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VT Seva Detroit successfully conducted a food drive & fundraiser at the Kroger Store in Novi, MI, in support of Food Gatherers, Ann Arbor . With open non profit solicitation permitted by the store, our dedicated volunteers collected 931 lbs of non-perishable food (27 boxes) and $1,214 in cash donations , translating to over 3,000 meals for underserved families in the region. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Sunny Reddy , philanthropist and Board Member of Wayne State University, for his generous matching donation, and to the many kind Kroger customers who contributed between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Despite chilly outdoor conditions on March 24th our volunteers stood strong and engaged shoppers throughout the day, requesting donations of canned goods, packaged food, and other essentials. The response was truly heartwarming. We are incredibly grateful to Kroger Novi Store Manager Mike, who has supported VT Seva’s efforts year after year by welcoming us into his store and encouraging our mission of service. At the end of the day, Mike personally thanked our volunteers and appreciated their enthusiasm and commitment to giving back. Check out what our youth volunteer has to say : https://youtube.com/shorts/IkxfEaIRRJ4?feature=share Detroit Local 4 also came by to visit us : https://youtu.be/W99OPvXAfrw?feature=shared Checkout Detroit Local 4 News Channel about VTSeva Detroit Kroger Open Solicitation Event on March 23rd, 2025 Our amazing volunteers who made this drive a success: Youth Volunteers: Kaustubh Dingari, Yashasen Jagtap Kushi Kanumuri ,Tritha Parikh, Avni Patel, Arav Patel ,Advithi Kothapalli, Varshini Barla,Shravya Dumbala, Pahal Shah, Aashritha Golla,Akshara Datla, Rana Nagoji, Yathi Debbata,Varun Aerabati Adult Volunteers: Suresh Rajan, Vanitha Gopalan, Srinath Karnati, Venkat Pisipiti, Srivardhan Dingari, Jyothi Srinath, Vaishnavi Aerabati, Vijaya Datla, Chandra Kanumuri, Durga Nalini, Prasad Golla We would like to thank Sudheer Koppu, Priya Jaishankar, Jaishankar, Nandhini, Sreenivas, Asha, Chirag to stop by on the event day to cheer and support. Also, We would like to thank Swati, Praveen, Lavanya for helping us to drop off the food items boxes at Food gatherers.

From April to June 2025, the VT Seva Detroit Branch has completed over 45+ projects consisting of/such as Greeting Card projects that are sent out to  community members to uplift them, multiple local community service events, to the annual Car Wash to raise funds to support the education of visually-challenged kids. VT Seva Detroit has continuously created opportunities for the Youth to help the community and learn their impact. Here is a recap of Q2 (April - June) events. VTS Club High School Projects: IAE: DAV Flower-making Event, 4/2/2025 Mental Health Goodie Bags, 4/14/2025 Goodie Bag Distribution, 5/2/2025 Mother’s Day Greeting Card project, 5/6/2025 DRAW, 5/10/2025 Rock Painting, 5/16/2025 DAV Flower-making, Event 6/2/2025 Father’s Day Greeting Card Project, 6/5/2025  Troy High: DAV Flower-making Event 1, 4/7/2025 DAV Flower-making Event 2, 4/29/2025 DRAW, 5/20/2025 Greeting Cards for Seniors, 6/8/2025 United Community Family Services, 6/27/2025 NFHS: DAV Flower-making Event, 4/2/2025  DAV Flower-making Event, 4/9/2025 Teacher Appreciation Week, 5/5/2025  Fleece and Thank You, 5/27/2025 WIHI: Goodie Bag Project1, 4/3/2025 Goodie Bag Project2, 4/9/2025 Goodie Bag Project3, 4/10/2025 Goodie Bag Project4, 4/11/2025 Goodie Bag Project5, 4/15/2025 DAV Flower-making Event 1, 4/25/2025 DAV Flower-making Event 2, 5/2/2025 Senior Center Flower Making Activity, 5/23/2025 Senior Center Flower Making Activity, 5/24/2025 Senior Center Flower Making Activity, 5/25/2025 Detroit Events: Kalamazoo Group Grocery Bags Drive, 3/29/2025  Destined for Greatness Volunteering event, 4/5/2025  DAV Flower making project, 4/4/2025 Medical Relief Volunteering, 4/12/2025  Earth Day Clean Up Volunteering, 4/26/2025 DRMM Volunteering Event, 5/24/2025 Black Pond Woods Stewardship Workday, 5/31/2025 Forgotten Harvest, 6/7/2025 Fleece and Thank You, 6/14/2025 6th Annual Soccer Tournament, 6/21/2025 Food Gathers Volunteering Event, 6/28/2025  Youth Board Events: Adopt A Road, 4/13/2025 Sneaker Drive, 4/15 - 5/30/2025 Greeting Cards Project, 5/11/2025 FocusHope, 5/17/2025 Police Appreciation Card Making/New Volunteer Meet and Greet, 6/1/2025  Walkathon Kickoff, 6/6/2025 Car Wash, 6/21/2025 Manoogian Senior Center, 6/23/2025 VTS High School Project: IAE: 4/2/2025 - IAE: DAV Flower-making Event On April 2nd, 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! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DH8n0EZJDLe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 4/15/2025 - IAE: Mental Health Goodie Bags On April 15, 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!! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIc1uwMts05/?igsh=bmlwazh2bmo3Z2F5 5/2/2025 - IAE: Goodie Bag Distribution On May 2nd, after the hard work of our volunteers in creating these Mental Health Awareness Goody Bags, the month of May arrived and during our lunches we passed out all of the goody bags to the students and staff. We hope everyone liked the goody bags, and awareness was spread through this initiative! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJK71NNJhx6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/6/2025 - IAE: Mothers’ Day Greeting Cards Project On May 6th, 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!! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJhEFTwtLDK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/10/2025 - IAE & Troy High: Disaster Relief at work On May 10th, 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. Youth Volunteers: Ahan Devaraj, Kishore Parthiban, Vedaanth Ashokkumar, Darshith Geepalem, Krithik Bhat, Rathneesh Bala . Adult Volunteers: Balamurugan Janarthanam Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJkyo1dIK5D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/16/2025 - IAE: Rock Painting On May 16th, 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! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ5F28KSjTK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/2/2025 - IAE: DAV Flower Making Event 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).  Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKseX-5SLpN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 6/5/2025 - IAE: Father's Day Greeting Card Project 2 weeks ago, 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! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLBGAzwSWmg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit’s 5th Annual Walkathon Kickoff On June 6, 2025, VT Seva Detroit proudly launched its 5th Annual Youth-Led Walkathon, an inspiring tradition that brings together the community to walk for a cause. This year’s proceeds will support Angels of Hope, an organization dedicated to assisting families impacted by cancer. Youth leaders form their own teams and raise awareness and funds to support this initiative. The kickoff was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of purpose as youth leaders took charge of organizing and leading the initiative. A highlight of the day was the High School Senior Send-Off, where graduating youth volunteers were honored for their years of service, leadership, and commitment to making a difference. Their journey with VT Seva has left a lasting impact, and they serve as an inspiration for the next generation of volunteers. Troy High: 4/7/2025 - Troy High: DAV Flower Making Event 1 On April 7, 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.   Volunteers: Vedaanth Ashokkumar, Kishore Parthiban, Tanishka Nethaji, Shalini Srinivas, Rathneesh Bala, Hardik Bhoopathi, Ahan Devaraj, Darshith Geepalem, Arjun Pratap, Akmal Abdul Nazeer, Arush Deshmukh, Henil Patel Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIPEvVWPo1g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 4/29/2025 - Troy High: DAV flower making event 2 On April 22, members of the VTS Club at Troy High School honored Disabled American Veterans (DAV) by handcrafting small tribute flowers. This meaningful gesture showed appreciation for the brave service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Volunteers: Vedaant Ashokkumar, Kishore Parthiban, Tanishka Nethaji, Shalini Srinivas, Rathneesh Bala, Hardik Bhoopathi, Ahan Devaraj, Darshith Geepalem, Arjun Pratap, Akmal Abdul Nazeer Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIw5xqoyNV6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/10/2025 - Troy High & IAE: DRAW 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. Youth Volunteers: Ahan Devaraj, Kishore Parthiban, Vedaanth Ashokkumar, Darshith Geepalem, Krithik Bhat, Rathneesh Bala . Adult Volunteers: Balamurugan Janarthanam Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJkyo1dIK5D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/8/2025 - Troy High: Greeting Cards for Seniors Troy High VTS members came together on May 27 to create handmade cards for the residents of the Brookdale Senior Center. Each card was filled with warm wishes for a joyful summer and heartfelt messages. Once the cards were complete, we personally delivered them to Brookdale. Seeing the residents' faces light up as they read our messages was incredibly rewarding. Their happiness and gratitude made the experience truly special for all of us. Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLBc-HSjgV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/27/2025 - Troy High: United Community Family Services On 7/7 and 7/8 Troy High VTSEVA volunteered at United Community Family Services.  On 7/7 where we packaged backpacks for children containing snacks and food for them for the week! We also moved several Items regarding clothes, appliances and decor  in their free shopping center warehouse for families in need. On 7/8 we volunteered as camp counselors for their summer study camp! We helped them with homework, served food and monitored them during their free time along with teaching them science topics this week. UCFS provides programs that guide, support, and empower individuals and families. We are grateful for the chance to support a great cause and work with the families firsthand! Project Lead: Anirvin Ramanan Youth Volunteers: Rathneesh Bala, Ahan Devraj, Shalini Srinivas, Shriya Doddugani Harish. Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL3zdhmtY2F/?igsh=c2gyYXZkOXVheW42 NFHS: 4/2/2025 and 4/9/2025 - NFHS: DAV Flower making event On April 2nd and 9th, VTS members volunteered after school to create “forget-me-not” flower crafts to honor and 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!! Volunteers: Masera, Nora, Lillian Applebaum, Izyan, Shivani, Samriddhi, Rita, Lauren K., Lauren R., Lillian Bono, and Kennedy Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKuq8EFv4UU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 5/5/2025 - NFHS: Teacher Appreciation Week NFHS VTS Club students were showing the love this Teacher Appreciation Week! Taking time out of our homeroom to create personalized “thank-you!” cards was one way to honor the teachers who have enhanced the richness of our lives by inspiring us, providing valuable guidance, or being an adult to rely on in the lives of students in need of one Good teachers are invaluable to society, and these cards help serve as a reminder of how much teachers help shape the next generation. We wanted to express our gratitude towards the teachers who often do much more than they get credit for by doing their job! Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvPtS9NXVj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/27/2025 - 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! :) Volunteers: Samriddhi, Noreen, and Kennedy Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKtFOUxNEft/?igsh=MWdsbjk5NGhrZHJ1ag== WIHI: 4/3/2025, 4/9/2025, 4/10/2025, 4/11/2025 & 4/15/2025 - WIHI: Goodie Bag Projects 1-5 WIHI VT Seva made 119 senior packages for the graduating class of 2025! each of these packages had an assortment of items, including playdoh, hershey kisses, gum, a squishy fidget, sticky note tabs, and a heartfelt note of congratulations and goodluck Volunteers:  Aiden, Saanvi, Alicia, Matteo, Pierce, Aanchal, Aishani, Allegra, Joselyn, Angelina, Mahika, Ruby, Andrea, Avantika, Mugdha, Alexa, Shreya, Aadya, Isha, Ryan, Aarit, Manish, Mugdha, Jaden, Shreya, Anantika, Navya Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DI6XRmQxibY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 4/25/25 & 5/2/2025  - WIHI: DAV Flower making events On 4/25 and 5/2, we hosted our DAV Forget-Me-Not Event. During this service event, volunteers and handcrafted forget-me-not flowers. We then attached these flowers to notecards to honor veterans suffering from disabilities in appreciation for their brave service. We made 1250 flowers! Volunteers: Aadya, Aiden, Aishani, Aanchal, Alicia, Allegra, Andrea, Avantika, Jaden, Matteo, Mugdha, Pierce, Ruby, Saanvi, Shreya Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJPDAs2Rog2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/22/2025, 5/23/2025 & 5/25/2025 - WIHI: Over two days, WIHI VT SEVA held a volunteer event where students made pipe cleaner flowers for DAV. A lot of students came by to help, and the atmosphere was full of energy, laughter, and teamwork. We created a variety of colorful pipe cleaner flowers, and later visited a senior center, where we taught the residents how to make their own. We also shared the flowers we had made and helped them turn them into small bouquets, which they absolutely loved! It was a simple but meaningful way to give back, and the strong turnout showed how much everyone enjoyed coming together for a good cause.  Volunteers: Aanchal, Pierce, Alicia, Andrea, Aiden, Aadya, Saanvi, Allegra, Noa, Aishani, Shreya, Sadie, Aashi, Ella, Anantika, Alexa, Sahasra, and Matteo Links: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKshO1ixA51/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Detroit Events: 3/29/2025 - Kalamazoo Group Grocery Bags Drive A group of 7 youth volunteers from the Kalamazoo region,  Michigan took part in this 1st service activity to help Twelve baskets, a local food party in Kalamazoo.  Together, they all collected 275 bags & donated to the food pantry.These bags will help them to pack groceries to all the families in need during food distribution. Youth Volunteers: Advay Boda, Adithi Tadepalli, Sanvi Gole, Sejal Lohmor, Srilekha Tadepalli Adult Volunteers: Revathy Tadepalli and other parents who helped drop off bags at the food pantry Links: https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid029nJYzuosEiR643oGD7jv1MtSoCBoeXMa4JXec1gQ9fWahmbu7j44mhjR3JkcV7bXl?rdid=nyODR7R6EZafgK52 https://www.instagram.com/p/DIMxO3Sxvk8/?igsh=NTQwOXh6anM3NDRt 4/5/2025 - Destined for Greatness Volunteering event Youth Lead: Videep Routhu More than 500 Detroit families were supported through our efforts. On April 5th, 2025, both youth and adult volunteers came together for a volunteering event at Destined for Greatness. We sorted clothing that will be distributed to those in need on April 16th. This effort wasn’t just about organizing clothes—it was about preparing a space for healing and support. When individuals arrive to pick up clothes, they’re also asked about deeper challenges they may be facing, such as unemployment, housing insecurity, or mental health concerns. The team at Destined for Greatness ensures they are connected to the right resources and guidance to find real solutions. Volunteering today played a direct role in helping others’ lives get better. Youth Volunteers: Videep Routhu, Varshini Barla, Kaustubh Dingari, Siddarth Ram, Tarun Senthilkumar, Anvi Patel, Shraya Ved, Akshara Datla, Dhruvi Shah, Sai Praval Kotha, Sanyog Iyengar, Medhansh Mansanpally, Aaryan Gajawada, Aarthi Ravikumar Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Ramesh Routhu, Vijaya Datla, Shilpa Shah, Ravi Datla, Srivardhan Dingari, Lalitha Barla, Priya Doreairaj Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GWmXtTJwD/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DIIW27Juhde/?igsh=MWlqYnY0cGcwMndlYg%3D%3D 4/4/2025 - DAV Flower making project Youth Lead: Arav Patel Impact: Our volunteers made over 5000 forget me not flowers to give to our veterans. Forget Me Not National Day is on November 10th in the USA & it is a special day that reminds us to honor and support veterans who have returned from service with injuries and disabilities. During this forget me not flower making activity,  our youth volunteers exhibited great team work & it was a fun team building experience as well working together & accomplishing the goal. Youth: Arav Patel, Anvi Patel, Dhruvi Shah, Tirtha Parikh, Anushka Vikram, Saanvi Rameswarapu, Kapil Inamdar, Ranchana Raghunathan, Harshita Vangaveti, Harini Kopparapu, Rana Velagapudi, Kaustubh Dingari, Anirudh Madhamshetty, Pahal Shah Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/163f8jfFs4/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DIKQHyTxPUF/?igsh=M3Y4NzdoenRicjF3 4/12/2025 - Medical Relief Volunteering Youth Lead: Sanyog Iyengar Together, we helped sort out over 4 large boxes of  medical supplies and determine which ones are expired or are still usable. These will be used by people in need in many developing countries. We had the privilege to volunteer at the World Medical Relief, where we all sorted through medical equipment which will be sent to places in need of high quality medical equipment.  The World Medical Relief is also a state of the art pacemaker facility, and they gave us an amazing tour of their facility, where they collect, sterilize, and repair pacemakers before they are then given to others who need them. Youth Volunteers: Sanyog Iyengar, Rana Nagoji, Siddarth Ram, Kaustubh Dingari, Varshan Muhinthan, Tarun Senthilkumar, Varshini Barla, Shravya Dumbala, Yathi Debbata, Tejas Raja Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan; Srivardhan Dingari, Suresh Rajan World Medical Relief has given aid to 70+ countries, fueled by the commitment of 6,000+ volunteers. The work that they do is truly amazing, from sourcing medical equipment to send to countries to being the only place in the world where pacemakers can be refurbished. We are extremely grateful for World Medical Relief to be providing us with such a wonderful opportunity. Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cs8poUDKK/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZalmORfkz/?igsh=dXRncWcyZHNxbThl 4/26/2025 - Earth Day Clean Up Volunteering Youth Lead: Sai Sri Ram Karnati VT Seva Detroit volunteers were honored to take part in the City of Farmington Hills' 12th Annual Litter Cleanup event. Nine dedicated volunteers walked more than 2.5 miles clearing litter along the stretch from 9 Mile and Haggerty Road to Gill Road, collecting over 6 bags of trash. Splitting into two groups, they efficiently divided the route and worked hard to leave the sidewalks looking spotless. Youth volunteers: Anvi Patel, Arav Patel, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Rana Nagoji, Shreyas Posam, Saanvi Rameswarapu, Yashasen Jugatap Adult Volunteers :  SrinathBabu Karnati, Swathi Debbata Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JkJBTp4B9/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DKQxQUuuxBW/?igsh=MWZvYjgyMTFhaGh5OQ== 5/24/2025 - DRMM Volunteering Event  Youth Lead: Tarun Senthilkumar Together, we were able to help Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries Genesis House II homeless shelter, which serves over 120 Detroit families in need. We  contributed to their mission through a variety of service activities, including: •   Painting rooms to help improve the living spaces for residents •   Sorting clothing donations to ensure individuals have access to essential items •   Mopping and cleaning the entire hallways to maintain a clean and safe environment •   Cleaning and organizing the dining room and library to create a more welcoming atmosphere •   Serving dinner to the families living at the facility, offering support and kindness through a shared meal Youth Volunteers: Tarun Senthilkumar; Kushi Kanumuri; Sanyog Iyengar;  Sai Sahasra Namuduri; Akshara Datla; Pahal Shah; Swara Rege; Tejas Raja; Rathneesh Bala; Amogh Mavatoor; Rishabh Mavatoor; Siddarth Ram; Shalini Srinivas; Varun Aerabati Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan; Suresh Rajan; Praveen Kanumuri; Vaishnavi Aerabati;  Vijaya Datla; Raghunathan Namuduri The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals overcome homelessness, poverty, and substance. Through its wide range of programs, DRMM addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each person, with the goal of helping them rebuild their lives and become healthy, productive members of the community. Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/16dqxcoyoq/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DKQxQUuuxBW/?igsh=MWZvYjgyMTFhaGh5OQ== 5/31/2025 - Black Pond Woods Stewardship Workday Youth Lead: Anushka Vikram Together, we helped restore and preserve Black Pond Woods by removing invasive plant species, contributing to the health and beauty of Ann Arbor’s green spaces. Our volunteers had the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our local environment by participating in a stewardship workday at Black Pond Woods, a vital part of the green corridor of parks in Ann Arbor. This area includes 62 connected properties that are essential to maintaining local biodiversity and natural beauty. The event focused on environmental conservation through: 1. Hand-picking invasive plant species across the Black Pond Woods nature property, including garlic mustard, bittercress, and dame’s rocket, to make space for native plants to thrive. Our volunteers’ dedicated efforts directly supported the health of this unique woodland ecosystem and contributed to the long-term preservation of local green spaces. Youth Volunteers: Anushka Vikram, Siddarth Ram, Ameya Yeddula, Rana Nagoji, Mihir Inamdar, Sai Sahasra Namudri, Varun Aerabati, Rathneesh Bala, Saanvi Rameswarapu, Kishore Partiban Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Vikram Muthyam, Vaishnavi Aerabati, Raghunath Namuduri Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/19BKo61A77/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DKYX0i8oBo_/?igsh=c2E5bW5vMGs5cnlz 6/7/2025 - Forgotten Harvest  Youth Lead: Sahara Namuduri Our volunteers were able to pack 15,000 pounds of produce, fruits & food items that would be distributed to various metro Detroit food pantries & homeless shelters, thus serving the underprivileged people in need!! All of our volunteers worked together in various areas such as - Sorting foods like vegetables, fruits, TV dinners, dairy, and baked goods for better categorization - ⁠Identifying and removing old foods for the safety of the people that benefit from this system. - ⁠Cleaning the equipment and tables to ensure that a sterile and clean environment is upheld. Here are our volunteers who participated in this event: Youth Volunteers: Sahasra Namuduri, Hasini Ramannagari, Ameya Yeddula, Manya Narasepalli, Arshi Narasepalli, Krithi Alugoti, Anushka Vikram, Yathi Shekar Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Snigdha Lakkakula, Swara Rege Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Raghunath Namuduri Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BnwKaxr8s/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DK0512OA2ih/?igsh=ZHhzNDlpNzNtd3g1 6/14/2025 - Fleece and Thank You  Youth Lead: Shraya Ved With our help, Fleece & Thank you could quality check 533 blankets, which will be distributed to children in hospitals to support them during their long-term illness. This was a very fulfilling experience for all our volunteers in this event & everyone worked together to quality check these blankets to distribute to children in hospitals all over Michigan. Aspects of the quality check are: 1. Checking to make sure blankets are properly tied together 2. Making sure there are no rips or stains on blankets Youth Volunteers: Aarav Holani, Devon Holani, Snigdha Lakkakula, Rathneesh Bala, Ameya Yeddula, Arav Patel, Ishaan Jaseen, Advithi Kothapalli, Shreeya Sahu, Shraya Ved, Sanyog Iyengar, Varun Aerabati, Shiv Ramamurthy Adult Volunteers: Neha Ved, Pallavi Patel, Avani Holani, Vaishnavi Aerabati Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C8Yr3cWwF/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DLBlPVcIYk0/?igsh=dGRlam5meTZmYzZl 6/21/2025 - 6th Annual Soccer Tournament  Our 6th Annual Soccer for a Cause Tournament concluded with great success on June 21st 2025 - 22 thrilling games across 3 age groups and over 120 passionate players! Each year, we continue to grow—and this year’s turnout, energy, and spirit were simply unmatched. This year's spirited tournament not only brought together passionate players, families, and volunteers but also helped us raise enough funds to support the education of 12 visually challenged kids at Nethra Vidyalaya for an entire year. That's the true victory! Youth Volunteers: Shruthika, Yathi Shekar, Nemish, Advithi, Ishaan, Akshara, Sri Bhargava, Paheli, Srivibha Adult Volunteers Venkat, Abhinav, Srinath, Bala, Sudheer, Keerthy, Vanitha, Nandini, Darshan, Sreenivas, Priya, Jaishankar, Sarath, Praveen and Suresh. Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GmyDpzyaa/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DLyr971MWVR/?igsh=MWF1aTg5MHltaHZrag== 6/28/2025 - Food Gathers Volunteering Event Youth Lead: Advithi Kothapalli Our volunteers were able to sort through 1,232 pounds of rescued food donations that will be delivered to families in need by Monday, supporting the fight against hunger in our own community! All of our volunteers worked hard in various areas such as: • Sorting food donations in the freezer, identifying whether each item was safe for delivery, compostable, or ready for disposal • Ensuring all rescued items were properly categorized before being sent out to over 150 community partner organizations • Helping maintain a clean sorting environment We are incredibly grateful to Food Gatherers, a Washtenaw County nonprofit that rescues over 10 million pounds of food annually, for giving us the opportunity to serve. With 1 in 7 people facing food insecurity, every pound of food sorted makes a huge difference. Youth Volunteers: Advithi Kothapalli, Akshara Datla, Varun Aerabati, Rana Nagoji, Xiangxiang Zhou, Ameya Yeddula, Rathneesh Bala, Anish Kompella, Siddarth Ram, Shreeya Sahu, Kishore Parthiban, Sanyog Iyengar, Rishabh Mavatoor, Arav Patel, Avni Patel Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan. Suresh Rajan, Sarat Kothapalli, Vaishnavi Aerabati, Sanjana Datla, Bala Janarthanam Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvUrPG9JM/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DLjKvSnuG9B/?igsh=OWVyeGd6em1rNGxi Youth Board Events: 4/13/2025 - Adopt A Road  In honor of Earth Day, VT Seva Detroit Youth once again showcased its commitment to environmental stewardship through action, not just awareness. 8 mile road between haggarty and meadowbrook - a stretch proudly adopted by VT Seva. On 13th April 2025,  9 enthusiastic youth and 6 dedicated adults came together to clean 1 mile of road on both sides, covering 2 miles. The team found and cleared a wide variety of litter, ranging from the expected to the unusual - cigar butts, soda cans, plastic bottles, wood sticks, metal plates, golf balls, and even a squirrel skeleton. This event wasn’t just about removing debris—it was about instilling values of responsibility, respect for nature, and the power of youth-led change. Our youths felt proud knowing that they’re the reason this road is clean. The Adopt-A-Road program has allowed VT Seva Detroit’s youth volunteers to take real ownership of their environment. Through regular cleanups like this, they learned first-hand the impact of pollution and the importance of being proactive citizens. Youth Volunteers: Aashirtha, Aditi Jethri, Advithi, Kushi, Harini,  Oviya, Rana, Siddarth & Tarun Adult Volunteers: Jaisankar, Praveen, Prasath, Murali, Sarat & Priya Link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BfqqBtKNz/ ?\ https://www.instagram.com/p/DIb5PWwOueZ/?igsh=MXNmYXN3cGpsYWNseQ== 04/15/2025 - 05/30/2025 - Sneaker Drive  In a powerful effort led by five VT SEVA youth leaders, over 260 pairs of sneakers were collected from friends, family, neighbors, and community members over the course of a few weeks. These shoes weren’t just donations, they show the passion behind each of the youth leaders and VT SEVA as a whole. We also have 20 other VTSEVA youth board volunteers who donated for this cause. While donating to GotSneakers, this initiative will greatly benefit the environment by reducing the carbon footprint, help underserved get a chance to wear a good pair of shoes and most importantly support VT Seva’s Feeding Hope program which provides food to visually challenged and tribal students. This drive shows that small steps—like giving your old sneakers—can lead to big change. Each pair donated is a pair not polluting our earth, a student given the support to succeed, and an opportunity for the youth to take the initiative. Be the reason someone walks toward a brighter future. Youth Volunteers: Ahan, Akshith, Ameya, Arav, Avni, Dhruvi, Hardik, Harini, Kalki, Kavi, Kishore, Mihir, Rachana, Rathneesh, Shalini, Siddarth, Swara, Tanishka, Tarun, Varshan, Varshini, Varun Link: https://www.facebook.com/100064605402887/posts/1117271377103032/?rdid=MebDpylUSsSgBe4z# https://www.instagram.com/p/DK060S3gUmA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 5/11/2025 - Greeting Cards Project Youth Lead: Oviya Jaisankar In celebration of Mother’s Day, our VT Seva Detroit Youth Board members once again brought joy to a very special group of people through their creativity and compassion. This year, our youth created heartfelt Mother’s Day greeting cards that were delivered to residents at the Manoogian Manor and Woodhaven Retirement Community.  For many of the residents, small gestures like these hold deep meaning, especially during holidays that can sometimes feel quiet. This project was incredibly special—not just for the recipients, but also for our youth. While delivering the cards, we had the honor of meeting several of the mothers, including Sandra and Helen. Their gratitude was heartfelt—Sandra and Helen gave us warm hugs and shared their blessings for our future.  Helen insisted that we stay for dinner and get teary-eyed when we had to leave. Thankfully, we will be visiting them again soon! Thanks to all our youth volunteers who made the cards! Youth Volunteers: Oviya Jaisankar, Swara Rege, Varun Aerabati, Kushi Kanumuri, Rithika Bommati, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Avni Patel , Arav Patel , Videep Routhu, Aanya Das, Saanvi Rameswarapu, Shreya Shetty, Dhruvi Shah, Advithi Kothapalli, Drithi Reddy Bathula, Yash Jagtap, Rachana Raghunathan, Vedhya Raja, Sanyog Iyengar, Supraja Pattangi, Shipra Putrevu, Hiba Zyna, Ananya Sankar, Ameya Yadala, Aashritha Golla, Kushal Durga Adult Volunteers: Komathy, Shilpa, Srinath, Nalini, Priya Link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZYyTHF81F/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DJglesPvakJ/?igsh=MTNyYnpwMWl2bjlteA== 5/17/2025 - FocusHope Youth Lead: Rishabh Mavatoor For over 56 years, Focus: HOPE has continued to fight racism, poverty, and injustice. Each year, Focus: HOPE serves thousands of community members across Southeast Michigan. On May 17th, 2025 VTSEVA Detroit youth board had an amazing time volunteering at the Focus Hope organization. We helped pack non perishable items, canned foods, dry food, and drinks into boxes and got them ready to be delivered. We were able to make around 1000 food boxes and 100 personal hygiene boxes, and these boxes would be delivered to seniors at churches and apartments. This was a great experience  as it allowed us all to understand how privileged we are to have food every day and how we can help others who may not be so fortunate. Youth Volunteers: Aaryan, Advithi, Amogh, Anusha, Dhruva, Kishore, Rathneesh, Rishabh, Sanyog, Tejas, Adult Volunteers: Niveditha, Bala, Raja Ameya Link: https://www.facebook.com/100064605402887/posts/1100374595459377/?rdid=3rMzebnNXwbs7Z3c# https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ8NhybO0LA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/1/2025 - Police Appreciation Card Making/New Volunteer Meet and Greet On June 1st, 2025, for the very first time, VT Seva Detroit Youth Board organized a "New Volunteer Meet n Greet & Police Appreciation Card Making"event at the Farmington Library. 21 of our Youth Board members participated in the event with their friends to give them an opportunity to learn about VT Seva, its mission, services and accomplishments by your amazing Detroit volunteers, both locally and internationally. During the event, VTS Detroit YB Leadership Team: Siddarth Ram (President), Oviya JaiSankar (Secretary), Amogh Mavatoor (Communications Lead), Advithi Kothapalli (Communications Lead), organized beautiful informative posters followed by a presentation for the new volunteers to learn about VTSEVA'S five pillars and gave them glimpses of what they are gaining by joining our team. Followed by the presentation, volunteers socialized with yummy snacks and participated in making beautiful and thoughtful Appreciation Cards for our Novi Police officers, thanking them for their service to the community and keeping us safe. These cards will be presented to them during our annual visit on Police Appreciation Day on 20th Sep 2025. A total of 10 new youth joined our team and together with 20 of our current Youth Board members they made about 74 appreciation cards for the Novi Police department. Link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/1Qewfw8eFX/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DKqk0EbshFo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/21/2025 - Car Wash Youth Leads: Varshan Muhinthan, Sanyog Iyengar On a very hot, sunny day, a group of 10 enthusiastic VTSEVA Youth volunteers rolled up their sleeves for a meaningful cause. With buckets, soap, scrubbers, posters and plenty of teamwork, they managed to raise money to support one NetraVidyala student's education. Their teamwork, energy, and community spirit made a real difference—and showed how even small efforts can lead to big impact. Thanks to each and everyone who helped these kids reach their goal.. Youth Volunteers: Amogh Mavatoor, Aarthi Ravikumar, Advik Ramesh, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Rithika Bommathi, Sanyog Iyengar, Shreeya Sahu,  Tejas Raja, Varshan Muhinthan, Varun Aerabati Adult Volunteers: Muhinthan, Nalini, Sripriya, Vaishnavi Link:  https://www.facebook.com/share/19d8Bv2LX4/ ? https://www.instagram.com/p/DLRObcoghP1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 6/23/2025    - Manoogian Senior Center Youth Lead: Oviya Jaisankar On Monday, June 23, VTSEVA Detroit Youth Board had a wonderful time at the Manoogian Manor Senior Center spending time with the residents during their Monday night gathering. During the event, all the volunteers spent time talking to the seniors about their days and learning about their lives, helping the seniors play lawn games like cornhole and ladder toss, and passing out some delicious, refreshing drinks that were perfect for the hot summer day. In addition, we also got to listen to some beautiful music played by Sanyog Iyengar on a keyboard that was in the facility. By the end of the event, we hadn't realized how much time had passed and the residents didn't want us to leave, but we assured them that we would be back soon enough and that we couldn't wait to spend time with them once again. Overall, we all had such a fun time at the event and can't wait for the next one! If you were not able to make it this time, hopefully we will see you at our future visits this summer! Youth Volunteers: Oviya Jaisankar, Yathi Debbata, Nimish Debbata, Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Arav Patel, Sanyog Iyengar, and Tejas Raja. Adult Volunteers: Priya Jaisankar, Jaisankar Kannan, Suparna Iyengar Link: https://www.facebook.com/100064605402887/posts/1126586966171473/?rdid=v7Gd5BOaFCrpnfeU# https://www.instagram.com/p/DLTv9f1Ovt6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

“Persistence guarantees that results are inevitable” – Paramahamsa Yogananda Being part of a group with a primary goal of expressing gratitude to the community through service inspired us to consider ways in which we could leave our mark on society. VTSeva’s core beliefs lead us to seek for methods that could be implemented in our own community. We started to ask certain questions: How could we spread awareness about this organization’s goals? How could we implement our ideas? What can we do to build on this organization’s strengths and leave our own mark? This notion gave rise to our plan to establish an exclusive club at Troy High School to represent VTSeva and its core ideals. Hearing about other high schools that started their own clubs inspired us to get things started. We initially began by gathering information about how school clubs worked. Through alumni within VTSeva, we asked questions and noted down all the important factors that went into successfully starting and running a club. We started communicating with our school’s directors to understand the process and requirements to start a club. Just as we started gaining momentum, we encountered our first problem. While VTSeva is unique in the opportunities that it provides and the diverse people that it attracts, it was already a known fact that there are existing clubs with similar roles at our school. Our first task was to explain why this club would be different from others. With some help from others within the school and the youth board director Priya Jaisankar , we were able to successfully convince the school that we are a beneficial group to the school and it’s values. Second was to find a teacher sponsor. However, finding a teacher is not easy, especially at Troy High. With the number of clubs available and running at Troy, the majority of teachers are too busy sponsoring other clubs to add another onto their list. But, after looking for some time, we were able to find a teacher interested in helping us with our cause. With these requirements fulfilled, we were able to be a part of the club fair which scouts students to joining different clubs and activities. And we are proud to say that we were able to add 50+ new students to the cause. All this leads us to present day. We have finished our elections for the student board for the club and have added some amazing , hard-working students to the organization. Anuraag Balaji- President Srihari Ananthalwan- Vice President Leo Schmidt- Secretary Vishnu Athreya- Event Coordinator Haresh Anand & Komal Yedla- Comm. Leads Ajitesh Venkatesh- Tech Lead We have had several events sent out to people within the club and have had a number of people participate in them. And we had our first VTSeva Club event exclusively for the Troy High VTS Club, Salvation Army Bell Ringing event successfully. Once again, congratulations to our board, and we’re looking to create a great school year full of volunteering opportunities! Article Written By: Srihari Ananthalwan Article posted by Nandini Cheemalamarri (VTSeva Detroit Communications)

“ Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ― Winston S. Churchill This would be the perfect quote to describe the entire process of getting the VTS IAE club approved. As many may assume from the idea of just starting a club to the part where you actually put effort into making it happen, it wasn’t very straightforward. At first, when we went to present our club idea to the Vice Principal, who controls all clubs and approvals, he was very skeptical of the concept and asked a lot more questions. I found it hard to answer some of these questions so instead, I gave responses such as, “We are in the process of figuring that out,” or, “That’s a great question I haven't thought about that, maybe I can get back to you,” this allowed the other person to feel like you were open to their criticism and questions as well. Later in June of 2022, we finally received an email from the Vice Principal saying that our club was approved but we could only start as an official club from the next school year. The relief at that moment was indescribable. We immediately started to work on finding places we can volunteer as a group and recruit members who are interested in the club. Our first official event was at the Open Door Outreach Center. We sorted and folded clothing donations that the center received to go onto the shelves of their thrift store. This was a fun event where we bonded with each other and learned how future events that we would have to host may run. By the time the new school year started, we had already accomplished several events such as Troy Nature Center Cleanup, Rouge Park Cleanup, and Gardening help at the Balaji Temple. We also had some remote events that some people participated in such as the Annual Walkathon and the Greeting Cards Project. With so much already done, we had a good idea of how this club may run and the responsibilities that came with setting up events. As soon as the school year started, however, we again faced some struggles as the Vice Principal began to have second thoughts about the club. It took us a lot of convincing once again and persistence in order for our club to be where it is today. Our stall at the club fair was a huge hit. We got 60 more students to join during our club fair and many kids were very enthusiastic about participating in possible activities that we had planned for the new school year. With the first official club meeting on September 8th, for VTS IAE, we started out with around 75 total members. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of people who stood by my side and helped me through the process. I would like to thank the Detroit Youth Board Director, Priya Jaisankar for guiding me through the entire process, my parents for keep encouraging me to try and accomplish my goals, my friends who were always supportive, and of course the school administration which approved of this club but also made me think about all the different ways I can improve my club and make sure it's successful. We have had various volunteer events that IAE volunteers have attended during the school year such as Rochester Community Schools 5K Run, Cottage Painting Child Welfare Agency Volunteering, Essential Workers Project, and the Balabharathi Soup Kitchen. After each event volunteers got an opportunity to reflect upon their experiences and post them on Facebook and Instagram. Volunteers seemed to enjoy the Balbharati Soup Kitchen the most as we all worked together to feed 120 kids peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Not only did we do various events in this short period of time but we were also able to establish a 2022-2023 board for our club. The club elections ran from September 13th- 21st and we were successfully able to make a strong board. Thank you so much to everyone who ran for the board and showed their interest in taking a leadership role for this club. Here is our 2022-2023 board! ● President- Anvika Perumalla ● Vice President- Tarun Rajesh ● Secretary- Rahul Perala ● Activity Director- Christeena Boddakayala ● Communication Lead- Sairaaga Perala ● Google Classroom Manager- Venkata Nemani Once again, congratulations to our board, and we’re looking to create a great school year full of volunteering opportunities! As a board and club some things that we want to accomplish include establishing a connection with various organizations so we can go back and volunteer with them periodically. We also hope to create as many opportunities as possible so that each club member can actively participate in the club, whether through in-person events or remote events we conduct at school. We have a lot planned and are excited to see what we can accomplish this school year! This is just the beginning, and it's only going to get better from here. Article Written By: Anvika Perumalla Published By: Nandini Cheemalamarri

“We rise by lifting others.”  - Robert G. Ingersoll             VT Seva has always strived to help NethraVidyalaya students in India. This time the Youth in our community stepped up. On August 27, 2023, the International Academy East Board and the Troy High School board members from VTS clubs came together to organize their first-ever collaborative Tennis Tournament event. Through this tennis tournament, both schools encouraged young tennis players to embrace their talent while promoting good health and supporting the education of Netra Vidyalaya students in India. The two student-led groups put in work from July to August to arrange this event. Board members from these schools took charge of planning and organizing this event. There were many tasks that the student leaders had to complete for a successful event: Promoting the event, collaborating with the Troy Public Library (TPL), speaking with the sports administration, finding sponsors, and encouraging students to volunteer.   Srihari initiated the event, he spoke with the sports administration at Troy High School, and booked the venue. Both school board members promoted the event through various avenues, placed flyers in various shops, shared on social media, distributed flyers to shoppers in front of shopping complexes, collaborated with the Troy Public Library (TPL), and many more. These young leaders found sponsors to support the event and encouraged club members to volunteer.  Over a series of meetings, the student board members planned out which tasks needed to be prioritized and continued by dividing the tasks to complete them efficiently. Those who were working on the promotion of the event created a flyer which they posted on social media as well as hanging the flyers in public areas such as the Troy Racquet Club (TRC) and TPL. Some of the board members were also a part of the TPL board which allowed for significant promotion in the event along with additional volunteers. While planning this event, we realized how crucial it would be to find a sponsor who would help not only to set up the event but also provide extra funds to support students in India. To find a sponsor, the group decided to create a brochure to advertise the opportunity and reach out to coaches at local tennis facilities such as TRC. At first, it was a real struggle to get people to participate in the event. No matter how much we advertised, we still couldn’t get many kids to participate. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance to get those in our community to participate and send the message to others. Many of us took shifts standing in front of a Patel Brothers in Troy, handing out fliers, and talking to those who came in and out of the store about the event we were conducting. We handed out around 200 fliers and got many people not only interested in the event but our organization as a whole. We had an anonymous donor donate $100 even though they were not able to participate! This was a great example of how people in our community were willing to help in the cause we were so passionate about. For the next week, we continuously kept advertising the tournament whether it was posting about it on our social media every day, or hanging up more posters in places we worked such as LifeTime and Mathnasium. All this work finally paid off when August 27th rolled around.    On the day of the event, 13 teams had been registered to participate! Before the event officially began, volunteers helped check in the registered players. As more players started to arrive, they warmed up together on the courts. After everyone had arrived, the tournament was ready to begin. It started with groups of four playing 3 games with each partner in the group and then reporting their score to a volunteer. This helped determine where players would be placed in the rest of their matches. After the matches were played in groups, the players would play with their partners in a bracket where the winners of each match would advance to the next round. These matches were played best out of three to win in that round. During all matches, parent volunteers were on the sides of the courts as judges so that fair calls would be made and there would not be any disagreements. Once all matches finished, winners were announced and they were awarded with trophies. Additionally, all players received certificates for their participation.              Overall, we were very proud to announce that through both registration fees and sponsorships, we were able to support 6 students’ education. Our initial goal was to provide at least 2 students but we were able to triple our goal with the help of everyone in our community! It was truly an inspiration not only to the board members but also to the parents and youths who participated to see the direct effects of their work. Participants later mentioned to the board members how fulfilled they felt as they were able to help other students in our community. We can proudly say that everyone went home that day with a large smile on their face. Trophy or not, all the kids who contributed that day were true winners. Board members like to extend their appreciation to Troy High School, Sponsors, Participants, and Parents of Board members for helping the students identify sponsors and helping with the tournament, Varnika & Anuraag for reaching out to sponsors, Srihari for initiating the tournament & securing the venue, Venkat P from VT Seva Detroit for sponsoring trophies and helping with game, Eddie Lin for sponsoring water bottles and snacks, volunteers for setting up the game and refereeing the games,  HS Club Co-Ordinator Priya Jaisankar for guiding the whole event from the initial stage to successful tournament. Please click here for more pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/aiRfkgAQF99zDGS6A    Blog Written By: Abhiram Mudeganti

Celebrating Cultures | Empowering Vision | Uniting Communities VTSeva Austin youth board is thrilled to present our 5th Annual Fundraising event Vasudha-Beats for a Cause 📅 Date: Saturday, Aug 09  2025  🕕 Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST  📍 Location: St Philips United Methodist Church, Round Rock, TX  —An exciting multicultural fundraising event that brings communities together through the power of rhythm, dance, and purpose! Join us as we celebrate diversity while raising essential funds for the education of visually challenged students in India and for scholarships for blind and visually impaired students right here in Texas. 🌎💫 🗓 Event Details 📅 Date: Saturday, Aug 09  2025  🕕 Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST  📍 Location: St Philips United Methodist Church, Round Rock, TX  📝 Event Tickets Whether you want to be a sponsor or attend the event or simply donate for the cause you are welcome you! 👇 Click below to buy your event tickets: 🌍 Why This Event Matters Sponsor holistic education (academics, sports, digital literacy, life skills) for visually challenged students in India. Provide scholarships and resources for blind and visually impaired students in Texas. Promote youth leadership and cultural inclusion through volunteerism. Let’s come together to make education accessible to all, regardless of sight. 🌟 What to Expect ✅ Dynamic cultural performances  ✅ Global music and dance acts ✅ Food & fundraising stalls ✅ Youth-led presentations ✅ Opportunities to sponsor a child’s education ✅ Meet our inspiring volunteers Bring your family and friends for an evening of cultural celebration, community engagement, and compassionate giving! Our Beneficieries : Funds raised will go towards College Scholarships for eligible Blind and visually impaired High schools graduate students of TSBVI (Texas School for blind and visually challenged). Education  sponsorship for VT Seva owned Nethravidhyalaya schools, Impacts of Donation and volunteering : Austin Impact : https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vtseva-empowers-tsbvi A "Real Voice" Listening space with latest signle listening dome in TSBVI school Library built by VTSeva in 2023 costing $20,000 Donated $30,000 in check for serving the students of TSBVI. International Impact https://www.vtsworld.org/blog/categories/nethra-vidyalaya-accomplishments https://www.vtsworld.org/post/lalitha-killaka-clinches-silver-medal-at-2023-asian-para-games World Blind Cricket champions   Asian Para Athelete champions   Beats for a Cause 2024 Led by our passionate youth volunteers, this cultural event brought together music, dance, and community to raise funds for 120 visually challenged students  in India and Texas. From stage to behind-the-scenes, our youth made it all happen — proving that when young hearts lead, big change follows. 💛 Stay tuned for Beats for a Cause 2025 !

Our amazing adult volunteers organized a flood relief drive of school supplies for kids going into school this upcoming year. We extend our deepest gratitude to all our donors, volunteers, and well-wishers who generously supported the Liberty Hills, Leander, and Georgetown relief efforts. Your kindness and contributions made a significant impact! A special thank you to Brianna, a dedicated teacher at LISD, for opening her home to collect all the donations. She has been instrumental in sorting supplies for our elementary, middle, and high school students in collaboration with the school district. We also want to acknowledge our wonderful adult volunteer, Komal ji, for her outstanding coordination between the school districts and VTseva. Your efforts have been invaluable! And of course, a huge shout out to Veena ji for her incredible support in organizing the supplies collection. Thank you all once again for your hard work and commitment. Together, we are making a difference! Check out the post at: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16k6VxxwEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

VT Seva Detroit is organizing their Annual Basketball tournament, on Aug 9th, 2025  from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Legacy Church Novi, 45301 West 12   Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48375 . All proceeds from this tournament will go toward supporting the schools for the visually challenged children at Nethra Vidyalaya .  These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. Date:     August 9th, 2025 from 9:00 AM EST Venue: Legacy Church Novi, 45301 West 12   Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48375 .   Registration link:   https://forms.vtsworld.org/form-6849375/vt-seva-basketball-tournament-2025   ¨     Open games 3 v 3 format. Come join us and play for the cause!

Workday, California based company, a leading provider of cloud-based enterprise solutions, during its annual Diwali Dosti event, partnered with VT Seva, a non-profit organization serving visually challenged children in India.  Thirty-three Workday employees combined volunteered over 50 hours of their time, converting print books to digital format.  Employees proofread digitized curriculum books increasing educational access for visually challenged children. In response Workday provided a $2600 corporate team grant to support VT Seva's initiatives.  VT Seva representatives (Arthima, Harmya, Hasini, Shetal and Rukmini) engaged with Workday employees, sharing information about the organization and facilitating meaningful dialogue. Workmates also took time to write encouraging notes on handwritten and Braille cards made by youth volunteer’s to be delivered to VT Seva supported kids. This collaboration highlights the positive impact made when corporations embrace social responsibility.  Workday's commitment to non-profit orgs VT Seva empowers visually challenged children and serves as an inspiration for future partnerships.  VT Seva expresses its sincere gratitude to Workday employees and leadership for their generous support. A special thanks to Phani Aduri, Project lead for Digital books, for his help.  Check out the Video below & the impact of empowering visually challenged individuals  Click here for the Event pictures! Article Written by: Harmya Karra

May 10, 2025 𝐕𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 - 𝐏𝐕𝐒𝐀 & 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐎𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡, 𝐕𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 (𝐏𝐕𝐒𝐀) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟗𝟑 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒. Distinguished guests included 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢. Special thanks to Lt. Dimitri Caldwell for his support. Chief Mitchell delivered a keynote highlighting the shared values of service between police officers and VT Seva youth. Senator Jones inspired attendees with his motivational message. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏—now including 19 youth clubs, 70 volunteering events in 2024, and support for 250+ visually challenged individuals. Youth volunteers also shared how VT Seva has impacted their lives. In recognition of National Police Appreciation Week (May 11–17), 𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 “𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬..”The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks, acknowledging all officers, guests, volunteers, sponsors, and the VT Seva team for making the event a success!

At VT Seva, our youth volunteers lead with heart—on and off the field. Saicharan Vellanki, a dedicated VT Seva volunteer and Prajna student, recently proved this by winning the 2025 U-2000 Table Tennis National Championship. In this interview, he shares how discipline, humility, and a spirit of service have shaped his journey as both an athlete and a person. 1. What was your mindset going into the 2025 U-2000 National Championship? Going into nationals, I kept one thing in mind. This was that in every match, even if the opponent were far better or if I was losing within the match, I would not give up and continue fighting. Additionally, I decided not to care too much about the result. If I won the match, I would celebrate the victory. If I lost, I would move on to my next events, continuing to play my best. 2. How did you prepare—mentally and physically—for this level of competition? Physically, I played table tennis almost every single day. This would be in the form of private classes with my coach, playing with my friends, or participating in the weekly mini-tournaments on Saturdays. This practice was necessary for me to perform well. Mentally, I didn't think too much about how I would perform in the tournament or the results I would achieve. I always kept a clear mind and stayed focused in the moment, continuing to prepare and practice. 3. When did you first start playing table tennis, and what drew you to the sport? I started playing table tennis at the age of 7. I was drawn to the sport as I watched my dad and other players, much higher than my level at the time, play. I wanted to be just like them, and my table tennis journey had begun. 4. Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor in your table tennis journey? My biggest mentor in this sport has been my coach, Eric. He has taught me the skills and strategy I know in the sport and made me the player I am today. Additionally, he has taught me valuable life lessons, such as discipline and, most importantly, the ability to accept and learn from loss. 5. How have you balanced academics, volunteering, and competitive sports? Balancing academics, table tennis, and volunteering has not always been easy. Some days, I would have to stay awake very late after my late-night table tennis class to complete my unfinished schoolwork. Volunteering and table tennis would sometimes be adjacent, making me rush from one to the other. However, my motivation to always improve helped me overcome these problems. 6. Has your experience as a Prajna student influenced your approach to discipline and focus? As a student of Prajna from a young age, I learned important life skills that I was able to apply in table tennis. Mainly, it was discipline and the ability to stay focused on my goals. With these two qualities, I continued to push forward in my table tennis career, even when practicing was tiring and draining, ultimately paying off in the end. 7. What does volunteering with VT Seva mean to you? To me, volunteering at VT Seva means giving back to my community and those who are less privileged than I am. Many things, such as water, food, shelter, and education, are often taken for granted; however, not everyone has access to these necessities. Bridging this gap has been my motivation for volunteering at VT Seva. 8. How has community service shaped your perspective as an athlete? Community service has kept me humble and respectful, both as an athlete and as a person. Many players, after winning one medal or tournament, become arrogant and disrespectful, thinking very highly of themselves. However, in the end, this ultimately ruins them as a player, and their wins turn into losses. Community service has reminded me that no matter how many medals and wins I achieve, humility and respect are even more important than these things. 9. What are your goals for the future—both in table tennis and beyond? In table tennis, I hope to keep competing at the national level and share my knowledge with younger players who have just begun this sport. Beyond table tennis, I hope to pursue a career in computer science, particularly in the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, specifically, in cancer. 10. What advice would you give to young athletes who are just starting out? For young athletes, I would advise them to trust the process and view a loss as a learning opportunity. The hours they put into the sport will ultimately pay off one day or another, and even if unexpected results occur, they should continue pushing as the desired results come one day. I would also tell them one loss doesn’t mean anything. It does not define them as a player, however, what defines them is how they take that loss. If they take it as an opportunity to learn rather than getting caught up in it too much, they will become a better player than they already are. We’re proud to see Saicharan embody the values of VT Seva in everything he does. His story is a reminder that service, perseverance, and humility can take you far—whether in sports, studies, or life. Congratulations, Saicharan!

The art of true sportsmanship is not only shaped by winning, but by being able to embrace defeat, respect and participating with integrity. VT Seva Boston is organizing a Pickleball tournament, on July 12th, 2025  from 4:00 pm at Clock Tower Pickleball, 200 Homer Ave, Ashland, MA 01721. All proceeds from this tournament will go to support the schools for the visually challenged children at Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide high-quality education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. Please make sure to go through the Rules and Guidelines document before you register.

We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the 6th Annual VT Seva Detroit 'Soccer for a Cause' Tournament – 2025 Edition!  This year’s spirited tournament not only brought together passionate players, families, and volunteers but also helped us raise enough funds to support the education of 12 visually challenged students at Nethra Vidyalaya for an entire year . That’s the true victory!   Incredible Energy. Unmatched Spirit. Community United. From the opening game to the final whistle, the tournament was filled with excitement, fierce competition, and fantastic sportsmanship across all age groups. With 12 teams competing in 3 divisions, every game delivered thrilling moments and memorable finishes!   Congratulations to our 2025 Champions: Group 1 (Ages 10–15):   Rage Baiters  defeated Fanboys 5–3 in an action-packed final, showcasing impressive skill at such a young age! Group 2 (Ages 16–19):   Novi Nights  beat Jiggles FC 7–4 in a fast-paced, high-energy final—great teamwork and camaraderie on full display! Group 3 (Ages 20+):   Detroit Stars  made a powerful return after a one-year break and triumphed over Hawk FC 4 to 2  to claim the rolling trophy , passing it on from last year’s winners, Team Abhinav. What a comeback!   📸  Tournament Photos & Videos https:// photos.app.goo.gl/APu3cppHhqBLQvKq9   Standings summary before the finals: Group 1:   Group 2:   Group 3:   The knockout rounds kept everyone on the edge of their seats after an intense round-robin phase. It was a day of non-stop action, enthusiasm, and unity—all in support of a noble cause.   Shoutout to Our Youth Captains A special mention to Adhip, Rathneesh, Siddharth, Rishabh, and Tarun —our spirited VT Seva youth leaders who not only promoted the event but also formed and led their own teams!   Gratitude to Our Game-Day Heroes Huge thanks to our game coordinators, referees, timekeepers, and volunteers for their precision, fairness, and tireless commitment.   A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers! This event would not have been possible without the relentless dedication of our incredible volunteer team .🔹  Youth Volunteers : Shruthika, Yathi Shekar, Nemish, Advithi, Ishaan, Akshara, Sri Bhargava, Paheli, Srivibha🔹  Adult Volunteers : Venkat, Abhinav, Srinath, Bala, Sudheer, Keerthy, Vanitha, Nandini, Darshan, Sreenivas, Priya, Jaishankar, Sarath, Praveen and Suresh. Special applause to Darshan, Abhinav, Venkat , and all the non-playing referees  who ensured the games were conducted smoothly and fairly. Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors: Akshaya Patra – for their generous sponsorship and delicious food, once again BSHM Financial Services LLC (Suresh Kaku) – for unwavering annual support Square S Strategies (Subhash)  – for their continued generosity Hari Kakuma/Sri Lakshmi realtors – for their continues support to VT Seva causes Roots Juice Bar (Alvin)  – for the friendship and steady backing of this cause   To Our Incredible Volunteers – You Made This Happen! Endless thanks to our Detroit Strong  VT Seva volunteer family—youth and adults alike. From hours of pre-event planning to on-the-ground execution, your dedication powered this entire tournament. We are so grateful for your energy, teamwork, and heart.   Together, we played hard, served with purpose, and raised hope for 12 young lives. Here's to an even bigger impact next year!

Career Compass isn’t just about what you want to be, it’s about who you want to become. That’s the million-dollar question. When you're navigating college, careers, and everything in between, it’s tough to know where to begin. From March 23 to April 2, 2025, VT Seva hosted our first-ever Career Compass series, a virtual week of real conversations with six inspiring professionals across tech, finance, healthcare, and government. Over 500 curious students showed up, Zoom links ready, to ask the big questions: What’s it really like to work at Google? Do investment bankers actually sleep? Is AI taking over the world, or just our spreadsheets? These weren’t just slides and job titles, they were stories. Stories about figuring things out, taking risks, changing paths, and staying curious. Whether it was hearing how a YouTube content moderator became a tech lead at Google or how a philosophy major landed on Wall Street, every session reminded us: there’s no one “right” path, just your path. The Career Compass series was designed to empower VT Seva’s youth volunteers by exposing them to real-world career journeys and providing direct access to professionals across diverse fields. As these students start making critical decisions about their futures, hearing directly from accomplished professionals across a variety of fields gives them a chance to ask questions and fully understand the choices ahead of them. More than just a webinar, Career Compass gave our attendees the chance to gain mentorship-level advice and understand the day-to-day realities of different careers. Visit vtsworld.org/vtscc25  to learn all about our Career Compass series! Mark Nehmer, Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency March 26th, 7:00 PM ET Our series kicked off with an incredible session from Mark Nehmer, the Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, an agency of the Department of Defense. He walked us through DCSA’s structure and mission, protecting America’s trusted workforce, and discussed how AI and automation are transforming security clearance and background investigations. Mark shared the agency’s software engineering career paths, emphasized learning languages like Python and C++, and spoke candidly about AI’s current capabilities, including its limits and potential for bias. He also reflected on his own journey, encouraging students to pursue careers that align with their passions and values. Sam Bloch, Program Manager at Google March 27th, 6:00 PM ET Our next session featured Sam Bloch, a Program Manager at Google, who gave attendees an inside look at his unique career path - from starting as a YouTube content moderator to now leading child safety quality programs at Google. Sam emphasized the importance of communication, empathy, and adaptability when working on global teams and handling sensitive content. He also shared practical advice on breaking into tech, recommending programs like Google’s UX Certificate and encouraging students to start personal web design projects to build real-world skills. His story served as an inspiring reminder that curiosity, persistence, and people skills can shape a successful tech career. Tom Maslyk, Technical Program Manager at Ford March 29th, 3:00 PM ET Up next, we heard from Tom Maslyk, an IT executive at Ford Motor Company with over 40 years of experience across Ford, Accenture, and IBM. Tom spoke about the importance of continuous learning in tech, encouraging students to stay adaptable and build both technical and soft skills. He shared practical insights on understanding business requirements, the role of AI in boosting developer productivity, and using tools like job shadowing and skills assessments to guide career planning. His session offered a grounded, real-world perspective on growing a meaningful career in IT. Dr. Aparna Tamirisa, Internal Medicine Physician at Slim Healthcare Associates March 29th, 5:00 PM ET We wrapped up our opening weekend with an informative session featuring Dr. Aparna Tamirisa, an Internal Medicine physician at Slim Healthcare Associates. Dr. Tamirisa explained the distinctions between internal and family medicine, outlined common conditions treated by internists, and shared the diverse career paths available within the field. She emphasized the importance of compassion, continuous learning, and scientific curiosity in medicine, while also offering guidance on finding shadowing opportunities, preparing for pre-med studies, and exploring whether medicine is the right fit. Her candid insights gave students a clear, grounded view of the realities of a healthcare career. Akshath Mahajan, Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley April 1st, 7:00 PM ET We started the new month with a relatable and insightful chat featuring Akshath Mahajan, an incoming Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley. Akshath, a Stanford graduate in Computer Science and Philosophy, walked us through his journey from exploring interdisciplinary studies to breaking into the world of finance. He offered practical advice on choosing a major, managing college life, and preparing for competitive internships. Akshath also demystified investment banking, shared his summer analyst experience, and discussed the growing role of technology, highlighting how tools like Python and automation are reshaping the finance industry. Mike Prokic, Vice President and Chief IT Strategy Officer at Trinity Health April 2nd, 5:00 PM ET The Career Compass series finished strong with an electric session led by Mike Prokic, Vice President and Chief IT Strategy Officer at Trinity Health, the largest healthcare system on the East Coast. Mike offered students a behind-the-scenes look at healthcare IT, discussing real-world challenges like cybersecurity threats and rising software costs. He emphasized flexibility, the growing role of AI in medical workflows, and the importance of networking, mentorship, and early internships. Drawing from his own journey, Mike encouraged students to explore broadly, manage their time well, and approach career decisions with both curiosity and intention.

In Dallas, TX, hearts and minds gathered for a retreat that was much more than a celebration, it was a call to action. The 17-year milestone of VT Seva (Volunteering Together for Service) was honored with reflection, recognition, and renewed resolve. Amidst the larger celebration marking the 30-year journey of JET USA , the retreat offered an inspiring glimpse into what makes VT Seva unique. A mission rooted in compassion, driven by youth, and guided by vision. HH Chinna Jeeyar graced Dallas with his divine presence from June 8th to 15th. As the saying “Everything is big in Texas” this week-long celebration was a grand success. Leaders and volunteers from all across the USA came together and made it a festival to celebrate. On June 13–14, 2025 , VT Seva volunteers from across the country came together in Serengeti Estates, Dallas, TX, for a powerful two-day retreat centered around one mission: Service with Purpose. This wasn’t just a gathering, it was a living, breathing reminder of how every act of seva (selfless service) can change lives and shape futures. With the divine presence and blessings of HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the retreat energized attendees to reflect, connect, and take actionable steps to uplift their communities. DAY 1 - 6/13/2025 The retreat was kicked off with a speech from President Sriman Kiran Vangala and Secretary Smt. Santhi Kanumuri shared the organization’s journey of growth and gratitude. Their reflections highlighted the vital role of youth volunteers, generous donors, and visionary leaders in expanding VT Seva’s reach in healthcare, education, environmental awareness, disaster relief, and youth empowerment. Followed with a heartfelt address by Sriman Kiran Vangala, who took a moment to spotlight the Executive Board members, the driving force behind VT Seva’s sustained impact. With deep gratitude, he introduced each board member, acknowledging not only their individual accomplishments but also their collective commitment to service. He praised their unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and tireless efforts that have propelled VT Seva’s mission across continents. “Behind every milestone we’ve achieved is a team that leads with humility, integrity, and purpose,” he remarked, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in collaboration and gratitude. It was a moment that reminded all attendees - volunteers, youth, and leaders alike that transformative change begins with committed leadership grounded in selfless service. Executive board members President - Mr. Kiran Vangala Secretary - Ms. Santhi Kanumuri Treasurer - Mr. Rajiv Bandi VP for Digital Media - Mr. Rajesh Bindu VP for Organization Growth - Mr. Sudheer Koppu VP for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation - Ms. Divya Ramireddygari Joint Secretary for Communications - Ms. Priya Jaisankar Joint Secretary for Special Programs - Ms. Vanitha Gopalan Grant Program Coordinator and Administrator - Mr. Rohit Nannegari Internship & PVSA Awards Lead - Ms. Madhavi Donepudi National Youth Board Director - Ms. Pranuti Kalidindi Advisor - Ms. Aparna Kamatam Advisor - Mr. Krishnakanth National Co-Ordinator: Volunteer Relations - Harish Jaisankar Communications - Praveena Pirla Mr. Rajesh Bindu took the stage to present the latest enhancements to the VT Seva website. With clarity and enthusiasm, he walked attendees through newly added features designed to make volunteering, donating, and staying informed more seamless than ever Mr. Kiran Vangala delivered an inspiring talk reflecting on the remarkable milestones and collective accomplishments of VT Seva. He emphasized how each achievement is the result of dedicated teamwork, unwavering volunteer spirit, and a shared vision to serve humanity. His words served as a heartfelt tribute to every volunteer, leader, and supporter whose efforts continue to fuel VT Seva’s mission, proving that when we come together with purpose, impact is inevitable. Milestones of Compassion & Progress: 17 Years of Impact $15 Million+ Invested in Service Initiatives Over the past 17 years, VT Seva has channeled more than $15 million towards uplifting marginalized communities and strengthening all its service pillars 1,000,000+ Volunteer Hours Dedicated service hours reflecting an unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. 75,000+ Volunteers Engaged A powerful force of change-makers united by compassion and purpose. 400+ Digital Books Created Breaking barriers to education for the visually challenged through accessible resources 4,684+ Service Events Conducted Hands-on involvement in community welfare, education, environment, and health. 1,254+ Presidential Volunteer Service Awards National recognition for youth and adult volunteers making a lasting impact. 2,600+ Visually Challenged Students Empowered Providing inclusive education and life skills for independent, dignified living. 12,500+ Underprivileged Students Transformed From tribal schools to college campuses, unlocking potential through education. 3.3 million+ Cancer Screenings Promoting women’s health with early detection and preventive care. 20+ Global Relief Efforts Timely support is provided during natural disasters and humanitarian crises. 168 Youth Interns Trained Future leaders are shaped through hands-on service and real-world exposure. As the retreat unfolded, the spotlight gracefully shifted to the young volunteers — the heartbeat of VT Seva. With poise and passion, they stepped onto the stage to share their journeys, each story a powerful testament to the transformative nature of youth-led service. Looking ahead, the unveiling of Vision 2040 served as a defining moment. This forward-thinking strategy lays the foundation for VT Seva’s next chapter, one that emphasizes structured leadership development, global scalability, and community-centered innovation. It ensures that the youth of today are not just participants but the architects of a better tomorrow, equipped to serve with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Mr. Rohit Nannegari delivered a compelling presentation on Mahila Arogya Vikas, VT Seva’s flagship women’s healthcare initiative. He emphasized the urgent need for preventive care in underserved communities and highlighted the program’s impact through free cervical cancer screenings, awareness camps, and follow-up care. A key highlight was the introduction of an affordable, indigenously developed colposcope, making quality screenings accessible at scale. His message was clear: when service meets innovation, lives are saved. Ms. Divya Ramireddygari highlighted VT Seva’s impact across education, environment, and disaster relief. She shared how the organization empowers underprivileged and visually challenged students through quality education, restoring dignity and opportunity. She spotlighted environmental efforts from tree plantations to sustainability awareness, reflecting VT Seva’s commitment to protecting the planet. Ms. Ramireddygari also emphasized VT Seva’s timely disaster relief activities, such as providing food, medical aid, and support to affected communities. Her message underscored how service, when lived daily, transforms lives and brings hope where it’s needed most. Ms. Pranuti Kalidindi shared an inspiring vision for 2040, highlighting VT Seva’s strategic focus on national partnerships, digital infrastructure, and leadership development. She spoke about empowering 20,000 youth leaders, expanding volunteer engagement, and the role of the VTS RISE team in driving scalable, sustainable impact. Her message emphasized that with the right vision and collective effort, VT Seva is poised to transform communities nationwide for generations to come. VTS RISE Team: Southeast - Yashna Chokkarapu Midwest - Mahathi Duggirala Southwest - Lokavya Marredy Northeast - Pranav Vanga Westcoast - Anushka Sharma School Club Liaison - Kate Chirapornsuk Mr. Krishnakanth warmly invited all board members and branch directors to the stage, honoring their dedication and leadership in shaping VT Seva’s journey. With heartfelt appreciation, he acknowledged their tireless efforts in guiding the organization’s mission across the nation. As they stood together, a commemorative photo was captured with HH, symbolizing not just a moment but a shared legacy of compassion, collaboration, and impact. Day 1 of the VT Seva retreat was beautifully wrapped up with a powerful and inspiring address by VT Seva CEO HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. With deep wisdom and compassion, Swamiji emphasized the profound importance of seva (selfless service) as a path to both personal growth and societal transformation. He shared his visionary goal of expanding the reach of service, not just in scale, but in depth, empowering more lives through education, healthcare, and compassion-led action. His words served as a guiding light, reminding all that true fulfillment lies in serving others and that with unity and dedication, no dream is too vast. Day 2 - 6/14/2025 Day 2 began on an energetic and vibrant note with a captivating welcome dance performed by JET and VT Seva volunteers, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the Parai Music group. The performance set a joyful and spirited tone for the day, celebrating culture, unity, and the passion that fuels the spirit of service. Mr. Kiran Vangala kicked off the Day 2 session by highlighting the powerful synergy between VT Seva and JET, emphasizing how collaboration between the two can amplify impact and bring about lasting change. He spoke about the importance of unity in service and how shared values and vision can drive meaningful transformation in communities. Mr. Vangala then warmly introduced Meghana Adduri, setting the stage for her inspiring journey and heartfelt contributions through music and mentorship. Meghana Adduri shared her heartfelt experience from the VT Seva Summer Internship Program, where she had the opportunity to teach violin to students in the tribal schools. She spoke about how the students’ enthusiasm inspired her to continue guiding them even after the camp ended, conducting virtual sessions from home to help them grow in their musical journey. Her dedication stood as a beautiful example of sustained service and empowerment through art. Following her reflection, Meghana and her sister delivered a soulful violin performance, captivating the audience with their harmony and heart. HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji once again emphasized the vital role of seva in shaping a compassionate society. He spoke passionately about the importance of nurturing the future generation with values rooted in service, empathy, and responsibility. Swamiji encouraged the formation of VT Seva clubs in colleges as a way to engage and empower youth, instilling in them the spirit of giving from a young age. His vision is clear to build a generation of thoughtful leaders who lead with heart, purpose, and a commitment to uplift humanity. On the auspicious occasion of VT Seva’s 17th Anniversary, with the divine blessings of HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, we were humbled and honored to witness the release of three significant publications: VT Seva Coffee Table Book – a visual journey through 17 years of impactful service and heartfelt volunteerism. 2024 Annual Impact Report – a reflection of the lives touched across various service pillars including education, healthcare, and disaster relief. VT Seva Brochure – an overview of our mission, values, and ongoing initiatives. We express our deepest gratitude to Swamiji for His gracious presence and for releasing these publications that encapsulate our journey of service. His guidance continues to illuminate our path toward selfless giving and meaningful change. Mr. Sudheer Koppu took the stage to introduce the various VT Seva branches being honored for their outstanding contributions. With pride and enthusiasm, he invited each branch to come forward and receive a memento from HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, recognizing their dedication and impact. The moment was filled with gratitude and inspiration, as Swamiji personally appreciated the efforts of each team, reinforcing the spirit of unity and service that defines VT Seva. Branch Directors: Atlanta - Dr. Madhu Nemani Austin - Uma Rudraraju BayArea - Arthima Rondla Boston - Madhavi Donepudi Cary - Kalyani Sanka Chicago - Sridevi Ranga Cincinnati - Aparna Chada Columbus - Nanda Madadi Connecticut - Vikranth Suryadevara Dallas - Amita Avivur Detroit - Suresh Rajan Houston - Manjula Chokkarapu Maryland - Sobana Vasudevan Minneapolis - Srivani TK Nashville - Nishitha New Jersey - Mahipal Singireddy North Jersey - Swetha Panuganti Orlando - Rao Chaduvula San Antonio - Rajani Karla Seattle - Upender Sandadi St. Louis - Raja Daggumati Tampa - Sreeram Nagulu Virginia - Venkat Burri A heartfelt thanks to Harish Jaisankar, Priya Jaisankar, and Sudheer Koppu for expertly managing the audio-visuals throughout the event. Their seamless coordination and technical support ensured every moment was captured and shared flawlessly, enhancing the experience for all attendees JET and VT Seva Youth volunteers Dance: JET, Prajna & VT Seva youth volunteers beautifully danced for a Sonero song which was written by the staff of Statute of Equality about Sri Ramanuja Mr. Kiran Vangala expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone. Volunteers, leaders, and participants alike for their dedication, passion, and unwavering support. He acknowledged that it is through their collective efforts that VT Seva continues to grow and make a meaningful difference in countless lives. A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible volunteers, dedicated team members, board members, enthusiastic youths , and family members who joined us at the retreat and made it a truly meaningful and memorable experience. Your presence, energy, and unwavering support transformed this gathering into a celebration of service, unity, and purpose. Together, we not only reflected on our journey but also reignited our shared mission to serve and uplift. Here's to many more impactful moments ahead— as one team, one family, and one mission!

VT seva Hendricks Middle school club was established on August 20, 2024. VT seva Club’s first meeting was done on October 14, 2024. The president and vice president explained what VT Seva means. 56 people had signed up to be a part of Hendricks Middle School’s VT Seva Club, and around 25 people attended the 1st meeting. In this meeting, we came up with our first activity. We will donate our old Halloween costumes from previous Halloweens to kids in foster care. We are also deciding on leadership roles using a digital voting ballot.

April 4, 2025 On April 4, 2025, Lambert VTSeva held a senior-living visit to Antebellum James Burgess. Around 15 VT youth participated in the event. We helped to conduct a bingo game for the residents, helped them paint some pretty Easter-themed art, and made Easter cards for the staff to hand out to the residents on the day of Easter! It was heartwarming to see how much they enjoyed our company and we can’t wait to conduct another visit soon!

We are incredibly honored to share this post from TSBVI, one of our cherished beneficiaries, highlighting the positive impact of our recent donation to their visually challenged school. At VT Seva we firmly believe in the power of education and inclusivity. It brings us immense joy to contribute to TSBVI's mission of providing a brighter future for visually challenged students. Our recent donation of $30,000 done by our CEO Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannaryana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami ji is just the beginning of our commitment to TSBVI and the incredible work they do. We are dedicated to supporting their journey as they empower these remarkable students to reach their full potential. Thank you, TSBVI, for the opportunity to collaborate with you. We look forward to many more milestones together! Details of Swami ji Visit to TSBVI. https://www.facebook.com/TSBVI/posts/pfbid02BDULD69AfDg4r34K2pzSHMX8xsN6NwbfeshMfj27wqxDi4UDA6UhEVY7i3ExMyZml Services Our volunteers are doing at TSBVI : 1. Converting TSBVI library books to audio books. 2. Creating CD covers to the books recorded. 3. Building Listening space at TSBVI library.

How would you like to use your voice to light up a world of stories for those who cannot see? If this interests you, read on! The TSBVI Audio Book Project is an ongoing volunteer initiative to provide students of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired with audiobooks read by their peers. We are calling all elementary and middle school children to join us in gifting these children the chance to enjoy story books the same way we love reading them. This project has been running since October of 2022, and since then, we have successfully recorded 150+ books with the help of various youth volunteers.  Requirements: Grades 3+ Chapter books available for grades 8+ Windows or Mac device (Laptop/PC) OBI Software (Instructions to download software included in welcome email) Optional: External Microphone (recommended)  Once you sign up, you will receive a welcome email within 2-3 days detailing all the necessary information to get you started. As a member, you must join the WhatsApp group where all further communication occurs there. For any further questions, contact: vtsevatsbvi@gmail.com

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time. They just have heart."  — Elizabeth Andrew This powerful quote reflects the spirit of the VT Seva North Jersey 2025 Annual Event—an unforgettable evening filled with compassion, youth leadership, cultural pride, and a shared vision of service. This year’s event was not just a gathering—it was a movement of purpose. A Night of Celebration, Service & Impact Held on June 7th at Gandhi Center, the Mamatha 2025 Annual Event brought together over 400 attendees, including students, parents, community leaders, performers, and volunteers. The evening began with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and prayer, symbolizing the light of knowledge and service that VT Seva brings to the world. From that point on, the program unfolded as a heartfelt celebration of service through education, healthcare, environmental advocacy, and humanitarian relief. Highlights of the Event ✅ 400+ attendees joined the celebration ✅ Cultural showcase featuring classical, modern, and devotional dances  ✅ Emotional stories shared by youth about VT Seva’s impact  ✅ 100% youth-led emcee team  ✅ PVSA and Jeeyar Award recognitions  ✅ Announced Chipotle Fundraiser (June 14th)  ✅ Over $40,000 raised toward key causes (Netra Vidyalaya, Tribal Schools, Cancer Awareness) Cultural Performances – Tradition Meets Talent Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to 6 powerful cultural performances that celebrated Indian heritage and artistic expression: Shubanjali School (Classical Group Dance) Desi Boyz and RRR  (Group Dance) NrityaVidhya School (Classical Group Performances) AKS Dance Academy (Bollywood Medley) Kaisiki Dance Academy (Devotional Bhajan Dance) Each act was not just entertainment—it was a tribute to how culture and service go hand in hand. Youth EMCEE Team – Voices of the Future The entire evening was guided by a dynamic youth emcee team: who brought energy, grace, and professionalism to the stage. As they introduced each segment, they also educated the audience on VT Seva’s five service pillars: Nethra Vidyalaya (Education for the Visually Challenged) – Navya and Nakul shared stories of students who overcome blindness through technology and perseverance. Tribal Community Support – Satvik and Jannat spoke about transforming lives in remote villages through education, clean water, and transportation access. Cancer Awareness – Vera, Saanvi, and Prisha explained how VT Seva’s 6,400+ biopsies and 1,200+ camps have touched nearly 2 million lives. Environmental Advocacy – Meghana, Vaikha, and Shreya highlighted creek cleanups, tree plantings, and Earth Day drives led by local youth. Disaster Relief – Sampriti, Sahana, and Tanay reflected on food banks, PPE drives, and local support campaigns. Recognizing Outstanding Youth – PVSA & Jeeyar Awards One of the most moving portions of the event was the recognition of our incredible youth volunteers who earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Their hours of dedicated service were honored with: 🏅 8 Gold Award Recipients  🏅 9 Silver Award Recipients  🏅 9 Bronze Award Recipients Each name called on stage was a reminder that consistent effort—no matter how small—can lead to transformative change. Awards Summary 🥇 Gold Award Recipients (100+ hours) Akhil Yeduvaka Deepti Salya Meghana Neelisetty Nakul Ramprasad Prisha Munigala Rajneesh Satya Shreya Ekkaladevi Vera Bachu  🥈 Silver Award Recipients (75–99 hours) Diksha Padmanabham Diya Padmanabham Navya Ekkaladevi Saanvi Boddu Satvik Gunisetti Shaimak Hatt Srihith Majeti Vishruthsai Gunna Vishwaksai Gunna 🥉 Bronze Award Recipients (50–74 hours) Anvesha Bhagat Aryam Dichpally Ishita Gunisetti Neha Bondalakunta Rahil Parikh Sahana Jeyakumar Shravan Balakrishnan Srikar Majeti Vaikha Bheemana Fundraising with Flavor – Chipotle Night Incoming! The youth team proudly announced the upcoming Chipotle fundraiser on June 14th in Parsippany. All proceeds will go directly to supporting education and boarding for visually challenged students in India. It's a simple reminder that a meal can also be a mission. Thank You – Our Community of Change This night could not have happened without the countless individuals who gave their time, energy, and passion: 🙏 Volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes  🙏 Performers and choreographers who brought magic to the stage  🙏 Donors and sponsors for their generous support  🙏 Parents, families, and friends for showing up in spirit and strength Together, we created a night to remember—and a future filled with hope. VT Seva North Jersey’s 2025 Annual Event proved one thing loud and clear: Youth leadership is not just the future—it’s the present. With seva as our guiding light, we will continue to serve, support, and uplift communities in need. -By Nakul Ramprasad (North Jersey Youth Board Media Secretary)