ESCONDIDO -- For most, working a full-time job Monday through Friday and running a side business on the weekends -- in addition to fundraising for underprivileged people in a war-torn country -- would be a near impossibility.

For Abdul Satar, it's been his routine since arriving to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago.

Satar is a communications project manager at the University of Southern California during the week, and runs Car Seat Covers and Carpets at the Escondido swap meet on the weekends. Every Saturday and Sunday since August 2005, he makes the 75-minute trek from Buena Park in Orange County to his business selling car accessories and large-pattern floral carpets at 635 W. Mission Ave.

He's also the vice chairman of Afghanistan Relief Organization, a volunteer-run nonprofit group based in Orange County that operates a vocational school in Kabul, Afghanistan. ARO is holding its annual fundraiser Friday in Orange County.

Satar said recent reports from Afghanistan show the need for continued support.

"Very little is being built by (the Afghan) government because they don't have the funds. (The schools and infrastructure) are being built by private organizations or donor countries," Satar said. "This is important because the world has to focus on not forgetting Afghanistan again, or it will easily go back to how it was five years ago."

Last year's event featured Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner," as the keynote speaker, and was attended by a group from the Escondido library, which had just kicked off its One City, One Book program with Hosseini's novel. ARO raised close to $40,000.

This year, the nonprofit has a goal of $50,000, Satar said. "It's a dream, I know, but hopefully one that comes true," he said.

The fundraiser's theme, "Peace Through Education," will be highlighted by Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.S., Said T. Jawad, who will give the keynote address.

"The ambassador is coming to focus the audience's attention on what is needed in the country now, show how much need there is. We want to show people how they can help," Satar said.

The fundraiser will also include live music, an Afghan dinner, and jewelry and crafts for sale.

Southern California roots

ARO officially formed in 1998 after Satar and a fellow Afghan, Abul Fazil Khalili, looked to help a region in the northern province of Takhar suffering after a crippling earthquake.

The two had met a decade earlier in Los Angeles, a few months after Satar and his family had emigrated from Afghanistan, which was being occupied by the Soviet Union. Satar said Khalili, then a manager of a parking lot, gave him a job when he was having trouble finding work.

"He gave up his own shifts at the lot for me, so I could have some money. I'll never forget that," Satar said.

Khalili was already well known in the Afghan community for helping newly immigrated Afghans, Satar said.

Satar said that he and Khalili saw through their fundraising that there were a lot of "good-hearted" people who wanted to help Afghanistan, but needed an organization to carry it through. The two formed the Afghan nonprofit with Khalili as chairman.

ARO currently has around 80 volunteers, and the group still makes annual distribution trips to the country, now with groups of eight to 15.

The organization's fundraiser will be held 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Pacific Hills Banquet Hall, 23551 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills. Cost is $50 and includes dinner.

For tickets, call Judith Sepull, (949) 581-2236 or Parween Omidi, (714) 974-9322. For more information, visit ARO's Web site at afghanrelief.com.

Nadia Maiwandi is a copy editor at the North County Times. Contact her at nmaiwandi@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Afghanistan Relief Organization fundraiser:

Where: Pacific Hills Banquet Hall, 23551 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills.

When: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Cost: $50, includes dinner.

Tickets: Judith Sepull, (949) 581-2236; Parween Omidi, (714) 974-9322.

Web site: afghanrelief.com.