An International benefit held on Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix on February 20, 1988
An international group of celebrities, politicians and business leaders enjoyed a spectacular evening at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix for a fundraising event to aid Afghan children who have become refugees in border camps in Pakistan as a result of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Vice President, George H.W. Bush was the Honorary Chairman of the gala that had an elaborate listing of political support including Senator John McCain, Senator Dennis DeConcini, Congressman Jon Kyl, Congressman Charles Wilson, Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard and Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater. World renowned entertainer Bob Hope headed an array of celebrities, sports figures and an elite group of European socialites attracting international and national press corps. The devastation in Afghanistan was personified by Hazrat Khan, a twelve year old Afghan refugee whose village had been bombed, his mother killed, and the falling debris had crushed his legs. He was brought to the United States for medical treatment and eagerly chatted with Bob Hope and Senator Kyl about the plight of his villagers. A lavish authentic Afghan dinner was prepared by chefs who had been flown in from Afghanistan for this special evening. All proceeds from the evening were distributed to the Afghanistan International Rescue Committee and the Afghanistan Relief Committee to provide humanitarian aid in the refugee camps.