With internationally recognized empathy expert Karen Faith joining the celebration, the November 7 fundraiser promises an evening of music, laughter, generosity, and holiday hope for children in need.
ANDOVER, MA — For a child eagerly awaiting the holidays, happiness might come wrapped in something surprisingly simple: a favorite toy, a basketball, a new winter jacket, or a gift chosen especially for them.
But for families struggling to manage everyday expenses, even those modest wishes can be difficult to fulfill.
On Saturday, November 7, 2026, a group of community members will gather in Andover, Massachusetts, to help change that story. And they plan to do it with music, laughter, dancing, and a generous dose of 1960s and 1970s nostalgia.
Welcome to “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy,” a fundraising celebration hosted by Team Monadnock in support of Operation ELF, an all-volunteer nonprofit that has spent more than 25 years bringing holiday happiness to children facing difficult circumstances.
A key architect of the initiative is Surinder Ahluwalia of Ahluwalia Law Offices, whose efforts are helping bring together people, businesses, and community supporters around a shared charitable purpose.
The evening will welcome internationally recognized empathy researcher and TEDx speaker Karen Faith, while DJ Madhumohan will bring the music to life. Sandeep Asija is generously sponsoring the venue, and The Treasury Indian Greek Kitchen will provide food for the celebration.
Behind the retro theme and lively entertainment lies a mission that makes the gathering particularly meaningful: helping children experience the joy of receiving a holiday gift.
Surinder Ahluwalia: Bringing People Together for a Cause That Matters
Some community initiatives begin with a donation. Others begin with someone who sees an opportunity to bring people together and turn goodwill into action.
For Surinder Ahluwalia, the upcoming Operation ELF fundraiser represents that opportunity.
As a key architect of “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy,” Ahluwalia has played an important role in shaping a celebration that connects entertainment with philanthropy.
Through his involvement, the event brings together local professionals, business owners, families, and friends in support of an organization whose work has a direct impact on children and their families.
The concept moves beyond the traditional charity dinner. Instead of a formal evening centered primarily on fundraising appeals, the organizers are creating an experience that people will genuinely enjoy attending.
The music, nostalgic atmosphere, and entertainment become natural ways to encourage participation, strengthen relationships, and introduce more people to Operation ELF’s mission.
Ahluwalia’s contribution also reflects the importance of community leadership beyond professional responsibilities. Individuals willing to share their time, connections, and resources can help charitable organizations reach audiences they might not otherwise reach.
And with requests for holiday assistance continuing to grow, that kind of involvement is especially valuable.
Operation ELF: More Than 25 Years of Making Holiday Wishes Come True
Long before this year’s fundraiser was planned, Operation ELF was already quietly transforming the holidays for thousands of children.
Founded in 2000, Operation ELF — Everybody Loves Families — is an all-volunteer, non-denominational nonprofit dedicated to bringing holiday gifts to children who might otherwise go without them.
The organization works with shelters and social service agencies serving children and families in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including those experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or transitional living situations.
What makes its approach special is the personal attention given to each child.
Rather than distributing identical gift packages, Operation ELF collects individual wish lists from children ranging from infants to teenagers. Sponsors are then matched with those lists and purchase gifts specifically requested by each child.
A younger child might wish for a favorite character toy or game. An older child may hope for sports equipment, clothing, or a special accessory. Warm winter jackets and other essential clothing are also common requests.
Sponsors receive information such as a child’s age, clothing size, interests, and favorite colors, while the child’s identity remains confidential.
The result is more personal than a traditional toy drive. Each gift reflects the interests and needs of the child receiving it.
A Growing Mission With Remarkable Impact
As Operation ELF marked its 25th anniversary in 2025, the organization reported having delivered nearly 25,000 holiday gifts over its history.
Its recent impact is equally impressive.
According to its October 2026 community update, more than 1,800 children received gifts in 2025, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and volunteers across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The organization works with approximately 18 agency partners, several of which have already requested additional assistance for children during the 2026 holiday season.
Meeting that demand requires careful coordination.
Sponsors purchase gifts from children’s wish lists and deliver them unwrapped to designated collection locations. Volunteers then help organize and prepare the gifts for distribution through participating agencies.
Financial donations also help the organization purchase gifts for children whose wish lists have not yet been fulfilled.
Behind these efforts is a network of individuals who may never meet the children they are helping, yet choose to make their holiday season a little brighter.
For information about sponsoring a child, volunteering, or donating directly, visit www.operationelf.org.
Team Monadnock: Turning Community Spirit Into Action
Hosting “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy” is Team Monadnock, the organizing team bringing this charitable celebration to Andover.
The event’s 1960s- and 1970s-inspired theme offers a playful connection to an era remembered for unforgettable music, colorful fashion, and messages of peace, love, and togetherness.
It also creates an inviting atmosphere for people of different ages and backgrounds.
The organizers have designed the evening around participation rather than formality. Guests can enjoy entertainment, reconnect with friends, join fundraising activities, and contribute to Operation ELF through admission, table sponsorships, auctions, raffles, and donations.
The approach encourages community involvement in several forms.
Some supporters contribute services or resources. Others participate by attending, volunteering, sponsoring a table, or introducing friends to the cause.
By bringing those contributions together, Team Monadnock is creating an event where social connections can translate into meaningful charitable support.
Karen Faith: A Global Voice for Empathy Joins the Celebration
One of the evening’s notable participants will be Karen Faith, an internationally recognized researcher, facilitator, speaker, and founder of OTHERS.
Faith founded OTHERS in 2021 around a deceptively simple philosophy:
“All problems are people problems.”
Her work explores empathy, human behavior, communication, and the ways people can better understand themselves and one another.
As a researcher and facilitator, she has helped shape initiatives involving organizations including Google, Amazon, Indeed, Intuit, Applebee’s, Blue Cross, the Federal Reserve Bank, the NBA, the ACLU, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Her approach combines research, storytelling, humor, and audience participation, making complex ideas about human behavior accessible and engaging.
Faith has spoken on stages across five continents, connecting with audiences through a style that is interactive, authentic, and often unexpectedly funny.
The TEDx Talk That Reached Millions
In August 2022, Faith delivered a TEDxKC talk titled “How to Talk to the Worst Parts of Yourself.”
The presentation explores self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the importance of approaching difficult emotions with curiosity rather than judgment.
Through her concept of Unconditional Welcome, Faith encourages people to develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
The talk has attracted millions of views, introducing her perspective on empathy and self-understanding to audiences worldwide.
Her participation in the Operation ELF fundraiser brings an interesting dimension to the evening.
Empathy is often discussed as a personal or professional skill. Operation ELF demonstrates how that same quality can inspire practical action.
When someone recognizes another person’s circumstances and responds with kindness, empathy becomes more than an idea.
It becomes a gift, a gesture, or an experience that can make a genuine difference.
DJ Madhumohan to Bring the Music to Life
A celebration inspired by the 1960s and 1970s would hardly be complete without music that makes people want to dance.
DJ Madhumohan will join “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy,” bringing musical energy and entertainment to the evening.
With the event drawing inspiration from two unforgettable decades, guests can look forward to a lively atmosphere filled with nostalgia, familiar rhythms, and opportunities to hit the dance floor.
Music will help set the tone for an evening where guests can relax, celebrate, and enjoy themselves while supporting a meaningful cause.
DJ Madhumohan’s participation adds to a program designed to keep the celebration engaging from beginning to end.
An Evening of Music, Comedy, Games, and Surprises
The organizers have planned an entertainment program that goes well beyond a traditional fundraising dinner.
Among the highlights is “ELFs Got Talent,” an interactive segment featuring karaoke, dancing, and opportunities for guests to showcase their talents.
The announced activities also include live music, comedy, a silent auction, raffles, a mystery-date auction, gladiator games, and playful pie-in-the-face activities.
The variety gives guests several ways to enjoy the evening and participate in fundraising.
Whether someone comes for the music, comedy, games, or simply to spend time with friends, the program is designed to create an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere.
Sandeep Asija Sponsors the Venue
An important contribution to the event comes from Sandeep Asija, who is generously sponsoring the venue for the November 7 celebration.
His support is helping Team Monadnock provide the setting for the fundraiser and reflects the value of community members stepping forward with resources that help make charitable events possible.
The Treasury Indian Greek Kitchen to Provide Food
Adding to the evening’s hospitality, The Treasury Indian Greek Kitchen will provide food for the celebration.
The restaurant brings its culinary experience to a gathering built around entertainment, friendship, and community generosity.
Together, these contributions help the organizers create an enjoyable experience for guests while directing attention toward the fundraiser’s charitable mission.
Why the 2026 Fundraiser Matters
Operation ELF’s achievements tell an encouraging story, but the organization’s growing demand also highlights the challenges many families continue to face.
With more than 1,800 children helped in 2025 and partner agencies requesting additional assistance, the need for sponsors and donations remains substantial.
For families managing rent, groceries, utilities, and other essential expenses, holiday gifts can become a difficult financial priority.
Operation ELF helps ease that burden through a network of volunteers and donors who believe every child deserves something special during the holiday season.
The November 7 fundraiser offers the community another way to support that work.
Individual admission, table sponsorships, auction participation, and donations can all contribute to the broader fundraising effort.
For those unable to attend, Operation ELF also offers opportunities to sponsor individual children’s wish lists or contribute directly through its charitable program.
Event Details: Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy
Event: Operation ELF Fundraiser 2026 — Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy
Hosted by: Team Monadnock
Media & Platform Partner: Jay-Ho!
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Venue: 151 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA 01810
Theme: 1960s and 1970s
Admission: $100 per person
Table Sponsorship: $1,000 for a table of 10
Venue Sponsor: Sandeep Asija
Food Provider: The Treasury Indian Greek Kitchen
Special Participant: Karen Faith
Music: DJ Madhumohan, along with the announced entertainment program
Beneficiary: Operation ELF
RSVP Contact: 617-833-3949
Email: operationelf2026@gmail.com
Guests are encouraged to reserve their places in advance. Donations are also welcome, with tax deductibility subject to applicable rules.
RSVP and Event Information:https://nwite.jay-ho.com/team-monadnock/operation-elf-fundraiser-2026
When the Music Ends, the Real Celebration Begins
On November 7, guests will gather in Andover for an evening of music, conversation, laughter, and the colorful spirit of decades gone by.
They will dance, enjoy the entertainment, and reconnect with friends.
But the true measure of the evening’s success will not be the number of songs played or the applause following a performance.
It will be found weeks later, in homes and shelters across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
In the excitement of a child discovering a gift chosen especially for them.
In the relief of a parent who had been worried about the holidays.
And in the quiet satisfaction of knowing that strangers cared enough to make those moments possible.
Through the efforts of Surinder Ahluwalia, Team Monadnock, Karen Faith, DJ Madhumohan, Sandeep Asija, The Treasury Indian Greek Kitchen, Jay-Ho!, and everyone who participates, “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy” brings together the people and resources needed to support a meaningful cause.
Because sometimes, the most wonderful gift of the holiday season is knowing that you helped make someone else’s wish come true.
Jay-Ho! — Media & Platform Partner
Jay-Ho! is supporting “Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy” as its Media & Platform Partner, helping amplify the fundraiser’s message and connect the community with this meaningful cause.
The event’s digital invitations and RSVPs are powered by Nwite by Jay-Ho!, a platform designed to simplify private celebrations, community gatherings, and special occasions.
Explore Nwite: https://nwite.jay-ho.com
FAQ
1. What is the Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy fundraiser?
It is a community fundraising event hosted by Team Monadnock to support Operation ELF and bring holiday happiness to children facing financial hardships.
2. When and where is the Operation ELF Fundraiser 2026 taking place?
The event will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM onwards at 151 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, Massachusetts 01810.
3. Who is organizing the Peace, Love & Sparks of Joy event?
Team Monadnock is hosting the event, with Surinder Ahluwalia of Ahluwalia Law Offices playing a key role in bringing together community members and supporters.
4. What activities and entertainment can guests expect?
Guests can enjoy live music, comedy, karaoke, dancing, a silent auction, raffles, gladiator games, and the interactive ELFs Got Talent segment.
5. How can people support Operation ELF if they cannot attend the fundraiser?
People can support the organization by sponsoring a child’s holiday wish list, volunteering, or making a direct donation through www.operationelf.org.
