Feb 19th 2011
Boston chapter organizes "5K Walk for the Blind"
Commemorating World Sight Day, an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation, the New England chapter of VTSeva hosted a 5K Walk for the Blind on October 8th, 2011 at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, MA. Through this event, we increased awareness and raised funds for the visually challenged and blind.
VTSeva volunteers gathered bright and early around 7AM on a beautiful Saturday morning to set up the tents and tables for the participants, map the trails, gather refreshments and begin the registration process.
What a great way to kick off the first 5K Walk for the Blind!! Unusual for this time of the year, the weather was warm, sunny and bright – shedding light on the volunteers and walkers in their collective efforts to help the visually challenged and blind envision the luminous future that life has in store for them.
HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji sowed the seed to care for the blind. Families from all over Massachusetts energetically participated in this noble endeavor. It was truly inspiring to see people, young children and adults alike, coming together to help others in need across the world. The turnout for the event was great with over 75 people present.
Sometimes words are not enough to describe the enthusiasm of the people as they walked through the thick woods enjoying the beauty of New England autumn season with its splendor of changing foliage. Everyone contemplated the words of HH describing the visually challenged “Their fingers have eyes, Their ears have vision and Their hearts have courage”.
Needless to say, everyone had such a great time that no one wanted the day to end. All were most certainly looking forward to such events in the future.
Prajna students from the New England area helped spread the word in their schools and collected donations. The efforts of these children are truly commendable. Special thanks go to our sponsors, Panera Bread, Co., Shaw’s Supermarket and Starbucks Coffee Co., for their valuable contributions of food and refreshments for the participants. Through generous donations from the participants, the walk raised over $3500. The enthusiasm and energy of the volunteers and participants not only made this event successful but also provided encouragement and motivation to the organizers to conduct such events in future.
For photos from the event, please
click here
During your next visit to India, please make time to visit the schools run by VTSeva and witness for yourself all that these visually challenged children have been able to accomplish with the help of many volunteers and supporters around the globe.
Boston chapter organizes benefit show for Haiti Relief.
On March 6th 2010, VT Seva Boston organized a benefit show of the golden classic Indian movie “Maya Bazaar” to raise funds for Haiti Earth Quake Relief. More than 250 viewers assembled at the theater to support the noble cause. Youngsters turned up in good numbers.
VT Seva volunteers educated the audience about the organization and it's various service activities around the world. The audience not only enjoyed the classical movie but also very much appreciated VT Seva's response to the disaster. Generous donors, who sighted the event as a good cause, pledged their support for it.
VT Seva Boston branch director, Ms. Padma Joginpalli and the team of dedicated volunteers organized the event in a short time and executed the event successfully. We would like to thank all the Boston VT Seva volunteers for their spirit of volunteerism and VT Seva Board for their guidance and support in a timely manner.
All the proceeds will be donated to UNICEF to aid the children affected by the Haiti Earthquake.