PAST EVENT

VT Seva New Jersey volunteers assisted in Annual Prajna Day events at the Jeeyar Ashram. The following volunteers helped in Book Sales, Parking, Lemonade stand, VT Seva Mission and Activities, Food and Stage arrangements - Shrihan Kodati, Revanthika vatsavayi, Sumati Gurram, Praveen Gurram, Rashmi Gurram, Jamuna Puskur, Mural, Ananth Madabushi and Suchir Pabbati

PAST EVENT

𝐕𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 celebrated Father's r's Day with the dads in 3 senior centers in Livonia, MI. 45 volunteers came together and created 75 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 to wish them a happy Fathers day Cards have been distributed to 3 senior centers 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫, 𝐎𝐚𝐤𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 and they were so happy to receive the cards! This project was initiated by the Youth Board Member 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉.

PAST EVENT

It was a one-of-a-kind Volunteering event today at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan. We had a total of 17 number of enthusiastic Youth & Adults today. Our first task was to identify Dame's Rocket, one of the many invasive species, and pull them out throughout the trail. While one the trail Josh explained about several some commonly available plants, trees and Birds, as well as some rare species. We experienced vast variety of Mayapple plants, Common Yarrow, Foxgloves, and the Youth also tasted Wild Garlic/Wild Onions which was very interesting to all.

PAST EVENT

VT Seva youth volunteers participate in “Letters to sign” every month. Volunteers sign up every month to write up to 4 letters and mail them to the specified address which then reach the seniors. Volunteers write a letter or make cards following guidelines provided on their website.VT Seva has been participating in this activity since 2021 and seeing increased participation from youth volunteers every month. This activity is about providing support and making elders happy by writing letters to them. In this activity, volunteers take a few minutes, sit down and write a letter. They tell them a joke, share a riddle, share how their day went and let them know they are loved. It brings a connection to the person where the letter gets mailed and makes someone feel good when they receive it.

PAST EVENT

VTSeva Austin youth comes together to support the visually challenged and protect the environment by growing plants and fundraising. As part of the seeds for tomorrow, the youth board has taken up the challenge of not just growing plants themselves but encouraging the young kids to grow their own vegetable garden using the garden kits.

PAST EVENT

As a part of Environmental Sustainability effort and Climate Change Action , Volunteers took apart if the Green Initiative by taking shorter showers, conserving energy, etc. one volunteer wrote “During the green initiative activity, I take measures to reduce my carbon footprint and save as much of our resources as possible. Some ways I do this is by using natural light instead of turning on the lights in my room when daylight is still there, using the bus to go to and from school everyday rather than using personal transportation, and buying locally sourced food from stores such as Lucky's and Safeway rather than other food. Although these measures taken are small, they eventually add up in the long-term and end up reducing the amount of waste I produce in regards to the resources I have access to. I find these actions really important for our environment and our future so I do them gladly.”

PAST EVENT

What a wonderful evening on June 11, 2022 to celebrate multiple occassions 1. YB 3rd Anniversary 2. High School Senior Graduation 3. June Birthday Celebration 4. Walkathon Kickoff 50 + volunteers attend the event.

PAST EVENT

After almost a year and a half of no in-person activities being conducted, VT Seva Dallas resumed its volunteering at the North Texas Food Bank. We had about 35 volunteers show up as we packed over 6,319 pounds of making, resulting in over 1,395 bags of food for kids in need.

PAST EVENT

VT Seva Dallas volunteers visited both the Frisco Police and Frisco Fire departments as part of the monthly essential workers appreciation program. They delivered breakfast to the officers and got to have a chat with them regarding the recent events surrounding the school shooting in Uvalde. Overall, the event was a success as volunteers were able to broaden their knowledge on how the Frisco police department responded to the crisis in Uvalde, and how they plan on ensuring that the city of Frisco remains safe.

PAST EVENT

Few Volunteers from Chicago/Schaumburg area took some time from their first Monday (of summer vacation) for helping at Feed My Starving Children. Along with other volunteers, they helped pack 84 boxes, which can feed 49 kids an year!!

PAST EVENT

VT Seva and JET USA volunteers came together for a candlelight vigil for Uvalde elementary school shoot out victims. Here is a note shared by psychiatrist Dr. Thangada on the care we should be taking during these difficult times. It is another grieving time for the country. Many questions arise in our minds as we attempt to grapple with our emotions. Violent acts against innocent people and especially where the deaths of the children are involved it can evoke strong emotions among us. It is natural for us to experience multitude of feelings including blame, anger, fear, frustration, sadness, guilt, aggression, mistrust,and paranoia. The challenges of the above emotions may linger leading to compromise in one’s mental health. Under our current nation’s crisis of emotions, after the Tuesday’s school shooting tragedy, it is important to keep your daily routine, maintain adequate sleep wake schedule, minimize the repetition of viewing and re-reading the tragic news and prioritize to engage with others in positive activities. Most importantly take time aside and talk to your children and process their emotions with them regarding the school shooting. And if you are uncertain and uncomfortable to do so, it is recommended that the children see a mental health professional to assist them to deal with the tragedy of school shootings that are occurring. It is unfortunate that our nation is experiencing mistrust and fear when we send our children to school with the perception that they will be safe in their learning environments. We can come together and be strong and work together to advocate for implementation of mental health programs in schools to avoid similar tragedies and to assist with coping strategies for school communities and the parents in the aftermath. Let us do our part to keep our School communities safe by pushing for improved mental health resources for our students, teachers and families.

PAST EVENT

Jaisrimannarayana! Food is an important part of any celebration all over the world, regardless of culture or religion. It can unite and strengthen community bonds, and helps to maintain a common identity amongst a group of people. Under the lovely weather, a large number of local community members attended our 4-hour Dosa Day Event in a successful fundraiser for temple maintanence at the Jeeyar Ashramam. It was the first-time for many visitors to the temple and our Priest Pawanswamy welcomed them and introduced temple services. Prajna and VTSEVA information tables were well received by parents who showed very much interest in joining their kids. Visitors enjoyed the menu and had a great time. Their favorite was combo mini meal which had Upma, Pongal, Idli, and Dosa served with Sambar and Chutneys prepared at Asramam by Aparnaji and team. Kids enjoyed Mango Lassi and had great time playing around the trees and in the sand. All the funds raised are going towards temple maintenance. The event was successful due to commited volunteers. Thanks to all the volunteers who were involved in the event: Ramesh Thota, Balaji Bondalpati, Ananth Madabhushi, Giri Vedantam, Govind Thota, Sastri, Venkat Ramadugu, Pritvi Katikaneni, Peddanna Gumudavelli, Venkat Ramana Dingari, Mahesh Vemula, Raj Seelam, Ramakant Devanapalli, Devender Nayini, Mypalji Reddy, Praveen Gurram, Ravi Puskur, Murali Duggirala, Srinivas Shakelly, Vara Prasad Gottiparthi, Rudraraju, Sheshu Kodati , Dharani Achanta, Laxmi Lanka, Haritha Duggirala, Srilekha Joginipally, Madhuri Mydam, Deepthi, Meena Abburi, Sandhya Seelam, Satyavathi Ayyala, Sandhya Boyinpally, Bhanu Mallela, Madhavi Vedantam, Pallavi Shakelly, Malathi Somu, Madhavi Polkampally, Harini Neelagiri, Sreedevi Kilambi, Jyostna Jaligama, Swapna Naine, Padmalatha Balaji, Kavitha Vemula, Rajani Gottiparthi, Laxmi Vedidandi, Vijitha Devanapalli, Preethi Agarwal. VT SEVA Youth Volunteers include: Abijay, Sahasra, Shraddha, Saathvika, Aditya, Vikyat, Viswa, Aditya M, Srihan, Aditi. Youth Volunteer Sumathy sold her Paintings and raised money for VTSEVA schools at the event. Once again, thanks to the volunteers and attendees for making the event memorable and successful. Jaisrimannarayana Jamuna Puskur

PAST EVENT

Education for the blind and underprivileged is one of the major service pillars of VT Seva. Through the Hikes for a Cause fundraiser, we are fundraising for the Nethra Vidyalaya and are improving our own health at the same time. These hikes are every Sunday, every week of the summer and are on different trails each week and are for only one dollar. Our first hike was held on June 5th 2022, where we explored the Great hills park trail and saw many sights, and got back to nature during our Sunday morning.

PAST EVENT

Through the Hikes for a Cause fundraiser, we are fundraising for the Nethra Vidyalaya and are improving our own health at the same time. These hikes are every Sunday, every week of the summer and are on different trails each week

PAST EVENT

It was a great day of volunteering once again at Destined for Greatness Ford Wellness Center. Over 16 VT Seva Detroit volunteers displayed a great team effort and continuously worked so hard to sort and organize their donations she received from various people & few organizations. It was very disorganized and scattered everywhere initially but with the help of our wonderful Detroit volunteers we sorted out all clothes, toys, separated summer clothing based on genders, packed them all in big bags for distributions & neatly organized These will be distributed to help the homeless people and underprivileged & multiple families in the Central Detroit area.