VT SEVA
Boston Chapter
Volunteering Together For Service
Home
Contact
VTSeva Home
April 6, 2013
Monthly Health Education Series - Cancer Prevention and Screening
As part of the Monthly Health Education series, VT Seva organized a lecture on Cancer Prevention and Screening. Dr Ronjay Rakkhit, a famous oncologist, educated the audience about the various trends in cancer and the most common cancers among men and women. Dr Rakkhit instructed the audience about various symptoms they need to watch for and the timely tests they should undergo for cancer screening. He also gave the audience some life style tips to keep cancer at bay.
Ms Kusum Vyas, founder of The Living Planet Foundation, was invited as the chief guest for the seminar. She congratulated VT Seva, Houston on all the wonderful work that the organization is doing towards promoting volunteerism in the community.
The seminar was very well-received by one and all who looked forward to future medical seminars. You can download Dr Rakkhit's presentation
here
For more photos from the event, please
click here
March 9, 2013
Food Fair at the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry
Bright and early on a Saturday morning, thirteen Prajna students and VT SEVA youth volunteers along with several parents participated in a Food Fair benefitting those in financial crisis. Basic food items were packed and delivered to families by volunteers. The youth were quite busy and happy about being able to serve the community.
There was much enthusiasm from the youth and adult volunteers about continuing such service to the community in the future!
For more photos from the event, please
click here
March 3, 2013
Introduction of VT SEVA to Prajna Houston students
On March 3, 2013 Prajna Houston coordinators officially initiated VT SEVA into its regular curriculum for Prajna students. During this first session VT SEVA Houston volunteers were at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple to speak with all students from Prajna Modules 3 through 5 about VT SEVA.
The session began with an introduction to the organization. Students were asked about what "service" meant to them with several enthusiastic replies. VT SEVA volunteers spoke about the importance of contributing by helping at home, service to their schools and temples, and service to the community at large. This was followed by a video on VT SEVA and its various service activities which was very well received by Prajna students and parents. Students and parents were informed about registering for the President Volunteer Service Award.
The session ended with a fun game about various VT SEVA activities in which all the students participated with great zeal. Once a month VT SEVA will have a session during Prajna classes discussing various topics pertaining to VT SEVA's four main pillars. VT SEVA Houston will also be conducting a monthly community service activity for Prajna students to participate. It was great to see that Prajna students and parents alike are all ready to raise a helping hand towards the community!
March 2, 2013
Monthly Health Education Series - Success without stress
On March 2nd, the second of the Monthly Health Education series took place. Mr. Vivek Rajan, Art of Living foundation teacher, spoke with the audience about managing stress through breathing and meditative techniques as well as the proper perspective on stress in our daily lives. Mr. Rajan instructed on three breathing techniques, each with its unique effect--whether it be increasing our energy levels or calming the mind.
The seminar was very well-received by one and all who looked forward to future medical seminars.
For more photos from the event, please
click here
Feb 2, 2013
Monthly Health Education Series - Weight Management and Nutrition--A Medical and Holistic Approach
VT SEVA Houston has initiated a Monthly Health Education Series which occurs on the first Saturday of each month. Our first of the series on February 2, 2013 was a seminar on weight management and nutrition from the medical and holistic perspectives.
The seminar began with a very informative talk by Dr. Srinivasachary Tamirisa, M.D., F.A.C.O.G a well-known OB/Gyn to the community who discussed the topic of hormonal interplay in weight control. This was followed by a thought-provoking talk by Intergrative Medicine Practitioner Dr. Richarita Gundlapalli who spoke about a holistic approach to nutrition and weight management. Finally, Dr. Deepa Vasudevan, family practitioner and Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School, gave a very enlightening talk on weight and health implications.
Informational brochures regarding various topics in weight management such as maintaining a healthy diet, calorie counting, blood glucose testing and diabetes control were displayed for the audience to take with them. A representative from Novamax, manufacturer of blood glucose monitors, was present with several informational brochures on diet and diabetes as well as free blood glucose monitors for all. The talks were followed by a question and answer session for the audience. The seminar was well attended with much interest and enthusiasm from the attendees.
The physician speakers were then recognized by VT SEVA volunteers with the presentation of certificates of appreciation. VT SEVA thanks the board members of Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple for graciously providing the venue for this series.
For more photos from the event, please
click here
Nov 17, 2012
Hurrincane Sandy Flood Relief
With a deep sense of urge, Houston VT SEVA volunteers rallied together to hold a relief effort to raise money for victims in need. Many volunteers and donors had personal connections as family and friends in the northeast were affected by the storm. The event was held at the Ashthalakshmi Temple Diwali Raas-Garba event.
A booth was set up with posters and volunteers talked to the attendees about the disastrous impact of the storm and the different areas of need. The funds raised were donated to the American Red Cross.
Nov 17, 2012
VT Seva volunteers sort food supplies at Food Bank
While most children were out enjoying the unusually warm weather in the month of November, several Houston VT SEVA volunteers were working hard sorting out donated food supplies at the East FortBend Human Needs Ministry.
Close to the holidays, there were a surplus of boxes, and one by one they were meticulously sorted out by type of product and date. The volunteers really enjoyed themselves knowing that their physical efforts went to helping those in need.
For more photos from the event, please
click here
Nov 10, 2012
VT Seva volunteers Spread Awareness
On the evening of November 10, 2012 a crowd of more than 7000 people gathered for the ZEE Music Masala Diwali Mela in Sugar Land, Texas. The VT SEVA Houston Chapter arranged for a table at the event.
While some VT SEVA volunteers were working together to educate passersby about VT SEVA and its activities, other volunteers were conducting fun-filled games and activities with prizes. Many stopped by to learn about VT SEVA and sign up to become volunteers. Table volunteers were of all ages with students from middle school and high school to adult volunteers. It proved to be great fun for all!!! We look forward to many such events in the future working together for a wonderful cause.
For more photos from the event, please
click here
APRIL 22, 2012
Earth Day 2012: Nurturing Plants, Earthday Quizzes & more
On a warm, sunny day in Houston VT SEVA volunteers and Houston's Prajna children assembled for Earth Day Activities at the Sri Asthalakshmi Temple. About 100 children and adults gathered together to participate in Earth Day activities. The event began with an introduction to the Earth Day Program by Master of Ceremonies and VT SEVA Co-Branch Director Ranga Kandala. This was followed by a presentation on VT SEVA by Co-Branch Director Sahitya Gadiraju. VT SEVA volunteer Aparna Tamirisa then spoke about the history and significance of Earth Day and conducted a series of Earth Day quizzes with prizes for the children. The program concluded with a speech by VT SEVA Webmaster Vijay Jilledimudi where he introduced the next activity of the day, the Nurture-a-Plant Program. He also introduced all attendess to the VT SEVA Adopt-a-Street Program and invited everyone to join VT SEVA Houston's summer activities.
As part of the Nurture-a-Plant program kids brought pots to plant vegetable and flower seeds. The soil and seeds were provided by VT SEVA. This program was very well received with great enthusiasm from the children and parents. The idea of the Nurture-a Plant Program is for the children and their families to nurture their plant to maturity with the eventual goal of creating a VT SEVA greenhouse.
Oct 16th 2011
Run with the Bulls - 5K Run for Netra Vidyalaya
On a bright and early Sunday morning VT Seva, Houston joined 3500 runners and 1000 spectators in a 5K run, hosted by The Houston Texans and The Methodist Hospital - everyone raising money for their own causes. Thanks to your efforts, the VT Seva Houston chapter was able to reach its goal of $20,000 raised (with some extra dollars to spare). The funds will be used towards schools for the visually impaired and towards obtaining a permanent mobile diagnostic laboratory - Two of the main areas VT Seva focuses on.
The Houston chapter of VT Seva also continues to support charity efforts here in Houston.
We donated $10,000 to The Star of Hope Mission, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless men, women, and their children.
We organized a free health fair. The focus being screening and education.
We organized a food drive and donated 500 lbs of food to the Houston food bank
We have many projects planned for the future and we hope to count on your continued support. Together, we can achieve a better life for all!