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!

On Saturday, February 21st, VT Seva Houston volunteered at the Houston Council of the Blind’s monthly meeting. At the meeting, they assisting in setting up and organizing food and drinks in preparation for the meeting, serving food, and tidying the meeting place after the event. Our volunteers enjoyed this experience greatly and the opportunity to meet and get to know attendees from all walks of life. We look forward to staying connected with the HCB and supporting this wonderful organization. We are very grateful for the opportunity to connect with the HCB community. Instagram link: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FDVW8XUmj31t%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig_web_copy_link%26igsh%3DMzRlODBiNWFlZA%253D%253D%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEybUhvUzJaeHVTd2U5TXZDenNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4KIuRSLXU5ecCD_OP1BS8Bmw5wwsS8mlMiVRLwlDCdkOMpcIEaZbcm6TPBFw_aem_Hp1UQ-Npot6rTpt4ZWHcAw&h=AT4uJptZ6DKN7IQKtZ6IEZcJj6ZMorcovor6ZmFDS7m0JFFB20CZWC1rnwC-y2RRAUCgo3bB_BoyuGmGyiCPmrDnfC6R2bmQPuEoJAe7Jv6S5Sc5itQkz_I5kv7diVZ69-gxnhKMhfwe8ukAD8AoyvaB5nPoq0Sn&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT6Gw9QsnKgfxXdOW6CeLOL1VseX2Li9kNS9sLGR0MPV1FP2T0KCRRRMeP830RBuvun-YBFSPQZ-KyYAxJZGQPMTqSQKw2A4aY5M1utzrBoD96q0xbK6FgJIJ35p5LJxDU9yPBbdrdsxGF4cbxe8kki7pGdP6KMlqj5t1CaFIw

On Saturday, February 7th, VT Seva volunteers assisted the Arc of Katy organization. They assisted in placing mulch in the organization’s garden and cleaning the garden beds. Our volunteers also had the opportunity to remove dried stems and unwanted vegetation, helping to restore the space. In addition to clearing the garden, volunteers assisted in creating a drainage system to support the Arc’s sprinkler system. We hope this helped the Arc in distributing water among the garden plants more evenly to ensure the plants are hydrated well. We thank our volunteers for all their dedication and enthusiasm. A special thank you to Mr. Walt for providing us a wonderful opportunity to serve and contribute to the beautification of their garden.

On Saturday, January 18th, our VT Seva Houston volunteers had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the Houston Food. Together, we helped pack 13,681 meals, filling 18 pallets, and handling over 16,418 pounds of food. It was wonderful to see how much we can accomplish when we come together as a team. We are excited to return to the HFB soon! Instagram LInk: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTyDL7GD96U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

During January 2026, our youth volunteers of VT Seva Houston expressed their gratitude and appreciation to essential workers within their community for all their efforts and support. Seeing the smiles and joy as they received a token of gratitude was a highlight of each volunteer’s experience. Below, we showcase some of the acts of appreciation that our volunteers conveyed, along with Alekhya Sambaraj and Akshita Praveen. We hope to continue spreading joy and happiness within the Houston community!

A four week book drive was conducted between July 16th to August 10th, 2025. Books were dropped off at Books Between Kids, an organization supplying children’s books to at risk youth. We were able to donate 500+ children’s books! Donating books to Books Between Kids will help an at-risk child in Houston to begin building her or his very own library at home! Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTyLwXRj8NK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

As VT Seva Houston, we organized a community-wide candy drive in the weeks following Halloween, collecting unopened candy donations from local neighbourhoods. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to gather over 200 pounds of candy, transforming post-holiday treats into a meaningful act of service. All donated candy was delivered to Ronald McDonald House Charities, where it helped bring comfort and joy to children and families staying there during challenging times. This initiative reflects VT Seva Houston’s commitment to service, sustainability, and community support, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making this drive a success.

On Saturday, November 8th, our VT Seva Houston volunteers had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the Houston Food. We deeply thank all our volunteers who volunteered for this opportunity. Together, we helped pack 5,834 meals, filling 7 pallets, and handling over 7,000 pounds of fresh fruit. It was wonderful to see how much we can accomplish when we come together as a team. We are excited to return to the HFB soon! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14PoGspfUeT/ 1 m

On Saturday, November 1st, VT Seva Houston youth and adult volunteers supported The Arc of Katy, an organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers helped refresh and reorganize various areas, including cleaning storage spaces and removing weeds to prepare the garden for fall planting. They also enjoyed assisting with the vegetable patches. It was a meaningful and rewarding experience for all. We extend our sincere thanks to The Arc of Katy and to Mr. Walt for his guidance and support throughout the service activity.Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRGXkGcEfVE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

A heartfelt thank you to all Vt Seva Houston volunteers for the wonderful participation and support at this year’s White Cane Safety Day March on October 11th,2025! Your dedication, teamwork, and cheerful spirit made the event a true success. Despite the tricky route and early start, our youth volunteers showed incredible enthusiasm and leadership every step of the way. Your energy, smiles, and willingness to help truly reflected the spirit of seva (selfless service). A special note of appreciation to all the parents and adult volunteers for your coordination, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes support—it made all the difference. Together, we not only supported an important cause but also showed how compassion and community can light the way. With gratitude and pride, VT Seva Houston Team Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17PZ2kPKmU/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQsXymdj6Gd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

On October 4th, 2025, VT SEVA Houston members volunteered at the Susan G. Komen Race, an organization that supports women who battle breast cancer and honoring those who have lost their fight. Our volunteers assisted participants by passing out water and fruits, while enthusiastically cheering them on throughout the course. Despite the early morning start, our members’ dedication and enthusiasm never wavered. As an organization committed to service, VT Seva strives to make a positive impact to uplift communities and extend heartfelt support to those affected by breast cancer. Through our efforts, we reaffirm our promise to support and uplift women battling breast cancer and to continue standing for compassion, care, and community. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17SiifSmQp/ Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP2HyARjx8U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

On September 27th, VT Seva Houston hosted a Childhood Cancer Awareness Seminar at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, bringing together community members to learn about the impact of childhood cancer and the importance of early detection and support. The seminar featured two distinguished cancer specialists, Dr. Santhosshi Narayanan, Integrative Oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Hima Boppidi, Doctor of Oncology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, who shared valuable insights on cancer prevention and Paediatric oncology, recent advancements in treatment, and strategies for recognizing early warning signs. Their talks provided both medical knowledge and preventive insights, helping attendees understand the underlying causes of childhood cancer and ways to promote early detection and healthier lifestyles. The event drew a turnout of about 30 participants, including families, students, and local volunteers, who engaged in thoughtful discussion and an interactive Q&A session. The program was led by three youth leaders of VT Seva Houston: Srisamhita, Anisha, and Siddharth, whose coordination and dedication ensured a successful and meaningful event. Their efforts reflected VT Seva’s mission of inspiring service, compassion, and youth-driven community involvement. Overall, the seminar served as a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness, early intervention, and collective support in the fight against childhood cancer. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JUabVTHdN/ Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQFsB-jD-aG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

VT Seva Houston – New Youth Board Orientation & A:lo:k Annual Event Kick-Off! 🌟 On Sunday, Sept 21st, VT Seva Houston proudly welcomed its new youth board members and launched preparations for the upcoming A:lo:k Annual Event. The kick-off meeting brought together 30 enthusiastic students and adults 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓, all joining forces to plan and finalize details for the big celebration on December 21st 📅. Their passion, teamwork, and dedication shined throughout the session 💪✨. We can’t wait to see their efforts light up the stage 🎭 and make this year’s event a truly memorable one!

Big thanks to our VT Seva volunteers who volunteered to the Houston Food Bank on September 6th, 2025! Together we packed 9,626 oranges, filled 11 pallets, and moved over 11,000 pounds of fresh fruit in just one day—what an awesome team effort!

On August 2nd, 2025, VT Seva Houston volunteers volunteered with the Arc Of Katy organization, a special organization that helps foster kindness and community within people with intellectual disabilities. Our volunteers took part in various activities, such as washing buses and providing assistance with vacuuming the vehicles in order to provide a cleaner and tidier place for kids to sit inside. Volunteers also wiped down windows with towels and removed dirt as well as pulling weeds from the mini garden!. During the vehicle washing, Mrs. Sherry, one of the leaders of the Arc of Katy organization, explained to the volunteers about the Arc’s purpose and goal, while the VT Seva volunteers shared their goals and purpose in return. It was a fantastic learning experience for everyone. We would like to convey special thanks to Mr. Walt for assisting the volunteers with the equipment and to Mrs. Sherry for introducing us further to the organization and providing a wonderful opportunity to volunteer with the Arc.