Syosset Resident Starts Fundraiser For Birthday Donations

This year for his birthday, rather than having people buy him drinks, Syosset resident Henry Kochhar is asking people to use that money make a donation.

Earlier this week, Kochhar started a GoFundMe page asking people to give money that would've spent on drinks on his birthday night to donate to two foundations dedicated to bring awareness and support to victims of domestic violence.

"I've tried time and time again to try celebrating, from popping bottles to VIP concerts to getaways, everything seemed too empty," he wrote on the page. "Spending the night away for time I won't remember. This time, I wanted to make it different."

Kochhar was inspired to create the fundraiser in honor of his sister, Bhoomika Kochhar, who passed away three years ago at 25-years-old in Nepal after being treated cruelly by her husband.

"A lot of people have asked me about my birthday," he said. "I don't find any value in spending money for my birthday, a donation is enough satisfaction."

Since her death, the family has organized several fundraisers in her name including a blood drive and an event at the Ronald McDonald House, but this year Kochhar wanted to do something different.

In addition to the fundraiser, he is currently setting up two companies with the hopes to be able to fund the Bhooma Foundation which would also help women suffering from domestic abuse.

"It's a dream of mine to create a business in support of my sister and making her proud," he said.

Kochhar hoped to be able to reach $2,500 to split evenly to two foundations: Sakhi, a New York City-based domestic violence foundation run by South Asian Women and the Joyful Heart Foundation a nation-wide foundation set up to bring awareness and support to domestic violence and abuse victims.

He also plans to match whatever money is raised. In just two days, the page raised a total of $1,207.

"I had no idea I would get that much, it's comforting to receive that support and nice to see that people are caring and supporting such a good cause," he said.

While some of Kochhar's friends were "bummed out" he wasn't throwing a party to raise the funds, he hopes they get the satisfaction of donating to the cause rather than a few drinks. He also plans on doing this again next year.

"The biggest concern for me is that things fizzles out and no one can stick to the issues," he said. "I don't want my sister's stories or stories like my sisters to fizzle out so I hope this is a step in the right direction."

To learn more or to donate, visit his GoFundMe page here.