Just like our volunteering opportunity for Raleigh Meals on Wheels, we decided to warm the hearts of even more senior citizens. This time at another Meals on Wheels location in Durham.The cards filled with heart-filling words and pictures, and the bracelets created with affection, we made it our goal to make even more happy hearts during this Valentine’s Day season. The cards and bracelets, dropped off at a location once again, were taken down to Durham Meals on Wheels this time. Through this event we were able to create a memorable Valentine’s Day experience for the senior citizens at Durham Meals on Wheels. Our volunteers’ artistic skills, designing beautiful cards with uplifting messages have warmed the hearts of our seniors. The handcraft bracelets that were created allow seniors to wear them as a reminder of the caring community that surrounds them. This initiative has created lasting memories and has brought joy to the lives of our cherished seniors. Together, we have made this Valentine's Day one for them to remember.

This season of love, VT Seva has decided to help out in our local community and create cards or bracelets to make for the senior citizens at Raleigh Meals on Wheels. Volunteers created cards filled with a thoughtful and loving message that warmed senior citizens’ hearts Additionally, volunteers had the opportunity/choice to create some bracelets for the seniors. Volunteers created beaded bracelets that the senior citizens were able to wear. This event not only engaged our volunteers in a heartfelt activity, but was also able to fill the hearts of all the senior citizens at Raleigh Meals on Wheels. The creativity and compassion shown by the creation of these items have brightened the day of seniors who may feel isolated or lonely. The heartfelt messages and handmade crafts have reminded seniors that they are cherished and remembered.

Starting the new year off strong with our first external volunteering event, we headed back to the Durham Rescue Mission Men’s Center to help make a difference in our community. Just like the many previous trips we have made to the Durham Rescue Mission’s Men’s Center, this one went extraordinarily. On January 27, 2024, our volunteers worked hard, serving lunches for the homeless throughout Durham and Wake County. Their hard-working efforts led to many individuals in need being fed and provided for. Volunteers also took part in crucial activities that helped the Center function smoothly. They were responsible for organizing, cleaning up, washing, drying, etc.

Striving to make the lives of our community better, we have taken up on an opportunity to show our love towards bone marrow patients. Trying to liven up bone marrow patients’ lives and have them feel a sense of joy, our volunteers have come together to create bracelets, bookmarks, and joke cards. These hand-made gifts by our volunteers have made the day for many patients. These gifts represent a sense of hope and lets patients know that the whole community is with them.

The Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam celebrates the marriage (kalyanam) between Goda Devi and Lord Sri MahaVishnu. JET Cary annually hosts this event for the community to come together to celebrate the occasion, and this year it was hosted at the Hindu Society of North Carolina. VT Seva Cary had 35 youth volunteers and 20 adult volunteers helping out at the event. Youth volunteers helped out at the registration desk, volunteer check-in, prasadam check-in, crowd greeting, crowd management, prasadam packing, and prasadam distribution. Adult volunteers helped with stage decoration and hall set up, prasadam packing, clean up, transportation, photography/videography, audio/video set up, parking, and volunteering in general. One of our biggest events of the year, volunteers stayed focused and were attentive throughout, making sure the event ran smoothly. With the help of all of our volunteers, the Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam was a huge success.

On the occasion of Thanksgiving, VT-SEVA Cary volunteers participated in the packing the lunch bags at Brown Bag Ministry. 14 volunteers have taken part in this activity. All the packed lunch bags have distributed to home less people across the wake county in Raleigh.

On November 18th & 19th, VT Seva Cary volunteers participated in a meal packing event organized by Rise Against Hunger in the journey to end World Hunger. More than 70 VT Seva volunteers ages ranging from 5 years old to adults, were able to give their time and be part of packing 250,000 meals this past weekend. It was eye opening to many volunteers to know how far their service will go and the impact this meal makes in the lives of less fortunate kids in some parts of the world. Kids go to school because they get the meal in school. If no meal…no education, if no education…no hope. It was an amazing experience to our volunteers to be part of this great cause that brings hope in the lives, all that starts with a meal. Rise Against Hunger reach out to remote, last-mile communities within hunger pockets designated “serious” or higher on the Global Hunger Index. They empower local communities and providing meals through local schools to incentive attendance and enable kids to obtain education.

VT Seva Cary conducted Halloween Candy drive this year also . All the collected candies dropped at Ronald McDonald's House-Durham. Our heartfull thanks to the volunteers & parents for the amazing donations. Your kindness will bring smiles to many faces and spread joy in our community.

For the October & November month, our VT-SEVA Cary volunteers participated in writing the Be Strong cards to Bone Marrow Patients. Volunteers creativity, compassion, and dedication shine through in the Be Strong Cards that have crafted for bone marrow patients. It's really generous that their time and talent to spread encouragement and support. All their efforts have made a meaningful difference and brought hope to those in need. All the cards were dropped at Amy's Ray of Sunshine is an organization that collects and delivers cards to bone marrow patients across the USA.Thank you for being a source of positivity and kindness!"

On November 4th ,VTSEVA Cary volunteers continued their service at Miracle League to support Special Need kids at the baseball tournament. Our youth volunteers paired up as a buddies to the players to encourage & helpi in different type of acts.

On November4th, VT Seva Cary youth volunteers had participated in the volunteering at the Town of Morrisville Green Day event. Volunteers helped the attendees where needed to recycle goods at different stations to ensure safe disposal. Each year, the Town of Morrisville hosts two Green Day events for community members to recycle goods that cannot be placed in residential recycling pickup and to dispose of hazardous or sensitive materials. These events are sponsored by the Public Works Department, the Sustainability Program and the Morrisville Envnvironment and Stormwater Committee, and they take place each spring and fall.

On November 4th ,VT Seva Cary youth volunteers participated in the volunteering at local Raleigh Marathon named as City of Oaks in helping out at one of the water Aid station where more than 7000 runners parctipated in it. Youth volunteers gave an outstanding support and dedication during the event. Their commitment and hard work at the Water Aid station made a significant difference in ensuring the success of the event and the well-being of the participants. Their selfless contribution as volunteers embodies the true spirit of community and service.

Over the past few years, VT Seva has connected with FS Series and we have volunteered at many of their events. On October 29, 2023, our volunteers took part in helping out at the FS Series - RDC Marathon. The volunteers worked together at a station on the runners route. Their responsibility was to distribute water and gatorade to the runners while they run, maintain a safe, organized area, and to cheer the runners on. Our volunteers played a vital role in making sure the event was well-organized and a positive experience for runners.

VT Seva Cary has partnered with the ASHA foundation to host a Halloween Hungama for Special Education kids! Our volunteers stepped up to help create an unforgettable Halloween experience for the kids. The volunteers helped children decorate paper lanterns with their artwork and helped run a parade around the vicinity holding all the lanterns up high, to spread awareness amongst all present. The ASHA foundation has said that they are truly indebted and grateful to all the volunteers for taking the time to help out for this wonderful event, and helping ASHA accomplish their mission one step at a time!

Miracle League is an organization that strikes down barriers and provides children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball. On October 14th, our volunteers visited the Durham location for the Miracle League and helped these children build friends, self-esteem, and be treated just like other athletes. VT Seva volunteers assisted players with special needs as ‘buddies’ and helped them play baseball. Whether they help a player hit the ball, catch a ball, run with them through the bases, or chop it up in the outfield, our volunteers made this experience memorable for all the children playing.Pleased with and appreciative of our service on October 14, we were invited back to volunteer for the Miracle League once again, this time in Cary. Our volunteers have been making a positive impact at the Miracle League events, showing their dedication to creating inclusive and memorable experiences for all participants. Just like they did in the past event, our volunteers were paired up with special needs players as a “buddy.” They helped the participants hit, go around bases, catch, etc., giving them the feeling of playing baseball. Our volunteers' hard work doesn’t go unnoticed as seen by our invite back and they continue to dedicate their time to make a positive impact in peoples’ lives.