the Sherpa community's effort in supporting Nepali communities in need.

Gombu Sherpa, president of the California Sherpa Association, thanked sponsors, donors, volunteers and community members who joined the humanitarian effort. "As campaign has already raised more than $100,000 but donations will be accepted through the end of September 2026, allowing those who were unable to attend the event," he said adding that after the campaign concludes and the final amount is determined, and the collected funds will be transferred directly to Nepal's Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund through the California Sherpa Association.

Pemba Sherpa, president of the Himalayan Sherpa Club of Sonoma informed that the generosity presented by community members and dignitaries from Sonoma and beyond was highly appreciable. "Our bond with Nepal is getting stronger though we live miles away from the homeland," he reacted.