The end result was that 5050 complete Care Packages for Labourers, plus thousands of additional donated supplies, were created and distributed to over 10,000 labourers in Sonapur in one night. Such a feat is only possible by a tremendous wave of goodwill, kindness and very, very hard work. Massive kudos to each and everyone involved in bringing great happiness to thousands of men. Their gratitude and blessings are with all of you.

Along with the thanks, I want to sincerely apologize to the people who took time out of their busy lives to come and help and could not get a chance to be a part of the night. We had 3071 registrations by Aug 9th morning. We were prepared for and anticipated around 5000 volunteers but when 11,000+ wonderful people turned up, to put it quite simply, we were overwhelmed. Those who made it inside got to experience the incredible oneness of Care Packages Night but those who didn't were very disappointed and rightfully so. Everyone came with hearts full of enthusiasm and the best of intentions and I am so so sorry, especially for those who brought children, who couldn't participate. I have taken on all of your feedback: the happy and the disappointed and truly, we will have better processes in place next time.

I know from conversations with some of you that you will be happy though to hear that your best wishes reached the men and that they responded with whole-hearted gratitude and amazement at the sheer quantity of gifts.

Dubai Chamber, especially inspirational Layla, Sufiyan, Dania, Sophie and Saeed, were partners in every sense of the word. The aim of Dubai Chamber's Ramadan Festival at WTC has been to bring Dubai's community together and it's a great credit to them and Dubai's governance, that in our materialistically-driven world, they made giving-back and sharing one's blessings the core component of that.

Huge thanks to World Trade Centre, especially Ray for his help and patient multi-tasking. Dubai's corporate community came forward with a generosity that exceeded taking part as a standard CSR initiative but as something greater that came from the heart. We were blown away by the quantity of supplies donated and sponsored, especially by Emirates (organized by Marie Symons), and our reaction was nothing compared to that at the camps.

Adopt-a-Camp's Care Packages Night team, thank you. You are good, good people who do this for no personal gain, only the desire to help others and make a difference in this crazy world we live in. Bless you for your commitment and strength.

An extra special shout-out to the teams who came in the morning and did the mammoth task of unloading the trailers and setting up the arena. The One's Team, Tristar's team, Freshfields' team, Dubai Chamber's dedicated people and all the wonderful individuals I will never forget, many of whom were fasting, you were amazing.

Those who came out to the camps with us, what a night that was. You braved the heat, the unfamiliar environment and directions, the crowds and crowds of pushing men. I specially remember the two young boys with their father who eagerly wished to help. I thank all of you strong, gutsy people (many who only had a few sips of water before starting their fasts) who made the extra great, gut-wrenching effort to see this through, you guys went far above and beyond.

The 5050 Care Packages were unloaded inside the designated camp and the men are thrilled with them. Additional supplies were loaded onto the 40-ton trailers and were to go to the neighbouring camp with the camp boss's understanding that the items were not identical and the men were to share them. We could not take the 40-ton trailers into the camp compound as they were too long, so their supplies were distributed on the roads to workers, some very smoothly and others with heroic efforts till 6am.

Amongst the many highlights of the night, one of them for me was the trading that started on the sides of the road: guys having a blast bartering with each other. It was too cute. Another highlight was at 5am, all of us sweaty and disheveled and suddenly a waft of Hermes (courtesy of the Emirates overnight kits) from a grinning worker as he walked past ☺

On a personal note, whilst there was great fulfillment in seeing the Care Packages going to the men in the camp of 5000, the additional supplies distribution to thousands of men was bittersweet for me. Many hard lessons were learnt about logistics but the most powerful lesson I learnt that night was just to be so thankful to Allah for all the blessings we have in life. It was wonderful that these items reached them, but it was deeply humbling, almost terrifyingly humbling, to see what these basic supplies meant to these men.

To ALL the Care Packages sponsors, ALL the volunteers, ALL the well-wishers, to my incredibly supportive husband, patient children and family, none of this would be possible without you. 300 TONS of Care Packages and other supplies would never have gone into the labour camps yesterday if it weren't for you. 10,000+ workers would never have received such amazing gifts if it weren't for you. You have shown that it IS possible to make a difference, a real difference. We CAN be the change we wish to see in the world. All a person needs to do is care. You did. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Saher.