Search specific Blog

VT Seva proudly celebrates the 5th year of Tribute to Bharath , a vibrant initiative that honors India’s cultural heritage, diversity, and unifying spirit. Over the past five years, this project has inspired youth to discover the beauty of India’s traditions, history, and values, fostering national pride and togetherness. A special highlight of Tribute to Bharath  is the way it bridges generations. By connecting youth with elders to share stories, wisdom, and experiences, the project builds a living chain of continuity, respect, and shared purpose. As we mark this milestone, we celebrate not just the journey so far, but also the collective commitment to carrying India’s timeless legacy forward. This year, VT Seva Detroit marked India’s 79th Independence Day  with a special series highlighting Heritage sites and landmarks from all 28 states of India every day on the month of August , a journey that reflects the nation’s depth, diversity, and timeless beauty. VT Seva Maryland celebrated with daily posters showcased diverse historic sites throughout the month of August. VT Seva Columbus celebrated the week of Independence Day by sharing posters about Indian Freedom Fighters. VT Seva Detroit - Tribute to Bharath VT Seva Maryland - Tribute to Bharath VT Seva Columbus - Tribute to Bharath We want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the following Youth Leaders who have made significant contributions to this project: Detroit: Project Led by: Oviya Jaisankar Video: Oviya Jaisankar Reviewers & Advertisers: Advithi Kothapalli, Amogh Mavatoor, Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sri Ram Karnati & Siddarth Ram Poster Creators: Advithi Kothapalli, Amogh Mavatoor, Arav Patel, Avni Patel, Hiba Zyna, Kaustubh Dingari, Kushi Kanumuri, Nithya Bose, Oviya Jaisankar, Rachana Raghunathan, Raja Ameya Yeddula, Rishabh Mavatoor, Saanvi Rameswarapu, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Sanyog Iyengar, Shreeya Sahu, Shreya Shetty, Shruthi Adduri, Shruthika Pallapothu, Siddarth Ram, Swara Rege, and Valli Nagamalli Maryland: Project Led by: Kaviya Karthick Kumar Video Makes & Edits: Mridula Vasudevan Reviewers and advertisers: Mridula Vasudevan, Mahati Konduri, Akanksha Subramaniam, Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan, and Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram Poster creators: Akanksha Subramaniam, Mahati Konduri, Akul Pallerla, Aryan Krishna, Taara Vasudevan, Bhavya Yarlagadda, Anwesha Parida, Mikaela Abobor, Arjun Chintalapati, Vivek Konduri, Rohan Putthana, Divya Putthana, Inika Keranahalli, Aarushi Srivatsava, Mridula Vasudevan, Kaviya Karthick Kumar, Dheechu Karthick Kumar, Anmol Tiwari, Anay Pallerla, Pushpak Keesara, Joshua Cabral, Abhinav Komperla, Aditya Tiwari, Krish Ragav, Isha Vaish, Arjav Gupta, Dakshaya Thiyagu, Adithiya Venkatakrishnan, Sana Shenoy, Sreedhav Jayaraman, and Shambhav Jayaraman Columbus: Project Led by: Maithili Govindam Video: Maithili Govindam Poster Creators: Maithili Govindam, Pallavi Vutukuri, Shrikesh Muskula

On August 17th, 2025 , a heartwarming bake sale was hosted by young changemakers Isha and Kanali , along with their supportive parents, right in front of their home at Liberty Park subdivision in Novi . The event, held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM , brought together friends, neighbors, and community members for a noble cause — supporting the education of the visually challenged students of Nethra Vidyalaya.   The menu had a delightful spread, featuring fresh brownies, refreshing lemonade, crispy masala vadas, and piping hot masala chaai. Each item was served with love, and every bite carried the spirit of giving.   Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the community, the bake sale turned out to be a remarkable success, raising enough funds to support the education of 2 visually challenged children for an entire year .   This event stands as a shining example of how small acts of kindness, when embraced by a caring community, can create a big impact. Kudos to Isha, Kanali , and their parents for inspiring us all with their dedication and compassion!   Photos from the event: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VvZBp3wrXSc7saqe6

VTSeva Cary Men's Volleyball Tournament on September 27, 2025 at 6:30 AM!! VT Seva Cary is organizing Men's Volleyball tournament. Please read the below rules and register. Event Address: North Cary Park, 1100 Norwell Blvd, Cary, NC 27513 Contact us at (919) 454-6348 for organizers of this event or (919) 402-3921 for VTSeva. Proceeds from this tournament will go to Feeding students of our schools in India for visually challenged children. VT Seva supports Schools for visually challenged students in India such as Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. Please click on the Regiter button at the bottom of the page after reading all the rules. 1. This is open to all. All are welcome. 2. Team captains are responsible for their team behavior on court and off court. 3. Captains are responsible to abide by these rules at all stages of the tournament and if there are any concerns please report it to the tournament organizing committee. 4. Organizers will try to resolve in a more amicable manner and also by sticking to the rules created for this tournament. 5. Rosters: need signed prior to the team’s first game. Only players who are in the roster during the first game would be allowed to play in the tournament. 6. Waivers: All players must sign a waiver to play, and for minors signed by a parent. Failure to do so will result in removal and/or forfeiture of games. 7. Games will begin at the posted starting time with NO grace period; refs are responsible for getting the games started on-time. 8. Games will be played for 21 points with the winner being determined with a 2-point difference. Semi Finals and Finals will be a best of 3 games. 9. Game flow should continue unless the referee calls for a foul. If a team stops the game for any reason, the opponent will be awarded a point. 10. Every team should have a minimum of 6 players. 11. Rotating/Subs: A clockwise rotation with players rotating into the serve position, including on 1st serve. A player will go out on the next rotation after he has served & will enter at the center back position. If an injury occurs during play, teams play with remaining players or a sub can come in the back-center position. Players will rotate one spot to make that back/center position available for the sub. No subs from other teams allowed during tournament play, meaning a player can only play with 1 team during the tournament (even if they are on multiple rosters). 12. Serving: Serving will be from anywhere behind the back line. Server must wait for the whistle or a word serve from the referee else it will result in a side-out. If the ball hits the net on a serve, it is still considered “in-play” 13. Balls that hit the boundaries (rope lines are used for boundaries) will be ruled “in” 14. Blocking: A block does not count as a hit. Players cannot block or spike the serve. A block is defined as contact with the ball with 1 or 2 arms extended upward without an attempt to drive the ball. 15. The maximum number of hits on a side is 3. 16. Recreational volleyball rules allow open-handed hits as long as they are quick (up to about 6 inches of contact movement). Double hits & flagrant “carries” should be called. 17. Net: NO contact with the net will be allowed (body or clothing). Please be honest when touching the net & stop play for a side out. Stepping on the line is permitted but stepping over is not. 18. The ball may not be attacked on the opposite side of the net until after the other teams 3rd hit. 19. Back row players can play in the front row, but cannot jump to spike the ball in the front row. Back row players may spike from the back row, behind the 10-foot courtesy rule. 20. Referee will stop the play and call for a re-serve, if the play is obstructed by anything (like other balls from other games coming into the play to ensure safety of the players). 21. One 60-second time-out will be allowed per team, per game during the POOL play. Two 60- second time-outs will be allowed per team from the knockout stages. 22. Only time a game can be cancelled and/or rescheduled is due to facility issues. Having insufficient players does not constitute rescheduling. 23. All Body parts are legal, but will be considered 1 of the 3 passes. Foot can be used as long as it is still ON the ground. No kicking the ball, refs need to call this if it occurs. 24. NO glass containers are allowed on property. This protects everyone that is barefoot. ALL garbage needs to be properly disposed of or taken from the facility. 25. When 2 teams tie for a spot, the head-to-head game will determine the winning spot. 26. Sportsmanship is a MUST in ALL games. 27. All players should be 16 years old and above. 28. Referee’s decision is FINAL, NO EXCEPTIONS. We request the teams to co-operate with Referee’s decision to make the smooth running of the tournament. 29. Captain should be responsible for taking the time-out calls and also to control the team's emotions and to play in the good spirits of the game. 30. Only the Coach or the captain can talk to the Umpire before or after the server (not during the play). NOTE: As in any physical sport, there is a risk of injury. Participants are deemed to acknowledge and accept the risks. The organizers cannot accept any liability for damage or injury to person or property sustained by any participant or spectator. ** Please note, in case any of the registered teams decide to drop out on or before the event, there will be no refund of the registration amount.

We are proud to share the remarkable achievements of our students from 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐣𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, who represented our institution at the 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 & 𝐒𝐮𝐛-𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚-𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 held from 29𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒐 31𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 2025 at the 𝐀𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐕𝐚𝐣𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐫, 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐲𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡. A total of 𝟏𝟓 students participated, and together they won multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, bringing immense pride to Nethra Vidyalaya. From blazing performances on the track to powerful throws and soaring jumps, every student gave their best and shone brightly. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬   5 Gold |  11 Silver |  6 Bronze |  22 Medals! 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: K. Ravi and P. Santosh dominated the 200m & 400m, claiming double Golds. 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲: With Santosh, Gowtham, and Ravi excelling, our athletes swept the category. 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: Sandhya earned double Silver in Discus Throw and Shot Put, showcasing versatility. 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Several students secured podium finishes in both track and field, proving the depth of talent across age groups. Detailed Awards List  K. Ravi (T11 – Sub Jr) 🥇 Gold – 200m🥇 Gold – 400m🥈 Silver – Long Jump P. Santosh (T12 – Sub Jr) 🥇 Gold – Long Jump🥇 Gold – 400m🥈 Silver – 1500m Gowtham (T13 – Jr) 🥇 Gold – Long Jump🥈 Silver – 100m🥈 Silver – 400m Sandhya (F11 – Sub Jr) 🥈 Silver – Discus Throw🥈 Silver – Shot Put Surya Rohith (T11 – Jr) 🥈 Silver – 100m 🥈 Silver – Long Jump🥈 Silver – 400m P. Chaitanya (T11 – Sub Jr) 🥉 Bronze – 1500m🥉 Bronze – 400m Keerthana (T11 – Sub Jr) 🥈 Silver – Long Jump Shiv Shankar Sai (T13 – Sub Jr) 🥈 Silver – Long Jump Hemanth (T13 – Sub Jr) 🥉 Bronze – 100m Uday Kiran (T11 – Sub Jr) 🥉 Bronze – 100m Lathika Sree (T11 – Sub Jr) 🥉 Bronze – 100m Poorna (T12 – Jr) 🥉 Bronze – 200m The achievements of our Nethra Vidyalaya students would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our donors and well-wishers. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬. Every medal is not just a victory for the athlete but also a reflection of your generosity and belief in their potential. Support more visually challenged and underprivileged students to pursue their dreams. Visit vtsworld.org  and donate Poornachandra Balagovind Chaitanya Hemant LathikaSri SaiKiran Keerthana Sandhya K. Ravi

VT Seva Seattle's Summer Events Supporting Sound Foundation NW to Build Tiny Homes: This summer, VT Seva Seattle hosted two impactful events—the Unity Cup, a charity cricket tournament, and the Unity Walkathon—both aimed at raising funds to support  Sound Foundation NW  in building tiny homes for the homeless in the Greater Seattle Area. The Unity Cup saw enthusiastic participation from nine teams, all competing with a shared goal of making a difference. This event marked the beginning of what we hope will be an annual tradition, born from Swamiji's visit last year, where he encouraged us to partner with local non-profits to support local causes. With 16,000 homeless individuals in the Greater Seattle Area, each tiny home has the potential to support about 60 families over its lifetime. Our contribution, though modest, will make a significant impact on the lives of those in need across our region. Together, we are not just building homes; we are building hope and creating lasting change in our community. Another exciting event to support NW Sound Foundations was Unity Walkathon. Walkathon brought together over 70 participants, including many youth members, who walked in solidarity for the same cause. The combined efforts of these events raised over $6,500, which will be used to build a tiny home on behalf of VT Seva. Ongoing Music Events at Senior Centers For some time now, our volunteers have been organizing musical events at senior centers, bringing joy and comfort to the elderly through music. These ongoing events have fostered deeper connections and brought much-needed entertainment and companionship to seniors. Ongoing Operation Sack Lunch (OSL) Events Continuing our recurring food packing events at OSL, we've been consistently helping provide meals to those in need throughout the summer.

Hello everyone! We, Saicharan Vellanki and Sathkrith Segu, are both high school students in Washington and part of VT Seva Seattle. Both of us have been passionate about science and service, and this summer, we had the privilege of planning and hosting STEM Week 2025, a six-day virtual event rooted in the pillars of VT Seva: Healthcare, Education, and Environment. As many of you know, VT Seva works tirelessly to support the underprivileged through education and healthcare initiatives, while also promoting environmental sustainability. Wanting to do our part for this mission, both of us designed STEM Week to educate youth on the advanced technology of artificial intelligence, along with its applications in complex global health and environmental problems. Over the span of six days, 100 youth participants joined us from across the country. On Days 1 & 2, Dr. Sudharshan Raghunathan led AI Foundations & Applications, explaining the fundamentals of AI and teaching how to build an actual Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) Large Language Model (LLM). On Day 3, I, Sathkrith, presented a session about CS in High school with focus on AI projects like NASA’s Kepler dataset to predict exoplanets, interning at Waste Management to design AI-driven contamination solutions, and researching the impact of climate-induced heatwaves on honeybee populations with predictive modeling. On Day 4, students heard directly from Dr. Robert Wieder about breakthroughs in breast cancer research, and on Day 5, I, Saicharan, shared his work with quantum machine learning for breast cancer detection. The week concluded on Day 6 with youth presenting their own projects, showing the capabilities of youth innovation. For us, STEM Week was more than an event—it was a reminder that young people can design state-of-the-art solutions to build a future where healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. We would like to sincerely thank the VT Seva leadership team, Guest Speakers (Dr. Sudharshan Raghunathan and Dr. Robert Wieder), participants, and fellow youth leaders who made this vision possible. With your encouragement, we hope to continue building programs that bring science and service together to advance VT Seva’s pillars of healthcare, education, and the environment. Saicharan Vellanki & Sathkrith Segu

Hi everyone! My name is Saicharan Vellanki, and I am a sophomore at Issaquah High School. From a young age, I have been passionate about table tennis. I would play countless hours with my coach and my friends whenever I had time. When I joined VT Seva, I found the perfect way to bring two aspects of my life, sports and service, together to support a meaningful cause: the education of underprivileged and visually challenged children. As many of you know, VT Seva is an organization that works tirelessly to uplift underprivileged children. It stands for the four pillars of education, cancer awareness, environmental protection, and finally, disaster relief. Wanting to do my part for this mission, I turned to something I deeply enjoy—table tennis. Hosting a camp became my way of proving that every rally can create a much more profound impact. This summer, I organized a five-day table tennis camp in Sammamish, WA. Each day was filled with high-intensity training, drills, and matches, aimed at sharpening the technique of each individual student by addressing their specific weaknesses. The funds raised from the camp directly supported the education of children in need, opening the door to brighter futures. Through this experience, I learned that winning medals and titles is not what is important. It is how you pass on your knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the world. By volunteering at VT Seva, I was able to create this impact by connecting my service and passion. I knew that every ball I was hitting on the table was allowing me to make other people’s lives better.  I would like to sincerely thank the VT Seva board, my parents, and everyone who supported this camp. With your encouragement, I hope to keep building bridges between my love for the sport and service in the future. Saicharan Vellanki

This summer, VT Seva Seattle youth and families came together through compassion, creativity, and teamwork. From cricket pitches and walking trails to tech & sports camps, every event reflected our mission of service with purpose . Most importantly, two of our signature summer events — the Unity Cup Cricket Tournament  and the 5K Walkathon  — united our community in supporting the construction of tiny homes for the unhoused  in partnership with Sound Foundations NW . 🏠 Service Through Sport & Spirit – Building Tiny Homes Together 🏏 Unity Cup 2025 – July 26 The 2nd Annual Unity Cup Cricket Tournament  was a tremendous success! Eight spirited teams faced off in thrilling matches, bringing out the best of competition, teamwork, and camaraderie. Families cheered from the sidelines, the energy was contagious, and in the end, MVCC  lifted the trophy 🏆. But the true victory lay off the field. With every run scored, every wicket taken, and every cheer from the stands, our community moved closer to this year’s goal of building two tiny homes . Last year, the Unity Cup helped fund one home  — this year, we are doubling our impact. In collaboration with Sound Foundations NW , these homes provide more than four walls: they bring dignity, safety, and stability  to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Each tiny home can serve multiple families during its lifetime, becoming a stepping stone to hope and rebuilding lives. 🚶 5K Walkathon – August 24 The 5k Walkathon  carried the same spirit of compassion forward just weeks later. This was more than a 5K walk — it was a celebration of unity, tradition, and purpose partnering with Seattle JET & Prajna. From the laughter-filled scavenger hunt to the Utti challenge and Seven Stones, the event brought together adults and children in a joyful day of play, connection, and service. Sharing stories over a picnic lunch, we were reminded of a simple truth: We serve with purpose. We walk together. We share love. No one is more. No one is less. We are one team. We are one VT Seva. Like the Unity Cup, the Walkathon supported our goal of building two tiny homes  with Sound Foundations NW, making each step a pledge toward impact. Overall we raised over $8000 and are close to accomplishing the goal to build 2 tiny homes this year! 💙 Hearts for Heroes – August 15–17 Our Hearts for Heroes  series honored local first responders. Volunteers hand-crafted rakhis and delivered them to police departments in Mill Creek (Aug 15)  and Sammamish (Aug 17) . At Mill Creek PD, youth tied bracelets, presented a handmade memento, and thanked officers for their service — a perfect way to celebrate Independence Day. At Sammamish PD, officers graciously gave us a full tour of their facilities, let volunteers try on police gear, and even sit inside patrol cars 🚓. A touching moment came when a Sergeant shared that he keeps three VT Seva bracelets  in his patrol car as a reminder of our bond. These visits built bridges of gratitude, respect, and connection with those who protect and serve our communities. 🤖 STEM Week – August 9–16 As part of VT Seva’s Virtual STEM Week, we hosted the AI Camp , giving youth a chance to explore the cutting edge of technology and its impact on the world. Featured Speakers: Dr. Robert Weider  – renowned breast cancer scientist who shared insights from his groundbreaking research. Dr. Sudarshan Raghunathan  – AI specialist who spoke about the evolution of AI and its real-world applications. Youth Spotlight:  The Youth Spotlight highlighted the brilliance and creativity of VT Seva’s next generation of innovators. Award-winning projects from WSSEF set the stage, inspiring participants with cutting-edge ideas. Students explored AI applications in healthcare and environmental science, with powerful presentations by Saicharan Vellanki and Sathkrith Segu. The Youth Innovation Showcase featured projects by Akshath Gande and Avyukth Gande, demonstrating the imagination and drive of our youth to apply technology for real-world impact. Together, these presentations reflected not only technical excellence but also the spirit of service through innovation. [ Learn more about the camp here. ] The camp was a true celebration of learning and innovation, highlighting the potential of the next generation of leaders in science and technology. 🏓 Table Tennis Camp – August 9–16 At the same time, our community witnessed service through sport with the Table Tennis Camp , led by Saicharan Vellanki, U2000 National Champion. Sai shared his expertise through private coaching sessions, helping participants sharpen their skills while raising support for Netra Kids. The camp was more than practice and competition — it was about channeling talent toward impact, proving that dedication to a sport can also build opportunities for those in need. This unique initiative beautifully paired passion with purpose, creating a ripple effect of learning and service. [ Learn more about the camp here. ] ✨ Looking Ahead This summer was a season of service, unity, and impact. From cricket tournaments and walkathons that raise homes for the unhoused, to heartfelt gestures for first responders, to joyful senior center visits, to camps that empower young minds — every effort made a difference. Together with our partners, especially Sound Foundations NW , we are building hope, one step, one game, and one tiny home at a time. Here’s to many more seasons of Service and Success! 🌟 VT Seva Seattle Team

2024-2025 was a year to remember for NFHS VTS! From creative service projects to community-focused events, our volunteers stepped up, showed up, and made real change. Here’s a peek into the unforgettable and impactful events that defined our year. Our 2024- 2025 Board Members are: High School Club Events - NFHS VTS Fleece and Thank You Trunk or Treat Food Pantry Bag Decoration Food Drive Making Spirits Bright Teen Mental Wellness Cards DAV Flower Making Teachers Appreciation 9/28/2024 - Fleece and Thank You On September 28th, NFHS VTS Club teamed up with Fleece and Thank You to bring comfort to kids in hospitals! We spent the day folding and packing cozy blankets, each one stitched with care and kindness. Knowing our work would wrap many kids in warmth made every moment worth it. Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DAzdIqjx79A/ 10/19/2024 - Trunk or Treat Decoration and Candy Passing for CARES On October 19th, NFHS VTS Club partnered with CARES for a Halloween celebration to remember. We decorated buses, handed out candy, and shared the joy of the season with families in our community. It was a perfect mix of service and spooky fun! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DBY34nxx6Jl/ 11/13/2024 - Paper Bag Decoration for CARES On November 13th, NFHS VTS Club volunteers teamed up with CARES to decorate paper bags for the local food pantry! From bright colors to thoughtful messages and doodles, each design carried a message of kindness; a small act that could make a big difference to someone receiving a meal!! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DCdQIWuN_xC/ 12/09/2024 - Poster Making for Food Drive NFHS VTS Club members helped get the word out for our food drive by making vibrant, engaging posters! The drive, which ran through December 17th, collected canned goods, non-perishables, and diapers. We thank everyone who donated in Room 907 and supported our community! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DDX_GjLyGzB/ 01/11/2025 - Fleece and Thank you NFHS VTS Club spent the day spreading warmth at Fleece and Thank You! Volunteers helped create cozy blankets for children in the hospital, turning a simple piece of fleece into a hug for kids who need it most. It was a day full of teamwork, compassion, and big smiles! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DEvey1LS9XU/ 02/22/2025 - Making Spirits Bright NFHS VTS Club jumped into action with Making Spirits Bright, helping deliver books to Metro Detroit’s “book deserts.” Our volunteers spent the day sorting and packing stacks of books, making it possible for kids to discover tons of new stories and adventures!! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DGZO9liSsuB/ 03/17/2025 - Teen Mental Wellness Cards Mental health matters, especially for teens balancing school, life, and everything in between. To increase awareness, NFHS VTS volunteers created and posted practical self-care and mindfulness tips around the school building, reminding everyone that their well-being matters every day! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvPtS9NXVj/ 4/2/2025 and 4/9/2025 - DAV Flower Making Event On April 2nd and 9th, VTS members volunteered after school to create “forget-me-not” flower crafts in honor of and to remember disabled American veterans! This small act of appreciation was a heartfelt way to show our respect and gratitude to those who served, and we’re proud to have contributed to such a meaningful cause!! Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DKuq8EFv4UU/ 5/5/2025 - Teacher Appreciation Week For Teacher Appreciation Week, NFHS VTS members poured their hearts into making personalized thank-you cards for the amazing teachers who’ve made a difference in our lives! Whether it’s inspiring us, guiding us, or simply being that reliable adult we can turn to, our teachers mean the world to us. These cards were our way of saying “we see you, we appreciate you, and you matter more than you know.” Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvPtS9NXVj/ 5/17/2025 - NFHS: Fleece and Thank You VTS Club volunteered at Fleece and Thank You on May 17th to make fleece blankets for children in hospitals! It was such a fun, hands-on way to spread comfort, hope, and kindness, one blanket at a time! :) Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvPtS9NXVj/ Closing Summary This year, NFHS VTS proved that service isn’t just about giving back; it’s about building connections, spreading joy, and making kindness contagious. Every event was a spark, and together we created a wildfire of change. We’re ready to carry this fire into next year and make it even brighter!

On August 9, 2025 , VT Seva Detroit hosted its 2 nd Annual Basketball Tournament , bringing the community together for an exciting day of sportsmanship and competition. The event was inspired by a spark of an idea from one of our dedicated Youth Volunteers, Tejas, which led to a thorough exploration of the possibility of organizing such the tournament last year and we were able to continue conducting the event this year as well.  With the exceptional support from our volunteers, sponsors, supporters and the enthusiasm and cooperation of the players made this event truly memorable. With all the funds raised from the event, we were able to support the education of 4 visually challenged children  of Nethra Vidyalaya school. We had 24 participants organized into 8 teams. The tournament showcased impressive talent and enthusiasm, with players demonstrating their skills and passion for the game. Group Standings: Semi-Finals: ·       Team Tejas  defeated Basketball Bros ·       Basketballers  overcame Team Abhinav This set the stage for an exciting final showdown between Team Tejas  and Basketballers . Both teams displayed determination and skill in a highly contested match. Final Match Summary: Team Tejas emerged victorious, defeating Basketballers  with a final score of 11 to 2 , and claimed the trophy of VT Seva Detroit’s second-ever Basketball Tournament. The tournament was a resounding success, filled with high energy, fun, and community spirit. A big thank you to our Game Leads and our Core volunteers, whose dedication ensured the smooth execution of every detail, from planning, promotion, registrations, website & blog updates to the event day logistics, setup, check-ins, and wrap-up. Game Leads:  Tejas, Praveen, Rajesh, Suresh Adult Volunteers:  Vanitha, Sudheer, Srinath, Praveen, Suresh, Tejas, Rajesh, Keerthy Youth Volunteers:  Khushi, Shiv, Varun, Akshara, Paheli, Hemaksh, Kaustubh For all the photos and videos of the event, please visit: 2025 VT Seva Detroit 2nd Annual Basketball Tournament - Google Photos HUGE APPRECIATION & GRATITUDE TO EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS PART OF OUR SUCCESSFUL 2 nd ANNUAL BASKETBALL TOOUNAMENT!! SO LONG… UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!

The first-anniversary celebrations of the Statue of Union a majestic Hanuman statue and a symbol of strength, devotion, and unity were held at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, from August 7 to August 10, 2025. The four-day event, called UNION FEST 2025, was conducted under the divine guidance of His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami ji. The festival celebrated the values that the Statue of Union represents service, harmony, mutual tolerance, and respect. These values are strongly reflected by the VT Seva organization.  The Statue of Union was inaugurated on August 18, 2024, with the vision of becoming a beacon of unity where people from all walks of life could come together in reverence and community spirit. Union Fest 2025 carried that vision forward, gathering devotees, cultural enthusiasts, and leaders from the Greater Houston area in a celebration of shared values, tradition, and faith.  Community and Dignitary Participation Union Fest welcomed dignitaries, civic leaders, and community representatives from across Houston. Their presence underscored the event’s emphasis on building a bridge between core values and civic engagement. Public officials and organizational leaders reflected on the values that unite us, including compassion, righteousness, and responsibility. Esteemed speakers included Dr. Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System; entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr. Jugal Malani; Commissioner Andy Meyers; Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy; Houston City Council Member Ms. Tiffany Thomas; Sugar Land City Council Member Mr. Sanjay Singhal; and Consul Prashant Sona of the Consulate General of India, Houston. Mr. Sesh Bala from the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston also spoke, and Ms. Dottie Hall, District Director from the office of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, graced the event.  Volunteer Efforts The success of UNION FEST 2025 was made possible by the tireless work of volunteers from VT Seva and the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, who served and ensured the needs of 5,000 attendees were met. Youth volunteers actively supported various teams, including devote management, water and prasadam distribution, audio and video coverage, an art competition, felicitation, and the front desk. Their selfless service was a powerful reminder that events of this magnitude rely on the dedication of community members who give their time and energy freely.

During the 2024-2025 school year, the IAE VT Seva Club successfully organized and completed 20+ impactful events that brought students together to make a positive difference in our world. From innovative workshops to educational sessions, the team has remained dedicated to making a difference in our community. Here’s a look back at the incredible activities we accomplished during the 2024-2025 school year:  Events: Back to School Luau Craft Kit for Children Hospital  Play Place for Autism Kids  Leaf Raking for Seniors  Turkey Craft Making for Children Hospital  Play Place for Autism Kids  Snowman Craft Kit  CAIR Origami Kit  Shamrock ShakeDown  Math Kangaroo  DAV Flower-making Event Mental Health Goodie Bags Goodie Bag Distribution Mother’s Day Greeting Card Project DRAW Rocking Painting DAV Flower-making Event Father’s Day Greeting Card Project Super Readers Campaign  9/14/2024 - Back To School Luau: The IAE VTS Club conducted its first successful program for the school year 2024-2025 with Brilliant Detroit hosting their Back to School Luau. The club volunteers sorted and packed school supplies into plastic bags and placed them into backpacks. Each backpack contained a notebook, folder, book, and some other basic supplies. In total, 250 backpacks were packed.  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAGz6DtpILz/?igsh=MTczemp4cjl5Y2s0Ng== 10/16/2024 - Craft Kit for Children Hospital: The IAE VTS Club held their first meeting to make mini craft kits that were sent to kids in the children’s hospital. These kits consisted of a paper ghost cut-out, some eyes and mouth for it, and some stickers to decorate the craft! It was a meaningful way to kick off the first in-school event of the year.  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBM_DnrpkCe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 10/20/2024 - Play Place for Autism Kids: Volunteers assisted with setup, pumpkin decorating, passing out cider and donuts, clean-up, and more at Play-Place’s Costumes and Candy Event for kids with special needs. The event brought joy to kids with special needs and their families.  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBXkFvtpCf9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 11/17/2024 - Leaf Raking for Seniors: Volunteers helped rake the lawns of elders in Troy, clearing out over 20 bags of leaves in total. This was a great way to help out the community! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCfmUI0Jod2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 11/20/2024 - Turkey Craft Making for Children Hospital: Volunteers created turkey craft kits for children in the hospital, designed for Thanksgiving. The kits included decorative items to embellish turkey cut-outs, ensuring the kids felt loved during the holiday season. It’s important to acknowledge and make them feel loved during Thanksgiving! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCnMtsppBOx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 12/08/2024 - Play Place for Autism Kids: Volunteers helped organize the annual Christmas Party, known as the “North Poll Stroll”, at the Play Place Autism and Special Needs Center. They helped in various things such as serving lunch, and managing games and activities. It was a great way to spend time engaging with the community! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDVjAfupUQ2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 01/13/2025 - Snowman Craft Kit: The first event of 2025 was a great success! Volunteers came together to make 30 bags of snowman craft kits for the children at the Children Hospital in Detroit, to provide a creative and cheerful activity for the children.  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEyhM9fNL0B/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 02/04/2025 - CAIR Origami Kit:  The IAE Vt Seva club partnered with CAIR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting COPD patients and advancing respiratory disease research. Volunteers used their creativity to make supporting cards and origami art for the patients.  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFq6exUpoo-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 02/27/2025 - Shamrock ShakeDown: Volunteers crafted personal and uplifting notes for the basketball players participating in the Shamrock ShakeDown, the new annual basketball tournament featuring teams from TCT, Avondale, and more. The goal was to give back to the community by providing these encouraging notes to the Special Ed students, recognizing their skills and hard work! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGmYdhTNvMK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 03/24/2025 - Math Kangaroo: This event marked a fantastic collaboration between Troy IAE and the Troy High VTS Club! The volunteers came together to support the Math Kangaroo Competition which ensured the event ran smoothly and successfully. Volunteers helped set up testing material, managing the registration desk, proctoring the exam, and assisting students with last-minute questions. Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHmu5npJCm3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 04/01/2025 - DAV Flower-making Event On April 1st, we had our annual DAV Forget-Me-Nots event. During this event, we created the forget-me-not flower as a symbol of remembrance and support towards veterans suffering from disabilities. To make them complete, we attached these flowers to notecards! Thanks to our focused volunteers, we reached our goal of making 1,250 flowers in a day! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DH8n0EZJDLe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NzEzZXhvMTVwNzlp   04/15/2025 - Mental Health Goodie Bags On April 14th, in the spirit of mental health awareness month coming in May, we made small mental health goodie bags for the students at IA. Each of these bags had a lollipop, sticker, fidget toy and an eraser. Mental health is just as important as physical health, shaping how we think, feel, and interact with others every day. By raising awareness and providing resources like these goodie bags, we help reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and remind students that they are not alone in their struggles. Small acts of kindness—like these goodie bags—can spark hope, promote self-care, and create a more supportive school community for everyone. We made 541 bags, reaching our goal for this event in a day! Thanks to all of the 20 volunteers for your amazing work!! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIc1uwMts05/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTg4dGNsOGR3dHB2aA==   https://www.instagram.com/p/DJK71NNJhx6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTRzMTJ2b29kZnZmYQ==   05/06/2025 - Mother’s Day Greeting Card Project On this day, we came together for a special Mother’s Day card-making event, creating 115 heartfelt cards for senior citizens at American House Somerset. For many seniors, Mother’s Day can be a lonely time, especially for those separated from their families. Through our handmade cards, we wanted to remind them they are seen, valued, and loved— a simple gesture that can brighten someone’s entire week. Each card was more than just paper and pencil; it was a message of gratitude and warmth, crafted with care by our 30 volunteers. Acts of kindness like these can make a real difference, offering comfort and connection to those who need it most. Thank you to everyone who joined us in spreading love and joy this Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there from your VTS Club!! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJhEFTwtLDK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MXNhZ3hieTFvcDRxdg==   05/16/2025 - Rocking Painting Students from all grades came together in the IA courtyard to paint rocks with kind and positive messages. The goal was to spread good vibes and make our school a happier place for everyone. It was a fun way for everyone to show kindness and remind each other that small, nice things can make a big difference. These kindness rocks are placed in the courtyard because it’s a special spot where students often take breaks and recharge. While spending time there, reading these uplifting messages helps create a peaceful and positive atmosphere, encouraging everyone to feel supported throughout their day. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped out and contributed to this wonderful initiative! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ5F28KSjTK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTAwN2Fqdnh4MHppZA==   April-June - DAV Flower-Making Events Over the past 2-3 months, the IAE VTS Club has been working towards appreciating Disabled American Veterans through the DAV Flowers for Good Project. Together with WIHI, Troy High, North Farmington, and IAE, we created 1250 handmade flowers each using equal materials to ultimately create 5000 handmade blue-forget-me-not flowers. All in support of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). These flowers weren’t just crafts—they were symbols of gratitude. Each one is a thank-you to the veterans who’ve served us with courage and sacrifice. A huge thank you to every single volunteer who helped along the way—whether you folded petals, sorted supplies, or just showed up with good energy. You helped make this project a great success! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKseX-5SLpN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWZscG5kOHdwbWg5aQ==   06/05/2025 - Father’s Day Greeting Card Project Our club came together last week to make special Father’s Day cards for senior citizens in our community homes. It was heartwarming to gather as a group to recognize and honor fathers and father figures, especially those who may not always get the love and appreciation they deserve. Through our handmade cards, we hope to spread kindness and brighten the days of these important members of our community. Thank you to everyone who participated—your thoughtful cards will surely bring smiles and joy to many! Wishing a wonderful Father’s Day to all the amazing dads and father figures out there! Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLBGAzwSWmg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=M2R1cHF5cHdlcTZn   July-August - Super Readers Campaign The Super Readers Campaign on July 10, 14, and 17 were a success with volunteers reading to over 40 children! The Super Readers is a new initiative that involves volunteers to read a picture book to the class at Troy Preschool. Thank you so much to the volunteers who made these first few days successful!  Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMbhauYpRae/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTFoN244ejU4eHR5NA==   https://www.instagram.com/p/DM8MKBdRKVs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MXJ5ZGRoN3Z6OHpwMA== On 2024- 2025 school year, Troy IAE VTS showed that service is more than an action, it’s a movement of compassion, unity, and hope. Each effort became a ripple, and together we created waves of impact. With this momentum, we’re excited to dive into the coming year and make our difference shine even stronger! Welcoming our new board members for the school year 2025- 2026

From September 2024 to May 2025, VT Seva WIHI has been actively engaged in projects that uplift our community by promoting wellness and encouraging student involvement. From creating origami kits for patients to crafting thoughtful mental wellness notes, our volunteers have shown remarkable dedication, creativity, and compassion. This was the very first year for our club and even though we are new, our team has done an excellent job making a difference. Here’s a glimpse of the positive impact we created together this school year! Events: Thanksgiving Craft Kits CAIR Origami Kit Teen Mental Wellness DAV Flower making events Senior Center Flower Making Activity November 22nd, 2024 - Thanksgiving Craft Kits WIHI VT Seva’s first event was a Thanksgiving Craft Kit drive for children at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital. Volunteers came together to pack the kits, enjoying the chance to create something fun and meaningful. The hospital staff expressed their gratitude, sharing that the kits would bring happiness to many children and families. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCzUxY9xR48/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== February 7th, 2025 -CAIR Origami Kit WIHI VTS collaborated with CAIR, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting COPD patients and research. Volunteers expressed their creativity by folding unique origami pieces, each crafted with care to bring comfort and encouragement to individuals living with respiratory conditions. Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DF3zqj1RCi9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== March 8th, 2025 - Teen Mental Wellness To honor Teen Mental Wellness Day, our club organized a thoughtful Note-Making Event to uplift teens experiencing stress or self-doubt. Volunteers created about 120 encouraging notes, reminding students they are valued, appreciated, and never alone. Link:   https://www.instagram.com/p/DG9s9cjxudM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== April 3rd, 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 2025 - Goodie Bag Projects 1-5 WIHI VT Seva prepared 119 gift packages for the graduating class of 2025! Each bundle included small treats and thoughtful items—like Play-Doh, Hershey’s Kisses, gum, a squishy fidget toy, sticky note tabs, and a congratulatory note wishing seniors success in their next chapter. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DI6XRmQxibY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== April 25, 2025 & May 2nd, 2025  - DAV Flower making events On April 25 and May 2, we carried out our DAV Forget-Me-Not Event. Volunteers hand-crafted forget-me-not flowers and attached them to notecards to recognize and thank veterans with disabilities for their courage and service. Altogether, we made 1,250 flowers! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJPDAs2Rog2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== May 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 2025  - Senior Center Flower Making Activity Over two days, WIHI VT Seva hosted a service project where students made colorful pipe cleaner flowers for DAV. The event drew a large, enthusiastic crowd, full of laughter and teamwork. Later, volunteers visited a senior center, teaching residents how to make their own flowers and helping them arrange small bouquets. The residents loved the activity, and the experience showed how a simple craft can spark joy and connection while giving back to the community. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKshO1ixA51/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Closing Summary: This year, WIHI VTS Club proved that service is not measured by the size of an event, but by the heart behind it. Every project lit a spark of hope, and together those sparks became a beacon of change. As we look ahead, we’re ready to shine even brighter and keep inspiring our community! Welcoming our new board for the school year 2025 - 2026

The 2024-2025 year for VTS Troy High was an amazing and incredible year! From innovative service events to initiatives led to give back to our community, our volunteers went above and beyond. They had passion, took action, and made a lasting impact. Here are some of the highlights from our meaningful and unforgettable year! Events: Brookdale Senior Center Visits Disaster Relief at Work DAV flower project Math Kangaroo Competition Treats for Troops Cranbrook Institute of Science Museum Brookdale Senior Center (2/10/25, 5/27/25, 6/12/25) Troy High VTS visited Brookdale Senior Living Center to spend time with all the residents. We played bingo with them and rewarded the winners with small prizes. Next, we created touching cards and handed them out ourselves, which lit their faces with joy. It was clear how much it meant to them. The seniors were very warm and interactive with us throughout the day, and were very touched by our visit. It was truly heartwarming to share such quality time with them. We are already looking forward to our next visit!  Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DK25NdPytRF/?igsh=aGY2NDNmcWZsajVl https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLBc-HSjgV/?igsh=MWYxczUwM3Nua3lnYg==   Disaster Relief at Work (DRAW) ( 2/1/25, 5/10/25) During our recent volunteer effort at Disaster Relief at Work (DRAW), our team contributed to disaster preparedness and response by organizing approximately 200 Ziplock supply bags and successfully packing 90 emergency relief buckets. These supplies are intended to support individuals and families affected by natural disasters, ensuring they have access to basic necessities during times of crisis. Our work helped streamline the distribution process and directly supports DRAW’s mission to provide rapid and efficient aid when it’s needed most. Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLBc-HSjgV/?igsh=MWYxczUwM3Nua3lnYg== https://www.instagram.com/p/DFrOpcLxCm0/?igsh=MTY5ZHd5M2dtN2U2dw==   Disabled American Veterans (  4/7/25, 4/22/25) VTS Club members from Troy High School came together to honor Disabled American Veterans (DAV) by handcrafting small tribute flowers. Their effort was a gesture of appreciation for the brave service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIw5xqoyNV6/?igsh=OWY1OHMya2o2Y21h   https://www.instagram.com/p/DIPEvVWPo1g/?igsh=MXVmbXphMGdqN2U3bQ==   Math Kangaroo Competition (3/20/25) Troy High VTS and the Troy IAE VTS collaborated and our volunteers came together to support the Math Kangaroo Competition! This partnership made the event smooth and successful, with volunteers setting up testing materials, managing the registration desk, proctoring the exam, and assisting students with last-minute questions. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHqrJyWxky9/?igsh=cmNvZmZ1ZDR4OG1m   Treats For Troops ( 11/7/24) Troy VTS club conducted a Treats For Troops event alongside the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. We collected from Troy and Novi for this event and collected over 17 pounds of candy. It was a very fun and amazing experience! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDDXaW1p_7U/?igsh=eWNnN2Y3OHl6Y3dn   Cranbrook Institute of Science Museum ( 10/6/24, 10/18/24) VT Seva Detroit’s Troy High volunteers took part in the Halloween science scavenger hunt at the Cranbrook Institute of Science Museum! Our team had a blast sharing the science behind exciting experiments with young kids and their families. This was not only a learning opportunity and fun for the kids but for the volunteers too. Our team enjoyed the curiosity of the crowd, the learning, and the practical demonstrations. We helped kids do the activities that we were already trained to do. Satisfaction to the volunteers came from the young kids and their families enjoying their understanding of the fun experiments! We also helped out at the Archimedes Event. We were able to learn about all the cool technology/inventions created back in the 1800s! Closing Summary This year, Troy High VTS Club showed that service isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are. Every initiative planted a seed of kindness, and together we grew a garden of change. With renewed energy, we’re ready to nurture even more impact in the year ahead! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DByet1LxvDI/?igsh=MTZqYmc1b2dpamQ5Yg== https://www.instagram.com/p/DBU0f6apSko/?igsh=MThza3lhb3J2bjQ5ag==   Welcoming our new club members for school year 2025 - 2026

VT Seva Detroit is organizing a Tennis Tournament  on August 31 2025, from 9:30 AM  @ Plymouth Arts Recreation Center, 650 Church St, Plymouth, MI - 48170. All proceeds from this tournament will go toward supporting the schools for visually challenged children at Netra Vidyalaya and underprivileged students in Tribal Schools. These schools provide good education to these students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi On a bright and uplifting morning, the VT Seva Detroit community  gathered for the 5th Annual Walkathon , walking together not just for fitness, but for hope, healing, and compassion. This year’s walk was dedicated to our Healthcare pillar, with proceeds benefiting Angels of Hope , an organization that provides essential support to families impacted by cancer. We are proud to have supported Angels of Hope for the past 4 years. This 5th year milestone was made possible by the unwavering dedication of our youth leads and volunteers, many of whom have been working with belief, passion, and service for all these five years. 31 Team Leads, 37 days, 177 Participants, 8985 Miles, $4200+ raised, helped families impacted by cancer VT Seva Detroit's youth once again demonstrated their passion for helping others. On June 6, 2025, the VT Seva Detroit Youth Board officially kicked off this year’s walkathon, bringing together enthusiastic team leaders, parents, and friends. The event was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect, learn about the cause, and inspire one another to make the 5th annual walkathon a success.   Following the kickoff, the youth successfully completed their 5th annual hybrid walkathon on July 12, 2025 . The event raised funds for Angels of Hope - A Family Cancer Foundation , which supports Michigan families impacted by cancer. Team leaders encouraged their members to walk daily, ensuring everyone stayed active and engaged in the cause. Adding a deeply personal touch to this year's event, dedicated team leader Oviya Jaisankar generously donated her hair to Children With Hair Loss, a Michigan-based organization, once again. Oviya shared that she was happy to donate, knowing it would bring comfort and confidence to a child undergoing chemotherapy. Our wonderful youth team leads are: Oviya Jaisankar, MI Adventures 23, Sai Sriram Karnati, Raja Ameya Reddy Yeddula, Arya Patel, Teja Cheemalamarri, Arnav Vinjam, Sneha Donepudi, Siddarth Ram, Arya Cheemalamarri, Anirvin Ramanan, Sriyansh Priyadarshi, Dhanvin Donthy, Kishore Parthiban, Anisha Sharma, Ella McCleery, Kushi Kanumuri, Shreya Shetty, Shruthika Pallapothu, Shalini Srinivas, Sanyog Iyengar, Advithi Kothapalli, Sreenika Perumalla, Amogh Mavatoor, Deekshita Chittala, Rathneeshwar Balamurugan, Shreya Sivakumar, David Juncaj, Varun Aerabati, Himanish Pasula and Anvika Perumalla The day began with a wave of energy as volunteers transformed the venue with colorful decorations & banners. The sound of music and laughter filled the air as participants joined a lively Zumba session. It wasn’t just a warm-up, it was a celebration of life and a reminder that movement, joy, and community go hand-in-hand in creating change. A special thanks to MI Adventures 23 for their generous donation and for encouraging their followers to join our Walkathon. Your support helped amplify our reach and bring more hearts and feet to the cause.  We honored our sponsors whose generosity makes our mission possible. Their commitment to healthcare causes and families in need strengthens the foundation of our work. We were proud to present tokens of appreciation, knowing that their support will ripple far beyond this event. Our kind donors who came forward to support our 5th annual walkathon. We are so grateful to Mrs. Sowmya Angusamy & Mr.Senthil Ramaiyah, Mr. Pankaj Dahad from MI Adventures23,  Mr. Sarat Kothapalli, Mrs. Latha Nimmagadda, a referral from Sai Sriram Karnati, and Mr. Suresh Kaku. We set the tone for the 5th Annual VT Seva Detroit Walkathon with an upbeat Zumba session that had participants dancing, laughing, and feeling inspired before hitting the trail! Thanks to Ketherine Rapaka & Flora Tadepalli for conducting the energizing Zumba dance. Participants laced up and set off on a 3K walk, every step carrying meaning. Along the route, you could feel the camaraderie of friends, families, and strangers walking side by side for a common cause. The shared goal: to bring tangible assistance to cancer-impacted families through Angels of Hope. To keep everyone refreshed, cold water  was available for walkers along the route. Once they completed the walk, participants were treated to fresh fruits and healthy snacks , giving them a tasty and nutritious way to replenish their energy. The most moving moment of the day came with the cheque handover to Angels of Hope . Joanne LaGraff  from Angels of Hope graciously accepted the cheque for $4,270 , a gift made possible by our community’s generosity. Joanne explained how Angels of Hope helps families impacted by cancer, and it was inspiring. Our youths were humbled to be part of the great cause .  This moment symbolized the direct link between our collective efforts and the families who will now receive vital assistance with everyday needs, transportation to treatment, and emotional support. On top of achieving the goal of getting at least 4 team members, some team leads exceeded . This year’s winners are: Team Leads With the Most Members: Oviya Jaisankar (12 participants) MI Adventures 23 (10 participants) Sai Sriram Karnati (8 participants) Team Leads with Most Miles: Oviya Jaisankar Sai Sriram Karnati Dhanvin Donthy Individuals with Most Miles: Druthi Donthy Vanitha Gopalan Sai Sriram Karnati We completed the event by recognizing our participants and winners with certificates. At VT Seva, every hand, heart, and step matters because together, we are stronger. All the team leads received certificates. This year’s Walkathon would also not have been possible without the parents who sponsored the snacks and drinks that kept all the participants' energy up! Thanks to the parents, Ms. Nandini, Mr.Soumendra, Ms.Subha, MS.Lavanya and Mr.Balamurgan , who sponsored water bottles, fruits, snack bars, and cookies. Thanks to Ms. Veena & Mr. Jaisankar for sponsoring decoration items.  Thanks to Ms. Veena for always help us with the decorations. Thanks to 𝐔𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐣𝐢 for website creation and for providing support with website maintenance and updates. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with setup to cleanup! Our wonderful volunteers covered the event from the beginning to the end. Please go through the pictures and videos. 06/06/2025 Walkathon Kickoff Event Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6kiT3Fi1v7a1gjJG7 07/12/2025 Walkathon Event Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XyTvq4RNRjZuu3zy5 Our Healthcare pillar exists to uplift and care for those facing health challenges, and this walkathon was a powerful example of that mission in motion. With every donation, every sponsor, and every walker, we are not only raising fund, we are raising hope. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us, supported us, and believed in our cause. Together, we can walk towards a future where no family faces cancer alone. Reflection from a few of our walkathon team leads! Oviya Jaisankar: This was my 5th year participating as a team lead in the Walkathon. I am always so excited for this event because of how much of an impact it can have on the people who are in some of their roughest patches. This year, I was able to recruit 12 members to join my team and walk toward making a difference in the lives of those impacted by Angels of Hope. I had such a great experience reaching out to people I knew and explaining the cause in order to get them to support the Walkathon as well. This project inspired me to help those impacted by cancer even more, so I decided to cut my hair and donate 10 inches to an organization that makes wigs for patients going through chemotherapy. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and contribute to a cause that touches so many lives. I can't wait to impact even more lives next year! Sai Sriram Karnati: Taking part in the Walkathon in support of Angels of Hope, an organization that aids families affected by cancer, was an incredibly fulfilling experience. Beyond the physical effort, it was the chance to make a meaningful impact on a cause I deeply care about. The knowledge that our participation directly benefited cancer families and helped spread awareness gave the event a deeper purpose. Earning second place reflected the hard work and commitment of my entire team. I'm truly grateful to VT Seva and Angels of Hope for allowing me to be part of such a powerful initiative. Arya Patel: I’m truly grateful for this experience. Not only was did I help the community but I grew and attained skills that I can utilize for the rest of my life. I learned how to be persuasive and encouraging. I had 6 teammates and accumulated over 295 miles total. I learned how to bring people together. They all put in a small amount of money but together we have made a large impact. I can’t wait for next years walkathon!! Teja Cheemalamarri: This is my 5th year as a team lead at the hybrid walkathon partnered with Angels of Hope. I am very grateful to VT Seva for the opportunity to fundraise and support cancer patients. After stories of the stress of paying for cancer treatment, I am more driven to contribute to this great cause. I also believe child obesity is threatening the health of the future, so this event has been great in raising awareness with each of our steps. I found the yoga session last year, and the dance session this year is a fun way to stretch and warm up! Arya Cheemalamarri: This is my 5th year participating in the VTSeva Detroit walkathon as a team lead. I initially joined this event years ago during lockdown after learning the help we can give to fellow members of the community facing crisis during cancer, while also wanting more physical activity that came with the walking. After years of participating in the walks, I was and still am amazed by how much of a positive effect this event has had, not only on my physical health, but the health of the community as we become more active and fit in the sake of helping others. I am always grateful to VTSeva for providing me with this opportunity to fundraise for patients and families facing cancer so that we can all have support for our health as a strong community. Siddarth Ram: Participating in the walkathon was a meaningful and rewarding experience. I organized a team by signing up my family and friends, encouraging us all to walk together for a great cause. Tracking our miles gave us a shared goal and sense of unity. It was inspiring to know that every step we took helped raise funds for Angels of Hope, supporting families affected by cancer. The event not only promoted physical wellness but also highlighted the power of community involvement. I'm grateful I had the chance to contribute to such an impactful mission through something as simple as walking. Anirvin Ramanan: The walkathon in support of Angels of Hope was a very meaningful experience. I was proud to surpass the team goal and bring in 5 generous participants. It was great knowing our efforts can bring hope to those who need it most. Kishore Parthiban: Taking part in the VTSeva walkathon was a wonderful experience! Engaging with other people and motivating them to register was awesome for building good communication and leadership skills. Being part of something positive and learning and growing with the process was fulfilling. The cause, the people, and the energy of the walkathon made the experience priceless and worthwhile! Ella McCleery: Throughout the course of this walkathon event, I have discovered so much more about what volunteering can be. This event was so different from any volunteer work I had done before, especially in magnitude. To have an effect on such a huge problem, such as cancer, had never felt achievable before I started this walkathon. And to be able to put in effort and have fun at the same time was amazing! This walkathon has been such a good experience, and I simply cannot wait to see and participate in planning future events like this one! Kushi Kanumuri: I am so grateful for this opportunity of not only getting to be a part of, but also helping others get involved in such an amazing initiative. Getting to talk to strangers and lead a team helps strengthen so many key skills. From communication, to leadership, and even rejection you experience it all. And the best part is, you are promoting a good cause, so whether you get a yes or no, the outcome is either more donations or a lesson for yourself as you continue to develop your skills. Luckily for us, both of those are good outcomes. Angels of Hope is such a wonderful organization, and I have donated to them before, but I always love how the walkathon leaves you feeling like you contributed in a more significant way. The feeling of creating your own team makes it that much more memorable since it feels more like “I helped lead this” compared to “I participated,” and the difference is quite astounding. Watching the donations that you helped gather add up is truly a surreal feeling, and I look forward to it every year. I can’t wait to do it again in 2026. Shreya Shetty: Being part of the 5th annual walkathon was a really meaningful experience. It gave me a chance to reflect on how privileged I am and reminded me of the importance of giving back. This event always pushes me to support the community, along with focusing on improving my own health through consistent walking. I’m really grateful I got to participate this year, and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year to continue supporting families affected by cancer Sanyog Iyengar: This walkathon was truly amazing, the amount of money we raised was eye-watering, and walking gave me the time to reflect on my time in SEVA and how impactful it’s been on my life! Deekshitha Chittala: The walkathon was truly a great experience for me, and I’m so glad that I was not only able to participate in it but also to be a team leader. It was my first time participating in this event, and it was really fun and eye-opening. It helped me understand the little things we can do in our community to help big causes like cancer. I will definitely use this event as inspiration for future initiatives in VTSeva and further. Rathneeshwar Balamurugan: The VT Seva Walkathon experience was very meaningful to me.  Walking with friends and families for a cause greater than us reminded me of the great wealth derived from working together in oneness of heart and compassion.  Each step together seemed meaningful, connected to each person in the fight against cancer.  Furthermore, the experience and togetherness gave me an appreciation for my own health and the community.  On top of that, witnessing youth step up to lead, document their teams, and create awareness was an awakening for me.  These experiences also motivated me, and I think perhaps it point to the small contributions of individuals becoming great when multiplied by enough people.  I appreciated that the walkathon was not just raising money; it was raising hope.  I was very proud to be part of the experience of the walkathon and look forward to the future. Varun Aerabati:  This walkathon gave me the chance to have a fun time walking with friends, and it gave me the opportunity to help the families impacted by cancer in Michigan. In addition, the walkathon also taught me a lesson that it is important to help others who are not as fortunate as we are, and in the end, I enjoyed the walkathon and it made me feel good after I helped others. Himanish Pasula: This was my first year doing a walkathon, and I enjoyed it a lot! I love the idea of connecting fitness with a good cause. A difficulty I had during the recruiting process was convincing people to join my team. To overcome this, I began asking only people who enjoy fitness and have helped me in various ways in the past. Overall, I enjoyed the walkathon, and I cannot wait for next year’s walkathon! Priya Jaisankar: As a lead mentor for VT Seva Detroit’s youth-led walkathon for the past five years, I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of our youth while helping families impacted by cancer. Each year, I’m proud to see our youth learn about the cause, speak up with confidence, recruit team members, raise funds, and strengthen their communication skills. I’m thankful for our partnership with Angels of Hope and the meaningful difference we’re making together in our local community. Blog Written By: Priya Jaisankar Video By: Rathneesh Balamurugan & Oviya Jaisankar

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead A group of 28 youth volunteers had one collective message to help the students of Nethra Vidyalaya. The VT Seva Detroit Youth Board members continued their tradition of creating awareness about VT Seva and its causes for the 2nd year in a row. Student-4-Student is an outreach project thought of by Harish , a youth board member, last year where our Youth Board members reached out to their friends, families, teachers, coaches, dance schools, and many more people who weren’t aware of VT Seva to explain one of VT Seva’s amazing causes: supporting Nethra Vidyalaya students and raising money through a GoFundMe campaign. 28 youths, 56 days, 168 new donors raised $10,050 which supports 27+ students. Every member who committed to this project made sure they reached their personal goal. However, they didn’t just stop there; they went above and beyond to help the Nethra Vidyalaya students and raised over $10,050, which supports the education of over 27 students for one year. They reached out to donors through social media, phone calls, door-to-door campaigning, and much more. The teachers of NethraVidyalaya and Jeeyar Gurukulam were the inspiration for our Outreach campaigners. Our volunteers were amazed by the love, dedication, and commitment that these teachers had for their students. Seeing those teachers going to their students’ homes and taking classes under trees and in sheds during the COVID-19 period to make sure these students are learning continuously without any hurdles showed their love for their students. The youths were committed to helping the teachers and the students in any way possible. Each day the statistics were sent out to all the participants with motivational quotes. The parents encouraged and motivated their children to reach out to people as much as they can. Kudos to all the parents who were helping their children be a voice for underprivileged students . This awareness project didn’t only help Nethra Vidyalaya students; it helped all these 28 youths with their communication skills. We had lots of new members who joined this project this year. Initially, they were shy about talking to people. However, after a couple of times, they were able to explain the cause to friends and relatives without diffidence. By participating in this project, all these 28 youths were training one of the basic qualities of a leader: “Speak up for others” Without any doubt, our future is in good hands with all these compassionate youths who have a desire to serve a purpose greater than themselves. There is a proverb in Tamil , ‘Oor koodi ther izhu’ , that implies the strength of community (outreach team) participation in matters of societal importance (Nethravidyalaya students). This is what happened in our team. We had youth volunteers who are as young as 9 year old Adhip and Vihaan to high school seniors. Thank you so much to every one of the youth board members who participated and supported Nethra Vidyalaya students Hiba, Oviya, Saisha, Siddharth, Rishi, Shruthi, Sai Sri Ram, Amogh, Harish, Kaavya, Akshay, Niharka, Advaith, Vihaan, Adhip, SaiSahasra, Ananya B, Shrikha, Sathvik, Sanjana, Udhayaa, Ananya R, Rashmitha, Rohan P, Varshini, Nitya S, Pranav S and Abisrishti Please watch this video to learn about our campaigners' experience, feeling, and their gratitude towards the NethraVidyala students, parents, and donors. Blog Written By: Priya Jaisankar Blog Published By: Nandini Cheemalamarri (VTSeva Detroit Communications)

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” – Brooker T. Washington VT Seva Detroit Youth Board Members continued their Outreach program 3rd year in a row. As the saying third time is charm, our team leaders made this year’s student -4-student outreach program a huge success than the last 2 years. 30 team members raised more than $14,000 to support 38+ students education with the help of 239 donors. Each team lead who participated in understood the challenges that Nethra Vidyala Students and Tribal Students face, they took their perseverance as inspiration and committed to support as much as student possible. This year in this student-4-student outreach program, team leaders met their minimum goal, however they went above and beyond to help the students education. Team Leaders had a great opportunity to enhance their communication skills. They were able to convey their intention of helping others and raised money. Big thanks to all the parents who were helping their children be a voice for underprivileged students . Wonderful team leads who participated in this outreach project are Saisha Srivatsan, Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Rishi Adduri, Sathvik Tirumalakanduri, Anvika Perumalla, Pranav Tammineedi, Sneha Chandrasekar, Anuraag Balaji, Harsh Ahire, Vishnu Athreya, Akshay Kumar, Srihari Hebbar, Kalki Renga Anand, Adhip Pisipati, Shraya Ved, Shrikha Atchutuni, Sriraam Hebbar, Srihari Anathalwan, Ishani Patil, Varshan Muhinthan, Rishi Chowdhury, Chakrika Kaur, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Ashvik Kattamanchi, Abhinav Pagidi, Ashish Rajam, Nithin Kumar, Poorani Saravanan and Siva Suravarapu These are the reflection messages from our team leads: Through this experience I’ve been very thankful to reach new donors and it feels amazing to know that I was able to sponsor a year’s worth of education for more than 5 kids this year. I feel very happy to be a part of this project where we help the students of Nethra Vidyalaya and see the money raised get put to use through the students’ accomplishments. – Saisha Srivatsan This was an amazing opportunity to help develop my skills of public speaking and convincing. It was eye opening to go to different people and organizations to help spread the word of VT Seva causes and try to bring in donations. I'm so glad that I was able to better educate myself about VT Seva while also educating others. – Oviya Jaisankar This project was a great way for me to make a large impact in someone else's life and I definitely gained social skills as I had to convince others to support this cause. I think this was a wonderful way to help another person in the simplest of ways. – Anvika Perumalla The outreach project was definitely something new, and this was my first year doing it. I found it extremely interesting that we were given a chance to use our marketing skills to gain people to support us and our fundraising. I truly enjoyed trying to come up with different ways to persuade people to help our case while also being able to do something good and help children that really need it. – Sneha Chandrasekar The outreach project supported the nethra vidyalaya students. I’m glad to have been part of this amazing event to help give education to those students – Anuraag Balaji This project was a great way for me to make a large impact in someone else's life and I definitely gained social skills as I had to convince others to support this cause. I think this was a wonderful way to help another person in the simplest of ways. – Harsh Ahire Outreach. This word really resonated with me during this project. Something about helping kids who aren’t as fortunate as me really stuck with me. I really took this project seriously. – Vishnu Athreya I learnt How to talk passionately and confidently. Another thing I learnt was being bold and speaking in front of friends of my dad's or mom's and/or chatting with them to donate even if I didn't know them as much as my parents – Kalki Renga The outreach program was a very fun experience to go out and talk to people about a very important cause, and it was very fun to participate in. – Shraya Ved This Outreach event has been a great learning experience and an awesome way to help the underprivileged students of Nethra Vidyalaya school. I am so proud of the VT Seva community for raising more than $13,000, funding many student's educations! – Sriram Hebbar I am very glad that we were able to raise all this money. Hope we can increase that number next year! – Srihari Anathalwan It was my pleasure to advocate for the tribal children's school in the Outreach project. I learned critical communication skills convincing my friends and teachers to join our cause. – Rishi Chowdhry Blog Written By: Priya Jaisankar Blog Published By: Nandini Cheemalamarri

Positive world change is seldom achieved by one person; more often than not, amazing things happen when like-minded people are committed to a singular goal. Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results. - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha 32 young leaders had one common goal to be the reason for change in underprivileged students' lives. They came together to raise funds to support Nethra Vidyalaya and tribal school students' education. Together they raised enough money to support 64+ students' education for one whole year. 32 youth leaders raised more than $25,000 to support 68+ students' education with the help of 265 donors. Each student who participated in the 4th annual Outreach project learned about Nethra Vidyalaya & Tribal student's struggles and yet their passion and dedication led to them achieving an international level. Their dedication inspired these 31 youth leaders to do their best to support them. As it is Outreach, they reached out to new potential donors to raise awareness about the cause and to secure financial contributions. In this process, they learned various interpersonal skills and built relationships, engaged the community, enhanced their communication skills, and inspired people to contribute to the cause . Their success reflects not only the dedication and hard work of the students involved but also the support they received from the community. They've got donations from friends & family, small businesses, and other non-profit organizations like Rotary, Google Giving Campaign, school teachers, dance teachers, and many more. One of our youngest volunteers Adhip promoted outreach to the Robotics team and asked all his team members to be part of this project. Another youth volunteer Oviya reached out to Rotary and got a generous donation. Special thanks to Rotary for their continuous support of Outreach and their generous donation this year. Kudos to the parents of all these youth leaders for constantly motivating them and helping them identify the donors. Wonderful team leads who participated in this outreach project: Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Jishnu Kandalam, Varnika Jakka, Shruthi Adduri, Sathvik Tirumalakanduri, Ruthvi Ala, Anvika Perumalla, Shreya Shetty, Sneha Chandrasekar, Adhip Pisipati, Rakshan Samynathan, Kaustubh Dingari, Ridhi Manjunath, Swara Rege, Samhith E, Anirvin Ramanan, Rishi Chowdhury, Adithi Esrala, Nishant Sarma, Akshay Kumar, Abhi Mudeganti, Sreenika Perumalla, Kalki Renga Anand, Farhang Irani, Vahini M, Ishan Iyer, Mihita Lokesh, Sucheta Lokesh, Jayanth Batti, Vishnu Athreya & Swara Rege These are the reflection messages from our team leads: Oviya Jaisankar: I am so glad to have participated in the Outreach Program once again this year. I'm really grateful to the Google Giving Campaign and both the Rotary Interact Club and Livonia AM Rotary Club for helping me support more than 14 students' education for a year. It felt amazing to be able to help these extremely talented students accomplish new things every day. Sai Sriram Karnati: Outreach was a great opportunity for me to expand my public speaking skills. I also felt very proud talking about the Many Major Achievements that these great Talented Students have accomplished. Thank you VT Seva for this Great opportunity. Jishnu Kandalam: As every year, the outreach project was a great initiative to be a part of. I was really happy to see all the people in my community willing to come and support this cause. This project made me expand my communication skills as I had to reach out to multiple people in my community and convince them to support this cause. I grew as a leader and as a team member and was very happy to see how I was able to help almost 3 kids get free education for 1 year. Shruthi Adduri: I think this was a very nice and impactful project for me to learn about and help others. I really enjoyed learning ways to reach out to people and how happy I was once I reached my goals for how many kids education I wanted to sponsor. Sathvik Tirumalakanduri: This fundraising event has been one of the most satisfying activities I have done this year. I know that the money collected will be put a great use and will help in building a bright future for the underprivileged and visually impaired children's education. Ruthvi Ala: First of all, I wanted to say I’m so proud of the VT Seva outreach group for raising money to support 50 students. One big takeaway was that I have to know who to ask. One of my robotics mentors told me it is important to know who, and when to ask someone. He also told me a lot of the people who are working on a cause very similar are very willing to donate. After I learned this small trick, I was able to raise money to support 3 students. For example, when I informed people about the cause, versus, when I texted my neighbor, who is working on a rural development program to inform her, she immediately donated. And like this, I reached out to many people. It felt great to know I was able to support 3 students for a year and I can’t wait to do this again next time! Anvika Perumalla: As every year, the outreach project was a great initiative to be a part of. I was really happy to see all the people in my community willing to come and support this cause. This project made me expand my communication skills as I had to reach out to multiple people in my community and convince them to support this cause. I grew as a leader and as a team member and was very happy to see how I was able to help almost 3 kids get free education for 1 year. Shreya Shetty: The outreach program was a very good opportunity for me as it helped me directly reach out to potential donors and inform them about the cause that VT Seva supports. It allowed me to directly impact the students that VT Seva supports and that was a huge motivation for me throughout this project. Sneha Chandrasekar: Every year, I am so surprised by the amount of people who are willing to reach out and help others, and I think the outreach project really showcases that people strive to find ways to help others. In fact, many of my own family friends that I had reached out to last year asked me if they could donate before I had even sent a message about it. It really makes me happy to know that I could help contribute to spreading the message about the tribal and blind students in India and being able to help them in any way. While my impact may have been small, I hope that it will encourage others to create their own impacts. Adhip Pisipati: It gave me a sense of fulfillment in encouraging my Robotics teammates to join the outreach program. The very fact that I am making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged gave me the strength to push my teams to do more in terms of outreach. I am so happy that I am part of this wonderful cause. Rakshan Samynathan: Fundraising for VT Seva was a fulfilling experience mobilizing support, spreading awareness, and witnessing the generosity of friends, family, and the community. Knowing that these efforts will contribute to the education of visually impaired kids at Nethra Vidyalaya is truly rewarding. Kaustubh Dingari: when I first started the outreach project, I noticed that many people were very reluctant to donate, unless they had a good speech. so I prepared a speech beforehand on paper and read that out to people. After three or four tries, my speech started working and I got a few donations. Ridhi Manjunath: I feel so proud to have the opportunity to help out with this project and raise money for this charity. I am happy I was able to raise money for at least 1 kid's education. The experience was amazing. Swara Rege: This was my first time participating in the VT Seva Outreach to support Nethra Vidyalaya. At first, I was hesitant to reach out to people for donations. However, once I got my first donation I got the confidence to reach out to family and close family friends and share information about Nethra Vidyalaya and the amazing work they have been doing to provide free education to underprivileged blind students in India. I feel very proud and satisfied that I got the opportunity to be part of this noble cause and was able to raise funds along with my fellow youth members to sponsor free education for a year for several kids. I look forward to participating in this event every year. Thank You, VT Seva! Samhith E: Assisting blind students has been a very rewarding experience, it teaches you how helping others is the same thing as helping yourself. How? Watching the bar fill up with donations lets you know that YOU are making a difference, and someone is very grateful for this. It lets you understand that someone out there is smiling just because YOU decided to stand up and make a difference. Overall, the experience of helping blind students has been a testament to the impact that small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others. Anirvin Ramanan: Supporting this fundraiser was a new experience for me and made me feel good as I was supporting a cause that would go towards giving blind students better lives. Rishi Chowdhury: I really liked doing the VT Seva Outreach project since it was my first time raising money to support one child's education Vahini M: This fundraiser was a rewarding experience and I'm glad I got to participate in it. Seeing all of the donations, some as little as $5, adding up to surpass our goal, was incredible and inspiring. Even though I wasn't able to raise as much money as I wanted, I'll take what I learned from this fundraiser and apply it to my next one. Blog written by: Priya Jaisankar

The VT Seva Detroit branch is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of its Youth-Led Outreach Project in 2024, which aimed to support the education of students at Nethra Vidyalaya. Through the collective efforts of dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and enthusiastic supporters, the project achieved its ambitious goal of raising substantial funds to empower72+ visually challenged students with quality education and opportunities for a brighter future by raising more than $26,500 3 Months, 42 Youth Team Leads, $26,500+ raised, empowered 72+ Nethra students Nethra Vidyalaya, renowned for its commitment to educating visually challenged students, has always strived to provide holistic learning experiences. VT Seva Detroit’s Outreach Project focused on ensuring these students have access to the resources and support they need to excel academically and personally. One of the most inspiring aspects of this initiative was the active involvement of youth volunteers. While supporting the Outreach Project, the youth had the opportunity to significantly enhance their communication skills by engaging with diverse audiences, advocating for the cause, and sharing the impact of their work. They also learned to handle rejections with resilience, turning challenges into valuable learning experiences. These moments of perseverance helped shape them into empathetic leaders—the kind of leaders the world desperately needs. Their journey of growth and self-discovery was as impactful as the outcomes of the project itself, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved These are our youth leaders who participated in this project: Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Sathvik Thirumalakanduri, Bhavita Sagi, Shruthi Adduri, Anirvin Ramanan, Adhip Pisipati, Sneha Donepudi, Swara Rege, Sreenika Perumalla, Samriddhi Pathak, Kaustubh Dingari, Pierce Dzanbazoff, Bhagya Shetty, Sanyog Iyengar, Arya Patel, Kushi Kanumuri, Alicia Ramos-Versescu, Harini Kopparapu, Rathneeswar Balamurugan, Aanya Das, Abhiram Mudeganti, Advithi Kothapalli, Akul Madamshetty, Ritvija Mahabhashyam, Shreya Shetty, Lillian Applebaum, Shivani Nimmagadda, Anvika Perumalla, Pranavi Annavarapu, Avantika Nair, Riya Bagri, Himanish Pasula, Varshan Muhinthan, Shipra Valli, RoboKnights FTC Team, Deekshita Chittala, Jennah Najor, Andrea Zou, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Hiba Zyna and Izyan Zunair Reflections: Oviya Jaisankar: (supported 13+ students) Every year, I look forward to the Outreach project because it lets me directly help the people that need it most and gives me an opportunity to enhance my communication skills and become a more caring person. This is my 5th year participating in this project. Raising these funds empowers the students of Nethra Vidyalaya in so many ways, and I love being a part of the efforts. This year, I was able to raise funds for over 13 students' education for one year and I hope to do even more next year! Thanks to VT Seva for this wonderful opportunity! Sai Sriram Karnati: (supported 11+ students) From the Outreach project, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. Each dollar represents a commitment from someone who believes in the cause as much as I do. The journey taught me a lot about the power of community and the importance of perseverance. There were definitely challenges along the way, but seeing people come together to support a common goal made it all worthwhile. It reinforced the idea that when we pool our resources and efforts, we can create meaningful change.  Thank you VT Seva for once again giving me a chance to spread awareness of the cause. Youths supported 3+ students: Sathvik Thirumalakanduri, Bhavita Sagi, Shruthi Adduri, Anirvin Ramanan Bhavita Sagi: Collecting $1,220 for kids who are blind and can’t access education was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done. It showed me how much even a little effort can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Throughout this process, I felt a mix of emotions—hope, excitement, and sometimes worry about whether I could actually raise enough. But seeing how many people cared and wanted to help reminded me that we’re all capable of making an impact when we come together. Knowing that this money will help give these kids a chance to learn and grow means so much to me. It made me realize how lucky we are to have opportunities that not everyone gets. I’m just really grateful for everyone who supported this cause and helped make it possible. This is something I’ll always remember. Shruthi Adduri: My favorite part of outreach is being able to help out the Nethra students and the self reward I feel when the donation come in! Anirvin Ramanan: Participating in the outreach this year was an amazing opportunity for me to step up and support students. I was able to pull donations that landed me over 1100 to support 3 students for a year. Youths supported 2+ students: Adhip Pisipati, Sneha Donepudi, Swara Rege, Sreenika Perumalla Adhip Pisipati: Overall this was a great experience because  I was able to use my public speaking and marketing skills to get people to donate to such a great cause. More importantly I was very satisfied that I was able to help raise the  money, and this was a very fulfilling experience. Sneha Donepudi: My experience with the VT Seva Nethra Vidyalaya project has been nothing short of exceptional. Throughout the course of this fundraiser, I’ve had the joy of experiencing milestone after milestone in our fundraising goals while hearing about the achievements our Nethra students. The stories I’ve heard about their accomplishments in the face the impossible physical challenges they had to face pushed me even harder to achieve my goal! I am very grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to participate in such a wonderful program with such an important mission. I’m proud to say that I’m even more overjoyed that the seemingly endless string of donation-gathering calls and emails went to support this amazing cause, VT Seva Nethra Vidyalaya project. Swara Rege: This is my second year participating in the VT Seva Outreach to support Nethra Vidyalaya. Although, I wasn’t able to devote as much time as last year, I am really happy and proud to have been able to raise funds to support free education for a year for 2 Nethra Vidyalaya students through this initiative. I look forward to participating in this event every year. Thank you VT Seva for the opportunity! Sreenika Perumalla: Outreach was a great opportunity for me to improve my social and leadership skills while still giving back to my community. This fundraiser helped open my eyes about how fortunate many of us are and pushed me to want to help the kids in Nethravidyalaya more. Although getting donations was not the easiest, even the smallest donations made me feel happy for the cause I was supporting.   Youth Team Leads supported 1+ student: Sanyog Iyengar, Samriddhi Pathak, Kaustubh Dingari, Pierce Dzanbazoff,  Harini Kopparapu, Bhagya Shetty, Arya Patel, Kushi Kanumuri, Alicia Ramos-Versescu, Rathneeswar Balamurugan, Aanya Das, Abhiram Mudeganti, Advithi Kothapalli, Akul Madamshetty, Ritvija Mahabhashyam & Shreya Shetty Samriddhi Pathak: My first time raising money for the poor and visually challenged students of the Nethra Vidyalaya and Jeeyar Gurukulam schools was a really valuable and eye opening experience. I got important practice with expressing my ideas concisely and thoroughly to people when telling them about the profound impact donating to this amazing cause would have on not just these children, but humanity as a whole ❤️ It was a great opportunity to be a part of this fundraiser, leaving me warm inside knowing the money I raised genuinely bettered a kids' life. Kaustubh Dingari: The outreach event was very enjoyable and allowed me to interact with more people outside of VTS and family members. One challenge faced was finding people who were interested in donating towards the cause. Most people who are walking around, usually will avoid people asking for donations as they have no interest so finding people who are interested greatly helped us and me to find more donations. Overall, this was a fun project and I am looking forward to participating again next year. Kushi Kanumuri: My name is Kushi Kanumuri, and I had a wonderful experience participating in the 2024 Outreach Program. This opportunity allowed me to learn a great deal. Through engaging with new people, I significantly improved my communication skills. Additionally, I learned to handle rejection more effectively, as many individuals did not contribute to the cause. The program also helped me utilize and enhance my leadership abilities. The Outreach Program supported the students of Netra in receiving the education they deserve. While informing potential donors, I gained a deeper understanding of the Netra students and their impressive skills. This experience has given me a newfound appreciation for these young individuals who persevere despite their challenges. Overall, the Outreach Program has been tremendously beneficial. I learned many new skills and experienced growth in areas where I was previously weaker. Most significantly, I was able to contribute to helping these wonderful students. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to participating again next year. Alicia Ramos-Versescu: VT Seva has given me such an amazing opportunity to look at life through a different lens. Each donation I’ve received had always came from a person who was thankful for an organization like VT Seva who uses this money for the better. I’m so thankful for the opportunity of being a part of such an amazing organization and can’t wait for the future. Aanya Das: I am Aanya Das, I have had a wonderful experience sending out and raising awareness on the visually challenged kids and their educational needs in Nitralaya Vidyalaya. I enjoyed raising donations for their educational needs and betterment of knowledge. This was a wonderful experience being apart of the outreach program. I hope their education improves and they grow with a good knowledge base! I learned about VT Seva through my cousin. I have done this once before, and I’m incredibly glad to have contributed to this cause. I’m grateful to have people around me who can donate to a good cause. I really hope I can do this again and get donations from more people and reach out more. This has been a great experience and I can’t wait to help again for the next fundraiser! Pierce Dzanbazoff: The Outreach Project was a meaningful experience that helped me grow as a person while supporting a cause I care about. The goal was to raise funds to provide educational resources for underprivileged and visually impaired children, and while the process had its challenges, it also taught me valuable lessons about leadership and communication. One of the most impactful moments was when my workplace, Wiard's Orchard, generously donated $200 to the fundraiser. Their contribution was not only a significant boost to my total, crossing the amount needed to fund one child's education, but also a reminder of how important delivering an inspiring message is in the project. It felt rewarding to see my connections make a difference, and it motivated me to keep pushing forward. This project also helped me become more confident in taking initiative. I had to step out of my comfort zone to ask for support and explain the importance of the fundraiser. These experiences have made me more comfortable in leadership roles and have given me skills I know will be useful in future projects. Looking back, the most rewarding part wasn’t just seeing the final amount raised, but knowing that those funds would directly benefit the Nethra children who need them. It made me appreciate the opportunities I have and reminded me of the importance of giving back.  I am proud of what I accomplished, and I will aim higher next year! Arya Patel: I have learned so much from this experience. It’s helped we communicate and network with people I never thought I would interact with. Even though this experience was primarily to raise money for kids in India, it has had an everlasting impact on me. Overall, I am grateful I was involved in outreach this year!! Ritvija Mahabhashyam: I learned about VT Seva through my cousin. I have done this once before, and I’m incredibly glad to have contributed to this cause. I’m grateful to have people around me who can donate to a good cause. I really hope I can do this again and get donations from more people and reach out more. This has been a great experience and I can’t wait to help again for the next fundraiser! Abhiram Mudeganti: The outreach project allowed us to not only promote awareness but also raise funds for a valuable cause. Each donation can and will make a difference in another child's life. I am grateful for the opportunity to be raising funds and promoting awareness for this cause Shreya Shetty: This was my second year being a part of the outreach program and I truly loved the experience and what it taught me. It allowed me to directly support the Nethra Vidyalaya  students, and I am looking forward to participating again! Advithi Kothpalli: Participating in the outreach program in order to raise funds for visually impaired children was an amazing experience. It allowed me to reach out to many people, and practice networking, while also working to raise money for a great cause. It felt great to receive support for others and showed me how small efforts could make a big difference. Rathneeswar Balamurugan: Helping with VT Seva’s outreach fundraisers gives me a deep sense of proudness. Raising money for this projects which supports children who are blind or handicapped shows how even small contributions can make a big impact. I enjoy working with other volunteers who share the same passion, interest, and it motivates me to do help out and volunteer more. These fundraisers remind me how lucky I am and how much we can achieve when we come together to support those in need. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts can truly change the lives of the students and their education.  Harini Kopparapu: Working with VT Seva was very rewarding. Helping gather  funds for education and healthcare projects around the world made me realize how much of the difference we can make. Seeing people‘s generosity was inspiring, and working with other volunteers showed me how helpful teamwork is. It taught me that even small efforts can lead to big changes overall it made me feel proud to contribute to something so meaningful. Bhagya Shetty: It was really nice getting to work for such a great cause and also inspiring. I loved seeing how we made an impact on these kids and will definitely be participating next year!  Sanyog Iyengar: This outreach project for the Nethra students allowed me to realize how intelligent and bright these Nethra students are, and how much they can accomplish given the proper tools   Youths fulfilled the minimum requirements: Lillian Applebaum, Shivani Nimmagadda, Anvika Perumalla, Pranavi Annavarapu, Avantika Nair, Riya Bagri, Himanish Pasula, Varshan Muhinthan, RoboKnights FTC Team, Deekshita Chittala, Jennah Najor, Andrea Zou, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Hiba Zyna, Izyan Zunair, Shipra Valli  Lillian Applebaum: This outreach taught me how important education is and how lucky everyone who has access to schooling is. Shivani Nimmagadda: I really enjoyed the outreach event by Vt Seva. I was able to improve my communication skills and understand the importance of supporting a good cause. Anvika Perumalla: The Annual Outreach Project is a small way for us to get involved and help out students at a disadvantage compared to us. Every small contribution we make truly makes a large difference in another childs life. The money goes towards all the resources that we students get at relative ease here displaying just how important the money we donate is. I am so glad to have the opportunity to participate in this project every year and get others in my community connected and inspired to participate as well.’ Pranavi Annavarapu: Reading about this cause and raising funds for these children has been such an amazing and inspiring experience. I loved having this opportunity to help out in any way that I can for our community. it’s incredible what we have been able to accomplish. I’d like to thank VT Seva for giving us this chance to support these children and to raise awareness about them to our own communities. this has been a very insightful experience/journey. thank u very much!!   Avantika Nair: Taking part in the Outreach Program this year was truly an amazing experience! I got a lot of exposure talking to people and informing them about our cause and why it’s important. I really enjoyed collecting donations, supporting children at the Nethra Vidyalaya students, and making a real, positive change in their lives! I loved working with fellow team members to brainstorm ideas to collect donations. I also really enjoyed connecting with people to teaching them about our amazing organization! Overall, it was a really positive experience and one I hope to do again next year! Riya Bagri: Participating in the VT Seva fundraising project was a rewarding experience. Raising around $200 gave me a sense of accomplishment and showed me the power of community support. It was an opportunity to develop my skills while contributing to a meaningful cause. This experience reinforced my belief in the impact of collective efforts and has inspired me to get involved in future initiatives. Himanish Pasula: My 2024 Outreach went better than I expected! Starting off, I believed that raising $100+ would be a difficult number to reach. After attempting to have my friends support the cause, not receiving and donations helped me realize that asking my parents to help me would be the smartest next step. Many of my parent’s friends supported outreach leading me to my final amount raised: $170.  My 2024 Outreach went well because I was able to receive a positive first glance at how outreach works. In my following years I hope to raise more and more money because I now have more ideas on who to contact and how to talk to supporters to persuade them. Varshan Muhinthan: the struggle that underprivileged children in rural places in India face regarding such opportunities. However, this Outreach program has not just allowed me to better understand the impact of Nethra Vidyalaya schools, but also indirectly provide children with opportunities reminiscent of what we are graced with here. RoboKnights FTC Team: We are proud to support VT Seva in their mission to make a positive impact in the world.  Through this initiative, we have gained valuable insights about the power of coming together to help others and the importance of giving back to the community. Supporting this cause has taught us that even as kids, we can make a difference. It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about spreading awareness and standing up for what matters.  This journey has also brought us closer as a team. It reminds us that robotics is not just about building and coding—it’s about building a better world through collaboration, compassion, and action. We hope our efforts inspire others to support VT Seva’s mission and to take steps, big or small, toward making a difference.  Thank you, VT Seva, for empowering youth like us to be the changemakers. Deekshita Chittala: Outreach helped me realize how important school is for all children regardless of their conditions; everyone deserves an education. I was able to raise $125 to support these children through my parents and through family friends. In upcoming years, I hope to raise more money to donate for children’s education as I now have experience from doing it once. Overall, this project has made me feel really happy because I was able to help someone in need. Jennah Najor: During this project, I realized how much every dollar counts for the students in India. I learned that, in my experience, it was harder to raise money, but I still tried my best. Through my experience this year, I have learned how I can be better next year, and can’t wait to! Andrea Zou: The outreach program was the first initiative I took part through VT Seva. It was a really empowering experience. Through reaching out to potential donors and working with fellow VT Seva members, I’ve truly realized the impact that we can have on the world if we work together. It was an opportunity for me to directly support the education of students who needed it. It was amazing to be able to see and support their potential, as they kept on making one achievement after another. Their achievements have also motivated me to grow, to push beyond the limitations I might have set upon myself. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program, and can’t wait to see how much more impact we can bring next year. Aditi Jethri Kompally: This year, outreach allowed me to connect with the community and share the causes that VT SEVA supports. Engaging directly through various programs allowed me to see firsthand the real impact of our efforts. Being part of this work has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Working alongside such a dedicated team of volunteers inspired me, and the gratitude we received from those we helped reminded me of the true importance of giving back. This experience not only deepened my sense of community but also strengthened my passion for continuing this mission in the future. Hiba Zyna: Being part of VT Seva's outreach project was an incredibly meaningful experience. Supporting blind children in India through education gave me a deeper appreciation for compassion and the power of giving back.  Organizing fundraisers and spreading awareness helped me grow as a leader and team player. Seeing the real difference our efforts made in these children's lives was truly rewarding.  I'm so grateful for this opportunity and am excited to continue contributing to meaningful causes like this in the future. Shipra Valli: Raising support for VT Seva blind students in Nethra Vidyalaya was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Knowing that my efforts could contribute to the education and opportunities of these students was deeply fulfilling. It made me realize how impactful even small acts of kindness can be. This experience wasn’t just about helping others—it also gave me a sense of purpose and gratitude. It reminded me that when we take the time to give back, we not only make a difference in someone else’s life but also grow as individuals.   Priya Jaisankar: The past five years as an outreach project lead for VT Seva Detroit have been a profoundly rewarding journey of service, collaboration, and growth. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need while working alongside an incredible team of dedicated volunteers and passionate youth leads. Year over year, our youths are increasing the bar to support more Nethra students.  I’m deeply thankful for the trust and support we’ve received from the parents and donors. I’m so humbled to read all the reflections from our youth leads to see how much passionate they were and how much they learnt from this project. This is not just a fundraising project, this is a leadership project where they get to reach out to people, build network, enhance their communication skill, grow their empathy, learn to handle rejections, and become a great leader. Once again so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey.   Article Written By: Priya Jaisankar