Huge cheers for our young VT Seva stars Mihir, Arjun, Advik & Vasishth who knocked it out of the park this weekend! These young dedicated volunteers combined their love for sports and service by hosting a special fundraising event and served as powerful voices for change. Boys presented the VT Seva mission, highlighting how we empower underprivileged and visually challenged students. They shared how community support provides vital nutrition to children in tribal and blind schools. .

VT Seva Maryland is proud to be part of Adopt-a-Road Cleanup Initiative on April 11th 2026 Anwesha Parida and Akul Pallerla our Youth Leads led event. Anwesha describes her experience as below, I am proud to be part of the Adopt-a-Road cleanup initiative through VT Seva, contributing to a cleaner and greener community. This experience has been truly fulfilling, bringing together volunteers with a shared commitment to care for our environment. Along with Akul Pallerla, I had the opportunity to help coordinate this initiative. It was inspiring to see everyone come together with such enthusiasm and dedication.Equipped with safety vests, gloves, and trash bags, we worked as a team to clean our adopted road. This effort not only helped improve the surroundings but also reinforced the importance of keeping our public spaces clean and sustainable. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Prashamsa aunty, Srinivas Putthana uncle, and Deepa Parida my mom for lending a helping hand and supporting us throughout the activity. Your encouragement truly made a difference.Being part of this initiative reflects the core values of VT Seva—volunteerism, environmental responsibility, and giving back to the community. I look forward to continuing such efforts and making a positive impact together. Team's collective efforts helped make our surroundings cleaner and healthier for everyone. The enthusiasm and teamwork shown by the children and parents truly made a positive impact. We look forward to organizing more such initiatives to continue promoting community responsibility and environmental awareness.

VT Seva Houston launched its annual 2026 Walking for the Beat campaign on February 21st and concluded our campaign with our walkathon on March 21st. We would like to deeply thank you all the individuals who laced up their sneakers for our walkathon! It was an incredible day of community and spirit. Our youth began with sharing a little bit about heart health, leading some exercises in preparation for the walkathon. Subsequently, we began the walkathon! We completed the walkathon with a fun kahoot on heart health! We had an amazing turnout with 30+ participants hitting the pavement to support our mission. Thanks to your energy and the generosity of our supporters, we successfully raised over $500! These funds will go directly towards supporting the American Heart Association, where we hope to make meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Whether you walked the full distance, cheered from the sidelines, or donated, you made this possible. Let’s keep this momentum going!

VT Seva Maryland Hosts Successful 3rd Annual SAMATHA Science Fair Competition! VT Seva Maryland's Youth Advisor, Mridula Vasudevan, successfully led the 3rd Annual SAMATHA Science Fair Competition on March 22, 2026. Below is a detailed account of the event, highlighting its impact, growth, and the collective efforts of students, volunteers, sponsors, and the community. Event Summary To begin with, on March 22nd, from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, VT Seva Maryland proudly hosted its 3rd Annual SAMATHA Science Fair. The event was a remarkable success, bringing together seventy student participants and over two hundred attendees, including families, STEAM organizations, and volunteers. What made this year especially notable was the level of innovation and effort demonstrated by participants across all grade levels. Students presented a wide range of creative and thoughtful projects, showcasing not only scientific knowledge but also critical thinking and real world application. The average score of 39.5 out of 50 further reflected the outstanding quality, creativity, and dedication that each participant brought to the competition. We are pleased to share the list of Winners/Runners: Pre-K: Viraj Venuturimilli (1), Daksh Sharma (2), Jaitra Danturti (3) Kindergarten: Adhrith Navalgund and Ronin Valpadasu (1), Ayaan Garg (2), Avyaan Nasini (2), Mihira Anjali Muddada and Veda Gupta Boorugu (3) Grades 1 to 3: Tejas Anand (1), Varuni Vijai, Samritha Krishnanand, and Magilini Balakumar Sindhu (2), Jay Gupta Boorugu and Vihaan Muddada (2), Anvith Komperla (3), Radhika Raghavendra (3) Grades 4 to 5: Samarth Sinha (1), Srivatsav Ponnuru, Eshaan Dasa, and Sridatta Kakkireni (2), Ayaansh Bejgam and Surya Muddam (2), Samhitha Sri Kosana and Devayani Sharma (3), Tanushree Bonla and Avighnya Krishnaswamy Rajashekar (3) Grades 6 to 8: Ishaan Krishnan (1), Pranay Swaminathan (2), Parikrithi Bonla (3) High School: Aditya Samarth Community Partners and Sponsors In addition to participants and volunteers, the event was enriched by the presence of community partners and organizations who shared their knowledge and engaged with students in meaningful ways. Teja Pusunuri – Financial Advisor at AATS Financial A knowledgeable financial advisor who works to guide families and individuals in making informed financial decisions Provided insight into financial literacy and planning, helping students and families understand the importance of managing resources and planning for the future The RAY Foundation Founded by Anvi Chaturvedi and Tanvi Chaturvedi, this youth led organization focuses on service, leadership, and community impact As young leaders, Anvi and Tanvi have worked to create opportunities for students to engage in community service and leadership initiatives, encouraging youth involvement and social responsibility Their presence highlighted the importance of youth driven initiatives and inspired younger students to take leadership roles in giving back Youth Climate Institute An organization dedicated to empowering youth to take action on climate change through education, leadership, and community projects Focuses on sustainability, environmental awareness, and hands on learning experiences Vivia Chipley – Volunteer Led an interactive water filtration activity with students Helped students understand the importance of clean water, sustainability, and simple scientific solutions to real world problems Together, these partners added another layer of learning to the event, connecting science fair concepts to real world applications and community impact. Youth Leader Contributions In addition, several youth led initiatives took place during the event, further enriching the experience and highlighting the spirit of service within VT Seva. These efforts combined community impact with education and awareness. Divya Putthana – President of Healthcare Branch & President of Social Media “My experience making the forget me not flowers during the science fair was amazing. We got to educate many people about why we do this act of service and how much the veterans do for us. Seeing everyone come together to make the flowers was inspiring and great. It was a wonderful experience overall!” Tejasvi Divi – President of Environmental Branch “Our plant sale at the science fair was a meaningful success, raising $47 for VT Seva. The funds will go toward supporting a school for the visually challenged, helping provide meals for students with visual impairments. The event brought together environmental awareness and community service, showing how a simple project can make a positive impact. We’re very grateful for everyone who stopped by to support our sale and donated for the cause!” Manasvi Divi – President of Education Branch “Our science fair book sale recently has raised $41 for VT Seva, with proceeds going toward supporting schools for the visually challenged. Every contribution, big or small, made a difference, and we’re grateful to everyone who stopped by, donated, or spread the word. Looking forward to growing this effort even more next time!” Feeding Hope Maryland Team Mrs. Shwetha Sannenalli, Keerthi Siripurapu and Anwesha Parida Hosted a henna stand during the event while also spreading awareness about their mission Engaged with parents and attendees to share their cause and encourage community involvement Together, these initiatives showed how student leadership can extend beyond academics and create meaningful contributions to the community. Acknowledgments Equally important, the success of this event was made possible by the strong support from parents, volunteers, and organizers. Their guidance and encouragement played a key role from preparation to execution, helping create a welcoming and organized environment for everyone involved. Thank You Judges! We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our distinguished panel of judges, whose expertise and thoughtful feedback greatly enhanced the experience for all participants: Dr. Bharathi Subramaniasiva Associate Professor of Physics and experienced STEM educator with a strong focus on hands on learning Mrs. Rebecca Clark Dedicated CTE teacher who continues to inspire students through resilience and commitment Dr. Balamurugan Kuppusamy Associate Scientist and accomplished researcher with extensive publications and mentorship experience Dr. Mahesh Aitha Translational scientist and community leader advocating for STEM education Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor AI product leader focused on improving healthcare systems and long time VT Seva volunteer Their time, dedication, and insights played an important role in recognizing and encouraging student achievement. Thank You Volunteers! Finally, we would like to sincerely thank all the VT Seva Maryland youth and adult volunteers who played an integral role in organizing and conducting this event: Youth Leaders: Akanksha Subramaniam Divya Putthana Tejasvi Deivi Manasvi Divi Mikaela Abobar Taara Vasudevan Anwesha Parida Inika Keranahalli Akul Pallerla Misha Nabel Keerthi Siripurapu Vishan Das Mukkapally Youth Volunteers: Saanvi Chaithra S. Deethya B. Anvi G. Additional volunteers who contributed their time and effort Adult Volunteers: Mr. Srinivasa Putthana Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan Mrs. Swetha Sananelli Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram Their support with setup, coordination, guiding participants, and cleanup ensured that the event ran smoothly from start to finish. Commitment to STEAM Education Looking ahead, the SAMATHA Science Fair continues to highlight the incredible talent within our community while reinforcing VT Seva Maryland’s commitment to promoting STEAM education. The continued growth of this initiative reflects the dedication of students, families, and volunteers working together to inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Best regards, Mridula Vasudevan VT Seva Maryland Youth Advisor and Coordinator of the Annual SAMATHA Science Fair

On March 15th, 2026, VT Seva Cary volunteers assisted the FS Series Marathon, supporting runners throughout the morning. Our 10 youth volunteers and 2 adult volunteers arrived early to set up tables and prepare refreshments despite the cold conditions. As runners passed through the rest area, volunteers efficiently handed out water and Gatorade, ensuring a smooth flow without slowing participants down. Throughout the event, the team demonstrated strong coordination by rotating roles and maintaining energy during peak moments. Volunteers also helped with cleanup at the end, leaving the area organized. Their proactiveness, teamwork, and dedication contributed to a successful event while supporting the local running community.

On March 27th, 2026, VT Seva Cary volunteers assisted at a Miracle League event, supporting children with special needs as they participated in baseball activities. Our 7 youth volunteers took part in the event, which was organized into two sessions, both running successfully. Volunteers worked closely with the children, helping them play, stay engaged, and enjoy their favorite sport in a supportive and inclusive environment. Through their encouragement and participation, our volunteers helped ensure that each child felt seen, valued, and included. This event was a meaningful experience for everyone involved, highlighting the importance of inclusion, compassion, and community impact.

On Saturday, April 4th, VT Seva Houston volunteers spent the day assisting The Arc of Katy, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The volunteers assisted in cleaning and tidying the facility’s transportation buses — vacuuming the interiors, wiping down surfaces, and washing the exteriors. Beyond the buses, the team carefully weeded the pavilion area and the garden, helping restoring them to a more neat condition. Our volunteers enjoyed giving back to the community. This experience helped foster teamwork, compassion, and a sense of shared purpose among everyone involved. VT Seva Houston extends its heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Sarah and Mr. Walt for providing this wonderful opportunity to serve. Their guidance and support made the day very memorable.

The VT SEVA MN team and youth volunteers recently organized a community donation drive, delivering a significant collection of winter essentials to the Sharing and Caring Hands center in Minnesota. The team successfully gathered and delivered a total of 89 jackets, 30 hats, and 15 pairs of gloves.

On April 4th and 5th, 2026, VT Seva Cary volunteers played a key role in supporting the USA National Throwball Championship hosted by Net Sports. Across six shifts, 36 youth volunteers worked tirelessly to help with court setup, taping guidelines, establishing boundaries, keeping score, line refereeing, managing sidelines, and assisting with food distribution for players and volunteers. On April 4th, volunteers focused on court preparations and observing pre-match conferences, ensuring the event started smoothly and efficiently. During the matches, they actively participated in scoring and sideline management, completing a total of 8 matches during their shifts. On April 5th, volunteers helped set up seating for the 3rd place and final matches, tracked scores as line referees, and assisted with lunch for all teams and volunteers. Throughout both days, volunteers showed initiative, adaptability, and teamwork, taking on tasks as needed and supporting staff to relieve extra responsibilities. Their contributions ensured that the tournament ran efficiently, matches were executed smoothly, and participants had a positive experience. Overall, the volunteers’ dedication and hard work significantly enhanced the success of the championship while providing them with an engaging opportunity to contribute to the community and large-scale sporting events.

VT Seva Maryland hosts their Annual SAMATHA 3rd Public speaking event on April 4th 2026 at the Regional Urbana Library. Rohan Putthana our Youth Volunteer successfully led the event. A message from Rohan, The public speaking event was a grand success, and it was wonderful to see so many kids participate with confidence and enthusiasm. I sincerely thank all the volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes to make this event possible. A special appreciation goes to the judges Srinivas Putthana , Shwetha Sannenalli and Prashamsa Muppavaram for their time, encouragement, and valuable feedback. I am also grateful to the parents for their constant support and motivation for the children. Your encouragement helped create a positive and inspiring environment for every participant. The energy and dedication shown by the children truly made this event memorable. We look forward to organizing more such events in the future to continue building confidence and communication skills in our youth. Congratulations to all the kids who participated and won the competition in all categories. Youth Volunteers names, Divya Putthana Inika Keranahalli Akul Pallerla Arjun Chintalapati Joshua

VT Seva Chicago conducted waste water treatment plant tour on 04/03/26 with 11 volunteers participating. We visited the plant in Deerfield. We got a "behind-the-scenes" look at how our waste water goes from raw intake to crystal clear. It was such an interesting and eye-opening tour about what it takes to treat water that we consume and waste every day and the resources it takes to run the facility and amount of water that's treated each day. Supervisor there, guided the tour of the facility. He explained the full process very well and answered all of our questions clearly. It was amazing to see how waste water becomes clean water again. He also gave us the tour of their lab and went over more of the technical details. This tour did leave an impact on each one of us about how much water gets wasted every day and how many resources are needed to clean it again!!! Thanks everyone who were able to join the tour and get educated about water!

On April 3rd, 2026, VT Seva Cary volunteers assisted at the Durham Rescue Mission, helping prepare clothing donations for an upcoming Easter event. Our 3 youth volunteers and 1 adult volunteer worked together to sort and hang up 4 large boxes of clothes, ensuring they were organized and ready for distribution. The event ran smoothly as volunteers quickly found their roles and worked diligently throughout, balancing efficiency with care. All volunteers felt satisfied with their contributions, as the tasks were both engaging and meaningful. Through their teamwork and dedication, our volunteers helped support the community by preparing essential items for those in need, reinforcing VT Seva’s mission of service and compassion.

On a day traditionally marked by reflection and sacrifice, the VT Seva North Jersey volunteers turned their devotion into action. Our team organized a grassroots canning drive, stepping out into the community with a simple goal: to be a voice for the women and children supported by Project Mamatha. There is a quiet beauty in "canning"—it is one of the most humble forms of service. It requires our volunteers to stand for hours, to speak with strangers, and to gracefully accept every contribution, no matter how small. Our youth and adult volunteers did this not for recognition, but out of a deep-seated passion to make a difference. Every conversation held at a storefront and every dollar placed in a green can was a testament to the fact that when we serve with a humble heart, the community responds with overwhelming kindness. Inspirational Reflection "We believe that true service doesn't always happen on a stage; often, it happens on a sidewalk, one smile at a time. By giving up their holiday to stand for a cause, our North Jersey volunteers showed that Seva (Service) is not just what we do—it is who we are. We are incredibly grateful to the residents of Parsippany and beyond who stopped to listen, to learn, and to give. Together, we are building a legacy of care that will shine through the Mamatha 2026 event and beyond."

Jai Srimannarayana! With our Acharya's blessings and all your well wishes, we conducted our annual event - UTSAV on March 29th. We had more than 200 donors who attended the celebrations! We broke many of the first times with this event. The whole event was completely organized and run by youth volunteers under the guidance of Santhi garu, Kiran garu and all the Seattle EB! Youth volunteers highlighted all the great work they are doing within the local community. We had representatives from Sound Foundations NW who were the special guests for the night. This is the same organization where we were fortunate to support building 4 Tiny Homes so far through our Unity Cup cricket tournament we conduct every summer. On the global front, volunteers talked about their own personal journey including summer internships and highlighted all the 2025 achievements of Nethra and Jeeyar Gurukulam kids! It was wonderful to see kids reflect on their own personal journey through all this years in VT Seva and how they are able to connect to the impact they are creating locally and globally. Also for the first time, we created a web app specific to this event. Photos and Reactions feature were the big hit! You can see the app in action here: https://utsav-eight.vercel.app/. Event though, we typically don't do any fundraising at this donor appreciation event, some of the donors pledged through the app! Thank you!

On March 29th, 2026, VTSEVA Cary sent 12 Youth Volunteers to assist in the Sita Rama Kalyanam, hosted by a joint operative of JET and NATS. Volunteers mainly assisted with crowd control, food handling, and promotion of VTSEVA specific material, including VTSEVA Cary’s Walkathon, VTSEVA’s Feeding Hope Program, and VTSEVA’s Volunteering Program. Volunteers maintained dedication to their assigned tasks with motivation, going above and beyond to make sure the event was a success. A majority of the audience members stated that all three groups were doing admirable work, even asking for photos. We want to thank both JET and NATS for this wonderful opportunity volunteering for this kalyanam and we hope to have more like-minded opportunities in the future!