By Mridula Vasudevan, Youth Chapter Mentor, VT Seva Maryland VT Seva Maryland is proud to recognize the commitment and leadership of our youth volunteers who participated in the Adopt-a-Road cleanup on August 30, 2026. Through teamwork and community service, our youth leaders helped clean a local Park and Ride area while demonstrating responsibility, environmental awareness, and compassion for the community. We sincerely appreciate all the volunteers and adult mentors who made this initiative successful. A Youth Leader’s Perspective By Akul Pallerla On August 30, 2026, I had the opportunity to lead a VT Seva Maryland Adopt-a-Road cleanup at a local Park and Ride area. I was joined by Arjun Chintalapati, Joshua Cabral, and Anay Pallerla. With the guidance of our adult leads, Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram and Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor, we worked together to make the cleanup successful. As youth leaders, we organized our responsibilities and made sure we covered the assigned area thoroughly. Working as a team helped us complete the cleanup efficiently while contributing to a cleaner and more welcoming environment. Small Actions Can Create a Big Impact This experience taught me that positive change does not always require a huge effort. When people come together with a shared purpose, even small actions can make a meaningful difference. The cleanup also helped me understand that leadership is not only about taking charge. It is about cooperating with others, encouraging teamwork, completing responsibilities, and serving the community with dedication. I am grateful to Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan, Branch Director of VT Seva Maryland, for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Adopt-a-Road initiative. I also thank my mom, Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram, and Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor, Youth Director of VT Seva Maryland, for their guidance and support. I sincerely thank Arjun, Joshua, and Anay for their teamwork and encouragement. Together, we showed that when youth step forward to serve, small steps can create a lasting impact in the community. Service begins with us - and every act of service makes a difference. BLOG: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vt-seva-maryland-adopt-a-road-cleanup-youth-leadership-in-action FB: INSTAGRAM:

By Mridula Vasudevan, Youth Chapter Mentor, VT Seva Maryland 🎖️ Tribute to Bharat 2026 was a month-long celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day, bringing together creativity, learning, patriotism, and service across VT Seva Maryland. A Parade of Pride, Unity, and Heritage The Indian Independence Day Parade on August 15th, 2026 was a tremendous success, filled with pride, unity, and celebration. Led with energy and dedication by Akul Pallerla and Arjun Chintalapati, the event brought our entire community together to honor India’s rich history and the heroes who fought for freedom. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Landsdale community and VT Seva Maryland for their unwavering support. Your encouragement, presence, and enthusiasm made this celebration truly special. Three Branches, One Community The Monrovia, New Market, and Montgomery branches came together to conduct and highlight this special 80th Independence Day celebration. Their collaboration reflected the strength of community and the true spirit of service. Poster Presentations: Bringing History to Life A huge round of applause goes to all the volunteers and children who poured their creativity and passion into the event. Their incredible posters, vibrant artwork, and thoughtful presentations on Indian freedom fighters brought history to life. Each child shared the story of a chosen leader with confidence, reminding us of the courage and sacrifice that shaped India’s independence. Throughout August, the youth volunteers and the broader VT Seva Maryland team prepared a poster series dedicated to India’s freedom fighters. The entire team created the posters, and Youth Chapter Mentor Mridula Vasudevan thoughtfully brought the poster series together into the video below as a highlight of the month-long celebration. Poster Series Highlights Poster series prepared by the VT Seva Maryland team and video compilation by Youth Chapter Mentor : Mridula Vasudevan. Youth Volunteers We gratefully recognize the youth volunteers who participated in the month-long poster series: Montgomery Arnav Suneja Ayush Meka Aditya Ramesh Sahaj Patel Aarav Bhatt Dhruv Suri Ayan Patil Akshaj Mareddy Srikar V. Hitansh Mathur Monrovia Chetan Sai Kankanala Misha Nabeel Kaviya Karthick Kumar Taara Vasudevan Anwesha Parida Manasvi Divi Tejasvi Divi Anag Pallerla Pragya Philkana Dheesidan Karthick Kumar Vihaas Venuturimilli Yuvan Panuganti Arnav Parida Aarush Srivastva Nayan Chintalapati New Market Ishaan Krishnan Reyansh Takallapally Velavan Murugesan Keerthi Siripurapu Anmol Tiwari Shantanu Pothireddy Aniket Tiwari We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every young volunteer and family who supported this initiative. Their dedication helped bring the stories of India’s freedom fighters to life. Patriotism in Every Step During the parade, all the volunteers proudly held the Indian flag and sang together in chorus. Their heartfelt voices echoed Vande Mataram and Jai Hind, expressing their love for Bharat and honoring the sacrifices of the nation’s freedom fighters. Service Alongside Celebration As part of the Independence Day activities, VT Seva Maryland collaborated with Landsdale HOA and the American Red Cross to conduct a blood donation drive—an inspiring example of celebrating freedom through service and helping save lives. Read the related story: Saving Lives Together: VT Seva Maryland’s 3rd Annual Blood Drive Crushes Goals! A Memorable Tribute to Bharat The parade showcased cultural pride, teamwork, leadership, and community spirit. Thanks to everyone who contributed their time, talent, and heart, this year’s celebration became a memorable tribute to India’s journey to freedom. Jai Hind! BLOG : https://www.vtsworld.org/post/tribute-to-bharat-2026-vt-seva-maryland-celebrates-india-s-80th-independence-day FB : https://www.facebook.com/share/1DjTQ6fuJf/?mibextid=wwXIfr INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/p/DdWJLjRkZmD/?stkn=bGxnNG9oMmRvbHN0

🩷 WALK FOR HER 2026 Every Step. Every Woman. Every Life. Walk. Run. Fundraise. Make an impact. This October 31st Lets scare the Breast cancer away. No tricks. No fear. Just awareness, action & hope. VTSeva Austin invites you to Walk for Her—a community movement bringing together runners, walkers, families, youth and volunteers to promote women's health and support women's health initiatives in underserved communities. 🌸 WOMEN OF AUSTIN — THIS WALK IS FOR YOU, ou take care of everyone else. Please remember to take care of yourself. Use this month as a reminder to talk to your healthcare provider about the women's health screenings recommended for you. And encourage another woman you love to do the same. 📍 EVENT DETAILS Brushy Creek Lake Park Check-in: 7:00 AM Half Marathon Start: 7:30 AM 10K & 5K Start: 8:00 AM Come ready to walk, run, connect with your community and make a difference. CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE 🏅 HALF MARATHON — 13.1 MILES Challenge yourself to go the distance while walking for a greater purpose. Our 2-month virtual walking challenge will help you build your walking/running routine and prepare for the Half Marathon. 13.1 miles. One purpose. 🏃 10K — 6.2 MILES Run or walk the 10K with your family, friends, running group or coworkers. Challenge yourself. Support her. 👟 5K — 3.1 MILES Your first 5K? A family walk? A run with friends? It doesn't matter how fast you go. Every step counts. 🚶 JOIN THE 2-MONTH VIRTUAL WALK CHALLENGE Don't wait until event day to start. Join our free Pacer community and make walking part of your everyday routine. Walk in your neighborhood.Walk with your family.Walk with your friends.Walk wherever you are. Track your steps, motivate each other and prepare for Walk for Her. STEP 1 — Join the Pacer Club JOIN THE WALK FOR HER PACER CLUB STEP 2 — Choose Your Challenge Adults JOIN THE ADULT VIRTUAL CHALLENGE Youth JOIN THE YOUTH VIRTUAL CHALLENGE Let's see how many steps we can take together! Want to simply Donate fo the cause? 💳 PAYMENT OPTIONS Registration and fundraising payments can be made through our registration forms using available payment options including: Card Check (Pay to VT Seva) Apple Pay Zelle - Treasurer@vtsworld.org Company Matching - Choose VT Seva from your benevity. In the comments add " VTSeva Austin- Walk for Her" 💗 FUNDRAISE YOUR EVERY STEP Your walk can become a women's health camp. We are inviting to go beyond registration and fundraise $250 or more. Your fundraising can directly help us extend women's health awareness and screening services to underserved communities. 🌸 $250 — MINI CAMP Support a camp serving approximately 50 women 🌸 $500 — MID-SIZE CAMP Support a camp serving approximately 100 women 🌸 $1,000 — MEGA CAMP Support a camp serving approximately 200 women Imagine what happens when our entire Walk for Her community comes together. 10 people raising $250 = $2,500 20 people raising $500 = $10,000 10 people raising $1,000 = $10,000 Every fundraiser becomes part of a larger movement. Because when you raise funds, you're not just raising money. You're helping bring women's health services closer to women who need them. START YOUR FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE After registering for the fundraising challenge, please allow 2–3 days for your name to be added to the fundraiser participant/drop-down list. SPONSOR A CAMP IN HONOR OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE Would you like to make your fundraising personal? You can sponsor a women's health camp in honor or memory of a loved one. It could be: ❤️ Your mother❤️ Your father❤️ Your spouse❤️ Your daughter❤️ Your sister❤️ A friend❤️ A teacher❤️ Someone whose life inspired you Want to sponsor a camp in their name?Reach out to us. We would love to discuss the possibilities with you and, where feasible, recognize the camp in honor of your loved one. WANT TO BRING A WOMEN'S HEALTH CAMP TO YOUR VILLAGE? We would love to hear from you. If you have a community where there is a need for women's health awareness and preventive screening, contact us and let's explore what we can do together. If we are able to identify qualified medical professionals willing to support the camp, VTSeva can explore organizing the camp in that community. If a medical team is not available for your specific village, your sponsorship can also support a camp conducted by VTSeva in one of the underserved communities where our teams already work. Your village. Your family. Your sponsorship. Our collective service. Let's take women's health closer to the women who need it. FROM AUSTIN TO INDIA Your participation connects our Austin community to women's health initiatives serving underserved communities in India. Through Mahila Arogya Vikas, VTSeva works to bring women's health awareness and preventive screening closer to communities that may have limited access to healthcare. The model is simple: AWARENESS ---> SCREENING ---> GUIDANCE ---> FOLLOW-UP

VTS Club Events: Troy High VTS Club - DAV Flower EventTroy High - DRAW Event NFHS VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event NFHS VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event Troy IAE VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event WIHI VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event WIHI VTS Club - Teacher Appreciation Event IAE VTS Club - Mothers Day Card Making WIHI VTS Club - Bracelet Making Event VTS IAE Club - Friendship Bracelet Troy High VTS Club - Friendship Bracelet Plymouth Scholars VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event WIHI VTS Club - Book Kits Detroit Projects: VT Seva Detroit, April 11th 2026 Food Gatherers Volunteering VT Seva Detroit, April 12th 2026 Destined for Greatness Volunteering VT Seva Detroit, April 18th 2026 Greening of Detroit Tree Planting, Earth Day Activity VT Seva Detroit, April 19th 2026 Technology Camp Help for Seniors VT Seva Detroit, April 25th 2026 City of Farmington Earth Day Cleanup VT Seva Detroit, May 2026 Arts and Scraps Remote Project (Group 4) VT Seva Detroit, May 2nd 2026 World Medical Relief VT Seva Detroit, May 9th 2026 Novi Police Appreciation VT Seva Detroit, May 17th 2026 Making Spirits Bright Volunteering VT Seva Detroit, June 6th 2026 World Medical Relief VT Seva Detroit, June 14th 2026 Focus Hope VT Seva Detroit, June 29th 2026 Forgotten Harvest Volunteer Event Youth Board Events: YB Adopt A Road (April 19, 2026) YB Gratitude to the Police Officers Rock Painting Project (April 26, 2026) VT Seva Detroit Youth Board Greeting Card Project (April 25 - May 1, 2026) VT SEVA Detroit Youth led SNEAKER DRIVE 2026 (May 15 - 31, 2026) Volunteer Service Awards and Meet & Greet, DAV Flower Making (June 14, 2026) VTSEVA Detroit YB Open Door Ministry in-person event (June 25, 2026) VTS Club Events: VTS Detroit - Troy High VTS Club - DAV Flower Event 1/2 (April 11&12) https://www.instagram.com/p/DXDLA_FkT0x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D To recognize Veterans Day, members of Troy High VTS designed handmade flowers as a tribute to those who have served in the military. Every piece was made thoughtfully to show their appreciation and respect. The project gave us a meaningful way to say thank you. Volunteers: Aarush Deshmukh, Rathneesh Balamurugan, Henil Patel, Shlok Vartak, Aashima Garg, Niya Ikkurthy, Fatiha Chowdhury, Nivedha Suresh, Manasa Natarajan, Tanishka Nethaji, Shalini Srinivas, Samiha Israt, Andria Pradeep VTS Detroit - Troy High - DRAW Event (April 11) https://www.instagram.com/p/DYgNeRBlw9n/ During their volunteer event with Disaster Relief at Work (DRAW), members of the Troy High VTS helped support disaster relief efforts by preparing supply bags and packing emergency relief buckets. These resources are meant to assist individuals and families impacted by natural disasters by providing essential items during difficult times. Youth Volunteers: Rathneesh Balamurugan, Samiha Israt, Pushkar Rajhans, Henil Patel Adult Volunteer: Balamurugan J VTS Detroit - NFHS VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event (April 15 & 16) https://www.instagram.com/p/DbRwKs0DYaC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Students from North Farmington High School VTS Club came together on April 15 & 16, 2026, to create 150 beautiful "Forget-Me-Not" flower bunches (20 flowers in each bunch) for DAV (Disabled American Veterans). With the helping hands of 15 dedicated student volunteers, this project was more than just crafting flowers — it was an opportunity to express gratitude, strengthen friendships, and honor the sacrifices of our veterans through a simple act of kindness. Every flower carried a heartfelt message: "You are not forgotten." VTS Detroit - NFHS VTS Club - DAV Flower Making Event Day 1 & 2(April 19 & 20) https://www.instagram.com/p/DY70pUJjwKr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Students from NFHS VTS club spent the day making forget-me-not flowers for DAV to honor and remember those who have served. VTS Detroit - Troy IAE VTS Club - DAV Event (April 21) ***no link VTS Detroit - WIHI VTS Club - DAV Flower Event 1/2 (April 23 & 24) https://www.instagram.com/p/DXhyrfTkYLU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D WIHI VTSeva had their DAV Flower Making Event on Thursday and Friday, April 23rd and 24th. For those who don’t know, the sale of these flowers funds free services for disabled veterans and also honors the courage and sacrifice of veterans who returned with injuries and disabilities. They’re glad that so many people were able to come and work together for such a great cause. VTS Detroit - WIHI VTS Club - Teacher Appreciation Event (May 7) https://www.instagram.com/p/DYaL1pUEb3P/?igsh=MXFtMGZrcHl4aWx6dA%3D%3D For Teacher Appreciation Week, WIHI VTSeva held a card-making event where lots of students got to handwrite, decorate, and color personal notes for all the teachers at WIHI to thank them for their work. VTS Detroit - IAE VTS Club - Mothers Day Card Making (May 7) https://www.instagram.com/p/DYIspOtEWjK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D members from the IAE VTS Club came together to make Mother’s Day Cards! These cards were sent to residents at the American House Somerset Senior Living Home. It was a great opportunity to spread kindness and celebrate the mothers in the community. In total, they were able to make 60 cards! VTS Detroit - WIHI VTS Club - Bracelet Making Event - Day 1/2 (May 14&15) https://www.instagram.com/p/DZEAveyR7_e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== In order to spread joy and give back to the world, WiHi VTS Club made 60 bracelets for students at the Nethra Vidyalaya school for blind children in India. Not only was this an extremely wonderful and fulfilling event for participants, but it was also the first of its kind! Attendance for this event was high, and the event lasted two days in order to make all of the bracelets! We are also happy and extremely grateful to say that three high schools in Detroit collaborated on this journey to make our dear Nethra students happy! All the participating club members felt fulfilled as they helped these children and spread joy to them, and we hope we make an impact on these students and make them smile! VTS Detroit - VTS IAE Club - Friendship Bracelet (May 18) https://www.instagram.com/p/DZlkWYkDKv_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Members from the IAE VTS Club came together to make friendship bracelets! These friendship bracelets will be sent to the kids in the Nethra Vidyalaya school in India! Each bracelet is a small symbol of friendship, kindness, and the reminder that someone, even from across the world, is thinking of them. In total, they were able to make 81 bracelets! VTS Detroit - Troy High VTS Club - Friendship Bracelet (May 21) https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0VDE2mV8u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Troy High VTS made 63 bracelets for the children in the Nethra Vidyalaya village as a way to spread kindness and create a personal connection with the kids. Each bracelet was handmade and designed to make the children feel supported. This project not only brought joy to the children receiving the bracelets, but also encouraged creativity among the club members who participated. Volunteers: Henil Patel, Aarush Deshmukh, Manasa Natarajan, Shalini Srinivas, Shriya Harish, Nivedha Suresh, Ahan Deveraj, Samiha Israt, Aashima Garg, Maanya Gupta, Niya Ikkurthy, Tanvi Rajesh, Anya Desai, Arjun Pratap VTS Detroit - Plymouth Scholars VTS Club - DAV Event 3 (may 30) https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid02inBt35zVfRepUFeMJvr7JBhgcrcJR9RyfmjkwRqxHMbyF34RQyr21frNKKiCJ1Qyl?rdid=4n5ZiydQctLITxam VTS Club students from Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy, Detroit dedicated their time on May 30, 2026 to craft 1248 DAV flowers in support of Disabled American Veterans. Every flower they made serves as a heartfelt symbol of appreciation, honor, and kindness for those who have bravely served our country. VTS Detroit - WIHI VTS Club - Book Kits (June 4) https://www.instagram.com/p/DZTDUO2FMvT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D WIHI VTSeva hosted a “Make It, Take It” reading kit program at the Ypsilanti District Library. They collected book donations at WIHI, which they then used to create kits with coloring pages and books for students at the library to enjoy! Detroit Projects: VT Seva Detroit, April 11th 2026 Food Gatherers Volunteering https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18QBEYrwuj/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXDmiufFdg0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers participated in a Food Gatherers volunteering event led by youth volunteer Dhruvi Shah. A total of 14 volunteers worked together to sort and pack nearly 927 pounds of food for families and individuals throughout Washtenaw County. The event provided an opportunity for youth and adults to work together in supporting the community and reducing food insecurity and waste. Youth Lead: Dhruvi Shah Youth Volunteers: Dhruvi Shah, Avni Patel, Arav Patel, Kushi Kanumuri, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Khushaansh Choudhary, Snigdha Lakkakula, Rohith Makkena, Kriti Makkena, Drithi Batula Adult Volunteers: Krishna Reddy, Jyothi Bodapati, Praveen Kanumuri, Suresh Rajan VT Seva Detroit, April 12th 2026 Destined for Greatness Volunteering https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18iK8A91U6/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNwIFEFj7L/?img_index=3&igsh=MTNuMzU2OWpocHE4aw== VT Seva Detroit volunteers participated in a Destined for Greatness volunteering event led by youth volunteer Varun Aerabati. A total of 13 volunteers organized clothing and prepared food boxes to help the organization serve over 200 families at its upcoming Spring Extravaganza. Youth and adult volunteers also helped sort and organize supplies, clean the facility, and move items into storage, with adults assisting with heavier lifting. Youth Volunteers: Varun Aerabati, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Krishav Govindaraj, Anika Dacharaju, Rohith Makkena, Kriti Makkena, Sonam Mishra, Bhagya Shetty Adult Volunteers: Jyothi Bodapati, Raghu Aerabati, Suresh Rajan, Sudheer Koppu, Lipsa Mishra VT Seva Detroit, April 18th 2026 Greening of Detroit Tree Planting, Earth Day Activity https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GLdtLLCzP/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXYKBWDlSci/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers participated in a Greening of Detroit tree-planting event led by youth volunteer Rohith Makkena. A total of 13 volunteers worked together to plant over 100 trees, preparing soil, digging planting holes, and carefully placing and securing the trees. Their efforts supported Earth Day initiatives and contributed to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Detroit community. Youth Volunteers: Videep Routhu, Preetham Yetukuri, Jatin Perugu, Drithi Reddy Bathula, Swathi Aayushi Alluri, Kriti Makkena, Rohith Makkena Adult Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Naresh Ojha, Krishna Reddy, Jyothi Bodapati, Ramesh Routhu VT Seva Detroit, April 19th 2026 Technology Camp Help for Seniors (MICS at Plymouth Gurudwara) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18XForvQ6W/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DX0UGRHFVIM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Our dedicated youth volunteers spent time one-on-one with seniors answering some of their questions & offering hands-on assistance with smartphones, helping them feel more confident and comfortable navigating today's digital world. The session also included an informative discussion from MICS youth volunteers on cyber safety. It was a heartwarming and impactful event that beautifully reflected the spirit of seva selfless service, bridging the gap between generations through technology and compassion. Youth volunteers: Varun, Sai Karnati, Amogh, Anushka, Oviya, Tarun, Akshith, Mihir, Kavya Adult Volunteers: Priya, Jaisankar, Srinath, Sudheer, Suresh, Vanitha VT Seva Detroit, April 25th 2026 City of Farmington Earth Day Cleanup https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HCEz67SNj/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXsw-VEDR0v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers were honored to take part in the City of Farmington Hills' 13th Annual Litter Cleanup event. Ten 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: Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Sai Sri Ram Karnati,Shaktik Paturi, Rithika Bommathi, Veyda Bagpati, Navya Sonika Adult Volunteers: SrinathBabu Karnati, Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Priya Jaisankar, Jaisankar Kannan, Sudheer Koppu VT Seva Detroit, May 2026 Arts and Scraps Remote Project (Group 4) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BafiCHyoH/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DZRPh7MlcZh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers participated in a remote Arts and Scraps project led by youth volunteer Snigdha Lakkakula. Youth volunteers completed the defuzzing of 12 large sock loop bags at home before delivering them to Arts and Scraps. These materials will be used in hands-on student art activities across Detroit, supporting creative and educational community programs. Youth Lead: Snigdha Lakkakula Youth Volunteers: Aanya Das, Rohith Makkena, Kriti Makkena, Siddharth Ramamoorthy, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Advithi Kothapalli, Varun Aerabati, Drithi Bathula, Vishwag Dhruva Kurra, Girish Kolapalli, Supraja Pattangi Adult Volunteers: Sirish Lakkakula, Sarayu Lakkakula, Suresh Rajan, Vanitha Gopalan VT Seva Detroit, May 2nd 2026 World Medical Relief https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GLZzSpPHz/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DX-1JiTFVtl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The team rolled up their sleeves to support a vital pipeline of hope with World Medical Relief, the world's first pacemaker reconditioning center with over 30,000 donated to date. Volunteers organized more than 6,000 medical supplies, including IV kits, anesthesia tools, and patient care items, donated by local healthcare leaders like Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, and the University of Michigan to deliver critical care to patients in Guatemala. Youth Leaders: Rithika Bommathi, Videep Routhu, Akshara Vivek, Shaktik Paturi, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Dharani Samudrala, Navya Sonika, and Paheli Jain Adult Volunteers: Sirisha Pallaboina, Ramesh Routhu, Soujanaya Sankaran, Murty Paturi, and Sathya Sonika VT Seva Detroit, May 9th 2026 Novi Police Appreciation https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H6aRDff75/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DYk5JoIkSES/?igsh=N3V2YXNhcWFlb2Vk Marking its 6th annual Police Appreciation Day on May 9, 2026, the VT Seva Detroit team, alongside the JET MI team, honored the Novi Police Department ahead of National Police Appreciation Week. Youth and adult volunteers expressed their gratitude to Police Chief Erick Zinser and his officers by serving lunch, samosas, and pastries sponsored by Paris Baguette Novi, while children presented hand-painted rocks and handmade thank-you cards. Youth Volunteers: Tushita Saravanan, Rohith Makkena, Kriti Makkena, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Anika Dacharaju, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Siddharth Ramamoorthy, Rithika Bommathi, Reyaansh Bommathi, Rudraan Dacharaju Adult Volunteers: Durga Nalini Sangeetha Adduri, Architha Pisipati, Sirisha Lakkakula, Bhargavi Venkataraman, Vanitha Gopalan, Sudheer Koppu, Suresh Rajan, Narsaraj Kompelly, Aravind Narayan, Naresh Ojha, Praveen Kanumuri, Rama Chandra Vatsavyai, Srikanth Dacharaju, Anil Samudrala, Krishna Ramamoorthy VT Seva Detroit, May 17th 2026 Making Spirits Bright Volunteering https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Joevuj3xg/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DY6JYkclUrA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers participated in a Making Spirits Bright volunteering event led by youth volunteer Dhruva Vankayalapati at Metro Detroit's Book Bank. Volunteers loaded and unloaded trailers and sorted a total of 3,606 books for an elementary school in Romulus to support local literacy and provide equitable access to books for children and families. Youth Lead: Dhruva Vankayalapati Youth Volunteers: Dhruva Vankayalapati, Aaryan Gajawada, Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Chhavi Gandhi, Kavya Gandhi, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Supraja Pattangi, Daksith Ale Adult Volunteers: Sireesh Vankayalapati, Suresh Rajan, Vanitha Gopalan VT Seva Detroit, June 6th 2026 World Medical Relief https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EAr26L8ud/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DZl09fCFXoT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers partnered with World Medical Relief to support global humanitarian efforts and learn about critical healthcare needs worldwide. The team organized over 5,500 medical supplies, including IV kits, anesthesia equipment, and urology materials, which will be shipped to support healthcare professionals and patients in the Philippines. Youth Volunteers: Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Srinithi Yarlagadda, Veyda Bagpatia, Dhyaanesh Giridharan, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Varun Aerabati, Advithi Kothapalli, Krishav Govindaraj, Sreya Namboodiri, Anika Dacharaju Adult Volunteers: Bhargavi Venkataraman, Rajesh Yarlagadda, Lavanya Kothapalli VT Seva Detroit, June 14th 2026 Focus Hope https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BQ5N6en53/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/p/DZpxa8DCfoV/?igsh=ejM5aWFpbjdodnp6 VT Seva volunteers partnered with Focus: HOPE, a Michigan nonprofit dedicated to supporting senior citizens across the state. Together, the team packed 896 boxes of essential food supplies to be delivered to elderly residents in need. Youth Volunteers: Swathi Alluri, Dhanya Deepak, Sahana Sagayanathan, Kushi Kanumuri, Drithi Bathula, Advithi Kothapalli, Akshara Dalta, Harini Kopparapu, Dhyaanesh Giridharan, Yathi Debbata, Bhargav Paini Adults Volunteers: Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan, Lakshmi Alluri, Lavanya Kothapalli, Sathya Sonika VT Seva Detroit, June 29th 2026 Forgotten Harvest Volunteer Event https://www.facebook.com/share/1DJ3bpxi5E/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLc8kpFWvu/?igsh=dnhmMHhiMnQybzVp VT Seva volunteers partnered with Forgotten Harvest to support local hunger relief efforts across Metro Detroit. The team packed and organized 10,110 pounds of food to be distributed directly to families, schools, parent networks, and local churches across Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties. Youth Volunteers: Veyda Bagpatia, Dhyaanesh Giridharan, Yathi Debbata, Akshara Datla, Sreya Namboodiri, Bhargav Paini, Tushita Saravana, Avni Patel, Arav Patel, Dhruvi Shah, Aaryan Gajawada Adult Volunteers: Alka Bagpatia, Vanitha Gopalan, Suresh Rajan Youth Board Events: YB Adopt A Road (April 19, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EKJqv5c87/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXaw9s9laaJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit volunteers celebrated Earth Day through their Adopt-A-Road initiative, clearing litter and roadside storm drains to protect local waterways. The team gathered items ranging from bottles and cans to golf balls and car parts, receiving supportive honks from passing drivers as they worked to keep the community clean. Youth Volunteers: Varun, Akshara, Anushka, Yathi, Nemish, Sri Bhargava, Oviya Adult Volunteers: Vivek, Suresh, Vanitha, Srinath, Jaisankar, Priya YB Gratitude to the Police Officers Rock Painting Project (April 26, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14dDrsVq36f/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DXxgTCvD_UX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Every year, VT SEVA Detroit takes a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated police officers serving the Novi community. As a small gesture of appreciation, members visit the department each May, bringing along thoughtful goodies to thank the officers for their commitment and service. This year, the Youth Board members added a special, creative touch to the tradition. Demonstrating both talent and compassion, they hand-painted colorful rocks and crafted personalized cards to share with the officers. Each piece reflected a message of appreciation, making the gesture even more meaningful. On May 9th, the group will visit the Novi Police Department to present their creations. Through these simple yet heartfelt acts, VT SEVA Detroit continues to inspire young individuals to give back and recognize those who work tirelessly to keep the community safe. Youth Volunteers: Tushita Saravanan, Drithi Bathula, Rohith Makkena, Kriti Makkena, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Sri Bhargava Samudrala, Dharani Samudrala, Anika Dacharaju, Varun Aerabati, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Siddharth Ramamoorthy VT Seva Detroit Youth Board Greeting Card Project (April 25 - May 1, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ChusJ35yw/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ3jr3qlW1W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit youth volunteers came together for a Mother’s Day 2026 service activity, creating thoughtful Mother’s Day and “Thinking of You” cards for the women of Manoogian Manor. Their cards helped bring joy and remind the residents that they are loved and remembered during the holiday. The activity provided a meaningful opportunity for the youth to spread kindness and make a positive impact in their community. Youth Volunteers: Avni Patel, Advithi Kothapalli, Snigdha Lakkakula, Rithika Bommathi, Jenisha Rathod, Dhruvi Shah, Dharani Samudrala, Varun Aerabati, Oviya Jaisankar, Kushi Kanumuri, Arav Patel, Hemaksh Rathod, Navya Sonika, Rachana Raghunathan Adult Volunteers: Vandana, Srinath, Nalini, Priya VT SEVA Detroit Youth led SNEAKER DRIVE 2026 (May 15 - 31, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ByqjAi8uj/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLhBMKlU8T/?igsh=MXQ2M2hnazJkcmdmMg== VT Seva Detroit youth volunteers led a Sneaker Drive and collected around 150 pairs of gently used shoes to support the VT Seva Feeding Hope program. The shoes were sorted, packaged, and sent to GotSneakers to be reused, recycled, or donated to children, low-income families, and people experiencing homelessness. Funds generated through eligible shoe donations will support VT Seva’s Feeding Hope program. Youth Volunteers: Siddharth Ramamoorthy, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Akshara Datla, Rachana Raghunathan, Supraja Pattangi, Anika Dacharaju, Navya Sonika, Dhruvi Shah, Shruthi Adduri, Drithi Bathula, Varun Aerabati, Sreya Namboodiri, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Tushita Saravanan Adult Volunteers: Nalini, Vanitha, Asha, Shilpa, Srikanth Volunteer Service Awards & Meet & Greet, DAV Flower Making (June 14, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FKG8PkabC/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DaE1Qa2FZvt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== VT Seva Detroit hosted a successful youth event filled with leadership, service, and celebration. The event welcomed the new Youth Board Leadership Team and recognized outstanding youth volunteers with the Jeeyar Awards. They also celebrated graduating seniors and the Youth Board’s 7th anniversary while welcoming new volunteers through the 2nd Meet & Greet. Around 33 youth participants created “Forget-Me-Not” flowers for Disabled American Veterans as part of a meaningful service activity. The day concluded with the kickoff of the 6th Annual Walkathon, highlighting the youth’s teamwork, dedication, and commitment to community service. Youth Volunteers: Dhruva Vankayalapati, Aaryan Gajawada, Navya Sonika, Anika Dongaonkar, Gurnoor Choudary, Chitrakshi Agiwal, Saanvi Kalvala, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Henil Patel, Preetham, Jatin Perugu, Yathi Debbata, Bhargav Paini, Dhyaanesh Giridharan, Lasya Pola, Nithila Siva, Aarushi Gudupaty, Maanvi , Advay Boda , Sri Vasudha Vundi, Sanvi Boda, Deekshith Reddy Bathula, Mukesh, Tushita Saravanan, Sahana Sagayanathan, Drithi Reddy Bathula, Aditi Madhu , Reyansh, Saahiti Gorinta , Venus Tadepalli, Sri Tejaswi, Shriya acharya, Dhanya Deepak, Siddharth Ramamoorthy, Shivaram Ganesh, Raja Ameya Yeddula, Krishav Govindaraj, Sri Poorna Poranki, Shruthi Adduri, Kaustubh Dingari, Oviya Jaisankar, Kushi Kanumuri, Rohith Makkena, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Varun Aerabati Adult Volunteers: Arvind Narayanan, Suresh Rajan, Durga Sangita, Praveen Kanumuri, Priya Jaisankar, Jaisankar Kannan, Chandra Kanumuri, Lavanya Kothapalli, Sarath Kothapalli, Vanitha Gopalan, Sudheer VTSEVA Detroit YB Open Door Ministry in-person event (June 25) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LAnn2rZ5d/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DaLamGgFZA7/?igsh=MWJkZmk3MnA5MGVsNg== VT Seva Detroit Youth Board volunteers participated in an in-person service event at Open Door Ministries on June 25, 2026, led by youth volunteer Shreya Shetty. The food pantry serves around 400 families each week, and volunteers helped organize food, load delivery carts, dispose of expired items, and clean up after distribution. Their efforts supported Open Door Ministries in providing food and assistance to families in need throughout the community. Youth Volunteers: Shreya Shetty, Aaryan Gajawada, Dhruva Vankayalapti, Yathi Debbata, Nemish Debbata, Kalki Anand, Dhyaanesh Giridharan, Sanjay Ramamoorthy, Aarushi Gudupaty Adult Volunteers: Kalyani Shetty, Swathi Debbata, Preethi Bheemreddy

Year 2020 started off with unprecedented difficult times with COVID-19 pandemic causing havoc all over the world. Corona Virus has not differentiated between young and old or rich and poor and neither has spared the most influential and powerful of people. Many industries are adversely impacted, people have either lost their jobs temporarily, laid off or have incurred reduction in their salary. Forgotten Harvest Feb 15th 2020 - before COVID-19 outbreak VT Seva USA launched a massive campaign across 37 cities in USA partnering with our local volunteers and branch directors to support local charities. As a part of this campaign, VT Seva Detroit has raised over $1626 in generous donations from metro Detroit families who were gracious enough to spend their hard earned money even during the times of hardship in order to help feed the Children and Adults who rely on food banks and community kitchens across the region. All the funds from the donations received have been sent to Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Food Bank equally. Forgotten Harvest provides 138,000 pounds of food per day to local charities 6 days a week. VT Seva Detroit has been partnering with Forgotten Harvest since 2013 helping them fight hunger and food insecurity. Detroit team has also been partnering with Gleaners Food Bank for the past 7 years. Gleaners provides households with access to sufficient, nutritious food, education, and innovative solutions to achieve a hunger-free community in southeast Michigan. Kroger Food Drive - Heart to Homes for Gleaners Food Bank on Jan 25th 2020 before the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic in US VT Seva Detroit Youth Board is raising funds to support St Mary Mercy Hospital - please check out their fund raiser here VT Seva extends its gratitude to all the Volunteers and Donors who supported this cause. If you would like to support feed more people please donate here.

Looking back on 2025–2026, the VTS Troy High team achieved incredible things together. Our volunteers poured their hearts into fresh service projects and neighborhood initiatives, showing true leadership and care for those around them. Here are some of the standout moments from a truly inspiring year of community impact! Events: Welcome Notes Project Support Staff Appreciation Welcome Notes Project Club Fair Cancer Awareness Detroit Free Press Marathon Cranbrook Institute of Arts Police Appreciation Cards DAV Project DRAW Event Clawson Food Pantry Welcome Notes 9/1/25 To celebrate the arrival of this year’s freshman class, Troy High VTS designed and handed out special welcome cards during lunch periods and at the club fair. It was such a great opportunity to connect with the newest members of our school community. We are so excited to have them here and we wish them the very best as they begin their journey at Troy High! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOXLLUsEec_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Support Staff Appreciation 9/2/25 For Support Staff Week, our VT Seva team came together to show appreciation for the incredible janitors and lunch staff who keep our school running every day. We created and handed out heartfelt thank you cards to the janitors and lunch ladies, letting them know how much their hard work and kindness mean to us. It was a simple gesture, but it made a big impact bringing smiles to their faces and reminding them that they don’t go unnoticed. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOt8C_Ykm-h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Club Fair 9/3/25 VTS had a great time at the Club Fair! We’re so excited to welcome our new members who joined, and we can’t wait to work together on all the amazing things we have planned this year. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPcuxkFiKjT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Cancer Awareness 10/1/25 Troy High VTS created cancer awareness posters to show support for individuals affected by the disease. The experience was both meaningful and educational, bringing us together to better understand the widespread impact of cancer. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPcuxkFiKjT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Detroit Free Press Marathon 10/21/25 Troy High VTS volunteers played a key role at the Detroit Free Press Marathon, an annual race between Detroit and Windsor. They guided runners, handed out water, and helped with setup and cleanup. Their support made the event a huge success! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQDS_Z_kWUi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Cranbrook Institute of Arts 10/26/25 The halls of the Cranbrook Institute of Science were buzzing with spooky excitement as Troy High VTS volunteers led a day of eerie fun and laughter. Families and kids dove into spooky fun with paper airplane tosses, broom hockey, and a spoon-walking race! The event hosted by Cranbrook was a wonderful opportunity for us to bond with participants and contribute to a memorable experience for everyone involved. Troy High VTS looks forward to returning for future events at the Institute. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQVENhBEjV6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Police Appreciation Cards 12/15/25 Troy High VTS volunteers came together on 12/15/25 to show appreciation for our police officers for their continuous dedication and hard work in protecting and keeping our community safe. The volunteers wished them happy holidays through thoughtful, handmade cards and hope the officers enjoyed them. Everyone had a rewarding and meaningful experience creating the cards and looks forward to participating in this event once again in the future. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSh_PPZEftw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== DAV Project 3/10/26, 4/7/26 For Day of the Veterans, Troy High VTS made flowers to honor and celebrate the brave veterans who served our country. Each flower was made with care to show respect and gratitude. This activity allowed us to express our thanks in a creative way. Making the flowers also brought our group together to honor them as a community. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVxJenKl0NQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/p/DXDLA_FkT0x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== DRAW Event 4/11/26 During our volunteer event with Disaster Relief at Work (DRAW), our team helped support disaster relief efforts by preparing supply bags and packing emergency relief buckets. These resources are meant to assist individuals and families impacted by natural disasters by providing essential items during difficult times. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYgNeRBlw9n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Clawson Food Pantry 3/28/26 Troy High VTS volunteered at the Clawson Food Pantry, where they organized food donations by expiration date to ensure everything was safe. Expired items were properly discarded, and all shelves were thoroughly cleaned. As a result, the pantry is now more organized, making it easier for community members to find and receive the food they need. Overall, the volunteers had a great experience, and the club looks forward to returning in the future. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWeixfHkXeQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Closing Summary: We are very grateful for all of the opportunities that we were given this year to make a positive change for those who need it. Every project we did this year was motivated by the smiles we see from those who are positively impacted by our events. As we look ahead, we are ready to host more events to empower others to be a beacon of hope and a role model for our community! We are happy to welcome our VT Seva E-Board for the 2026-2027 school year! Previous Year Blog Link: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vts-detroit-troy-high-vts-club-2024-2025-events-blog Previous Year Board Members: 2025-2026: President - Rathneesh Balamurugan Secretary - Shruthika Pallapothu Activity Director - Kishore Parthiban Communication Lead - Shalini Srinivas 2024-2025: President - Pelon Lin Vice President & Activity Director - Shruthika Pallapothu Communication Lead & Secretary - Anirvin Ramanan 2023-2024: President - Anuraag Balaji Vice President - Vishnu Athreya Secretary - Sneha Chandrasekar Activity Director - Pelon Lin & Jayanth Batti Communication Lead - Akshaya Palanisamy 2022-2023: President - Anuraag Balaji Vice President - Srihari Anathalwan Secretary - Leo Schmidt Activity Director - Vishnu Athreya Communication Lead - Haresh Anand & Komal Yedla Tech Lead - Ajitesh Venkatesh Blog Written By: Shalini Srinivas

During the 2025-2026 school year, the IAE VT Seva Club has continued its mission of service by organizing and completing 10+ meaningful events that brought students together to serve our community and make a positive change. The IAE VT Seva Club began in 2022, and since then it has been a place for IAE students to come together to give back to our community. As we look back on another successful year, we are proud of the growth of the IAE VT Seva Club and grateful to everyone who contributed to making this year meaningful. Here’s a look back at the memorable activities and accomplishments from the 2025-2026 school year! Events: Welcome Card for Freshman Appreciation Cards for Support Staff HOCO Decorating Play-Place (autism and special needs center) Turkey Craft Kits Braille Playing Cards Snowman Craft Making Kits Shamrock Shakedown Math Kangaroo DAV Flowers Mother’s Day Cards Friendship Bracelets August 29, 2025 - Welcome Card for Freshman: VTS IAE board members created special welcome cards for the incoming freshmen! Each card was designed to share encouragement and positivity as they begin their journey at IAE.During seminar, board members personally passed out the cards, helping the new students feel supported and celebrated as part of the community. The freshmen expressed that they felt welcomed and happy to be part of such a warm and encouraging environment. Our board led this thoughtful initiative to spread kindness and make the first days of high school a little brighter. Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN82_czEVGl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== September 8, 2025 - Appreciation Cards for Support Staff: VTS IAE board members took time to appreciate the incredible support staff at our school! From custodians and hall monitors to the lunch staff, these individuals work hard every day to keep our school running smoothly. To show our gratitude, board members created thoughtful cards and paired them with chocolates as a small gesture of appreciation. This event was a reminder of how much the support staff does for our school every single day, and we’re so thankful for their dedication and hard work. Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWs1_Ggepq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== September 23, 2025 - HOCO Decorating: IAE VTS members helped the student council in our school with the preparations for homecoming! Members helped make paper chains, posters, and other decorations! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPZ90ADDJ2x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== October 28, 2025 - Play-Place (autism and special needs center): Members from the IAE VTS club helped out at Play-Place, which is an autism and special needs center. Volunteers helped decorate around the building by making simple crafts, such as a tree, to brighten up the place. Volunteers also helped organize and make Hearts and Stars plaques to honor the sponsors of the Play-Place. Our club led this thoughtful initiative to spread kindness in our community and create a warm and welcoming space for the kids at the Play Place! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQX22VejL5D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== November 27, 2025 - Turkey Craft Kits: Members of the IAE VTS Club came together to make 45 turkey craft kits for the Children’s hospital! Volunteers assembled kits with paper feathers, glue sticks, and turkey handprints to give to children for thanksgiving. This thoughtful initiative is all about spreading joy and kindness during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and brought a little extra cheer to the hospital! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRlLacsDAhZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== December 7, 2025 - Braille Playing Cards: Members from the IAE VTS Club made Braille Playing Cards, led by Aaroosh Guduguntla for his Boy Scouts. The cards went to the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Volunteers printed out designs, cut them out, laminated them, cut them out from the lamination, and then braille was hand pressed onto the cards using a braille slate and stylus. A total of 5 decks were made! We’re so proud to have been able to contribute to this amazing cause and a huge thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make this project a success! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DR_AhvDDDNt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== January 27, 2026 - Snowman Craft Kits: Members of the IAE VTS Club came together to create snowman craft kits for the Children’s Hospital, hoping to bring a little joy to young patients during their stay. Each kit included paper cutouts and glue sticks, allowing kids build their own snowman and enjoy a moment of fun. In total, 50 kits were made! Thank you so much to the volunteers who helped make the kits! We’re incredibly proud to be able to make a meaningful and positive impact in our community. Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUY5Hq9EXOq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== March 3, 2026 - Shamrock Shakedown: On March 3rd, our school community came together to spread some luck and encouragement for the Shamrock Shakedown. We created more than 67 heartfelt cards for the four teams, including the Troy Center for Transition students, playing in the basketball tournament! Each card carried more than just words; it carried support, pride, and the reminder that an entire community is cheering them on. Sometimes a small message can make a big difference, and we hope these cards brought smiles, confidence, and a little extra motivation to every player. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write, create, and share kindness. Because of you, we helped make a player’s day a little brighter and reminded them they are supported every step of the way. Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DV6v7iREUDH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== March 19, 2026 - Math Kangaroo: Members from the IAE VTS Club came together and helped run a Math Kangaroo Competition at the Sri Balaji Temple with around 85 kids competing! Volunteers helped run the event in various ways such as helping at the registration tables, proctoring the exam, and helping the kids if they have any questions during the test. We’re so proud to have been able to contribute and help run this event smoothly, and thank you so much to all the volunteers who took their time to make this competition a success! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPpQ0qkfMQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== April 21, 2026 - DAV Flowers: Members from the IAE VTS Club came together to make DAV Flowers to support veterans. These flowers are a symbol of remembrance and support towards veterans suffering from disabilities. IAE VTS members attached paper forget-me-nots to notecards and in total we were able to make around 1,000 flowers in total! We’re so proud to have been able to contribute to this good cause, and thank you so much to all the volunteers who helped!! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXh24qOEQH1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== May 9, 2026 - Mother’s Day Cards: Members from the IAE VTS Club came together to make Mother’s Day Cards! These cards were sent to residents at the American House Somerset Senior Living Home. It was a great opportunity to spread kindness and celebrate the mothers in our community. In total, we were able to make 60 cards! We’re so proud to have been able to brighten someone’s day with thoughtful messages and handmade cards. Thank you so much to everyone who participated! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYIspOtEWjK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== May 18, 2026 - Friendship Bracelets: Members from the IAE VTS Club came together to make friendship bracelets! These friendship bracelets will be sent to the kids in the Nethra Vidyalaya school in India! Each bracelet is a small symbol of friendship, kindness, and the reminder that someone, even from across the world, is thinking of them. In total, we were able to make 81 bracelets! We’re so proud to have been able to brighten the students’ day with something handmade and heartfelt. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who participated! Insta Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZlkWYkDKv_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== We’re so grateful to have been able to serve our community and help make a positive change this past year. We’re also grateful for the growth that we saw in our club this past year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming many new members for this upcoming school year!! Previous Year Blogs: 2024-2025 Blog Link: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vts-detroit-troy-iae-vts-club-2024-2025-events-blog Previous Year Board Members: 2025-2026 Board Members: ADVISORY BOARD Arya Patel Jennah Najor Sreenika Perumalla PRESIDENT - Deekshi Chittala VICE PRESIDENT - Himanish Pasula SECRETARY - Jewel Najor ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Akshita Sakthi COMMUNICATION LEAD - Riya Kurhade COMMUNICATION LEAD - Sreeja Padmala 2024-2025 Board Members: ADVISORY BOARD Abhiram Mudeganti Anvika Perumalla PRESIDENT - Sreenika Perumalla VICE PRESIDENT - Deekshi Chittala SECRETARY - Jennah Najor ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Arya Patel ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Himanish Pasula COMMUNICATION LEAD - Sreeja Padmala 2023-2024 Board Members: PRESIDENT - Anvika Perumalla ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Shivam Shah ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Ishan Iyer COMMUNICATION LEAD - Abhiram Mudeganti SECRETARY - Varnika Jakka 2022-2023 Board Members: FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT - Anvika Perumalla ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Shivam Shah ACTIVITY DIRECTOR - Ishan Iyer COMMUNICATION LEAD - Abhiram Mudeganti SECRETARY - Varnika Jakka

WIHI VT Seva started in 2024, and from then on, we have been actively engaged in projects and events to promote wellness and make a lasting impact on our community. In the past, VT Seva has done events such as creating origami kits for individuals living with respiratory conditions to making pipe cleaner flowers with senior citizens. These events sparked a new year of leaders who are willing to make a difference! Here is a sneak peek of the projects we did this school year. Each one was made possible by the club’s dedication, teamwork, creativity, and the shared goal of making a positive impact! EVENTS: Freshman Welcome Notes Support Staff Thank You Cards Collage Making for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Open Door Ministry Volunteer Event Thanksgiving Craft Kits Salvation Army Volunteering YDL Book Drive Child Cancer Awareness Event Senior Send-Off Packages DAV Flower Making Teacher Appreciation Notes VTS Bracelet Making Book Kits for YDL August 19, 2025: Freshman Welcome Notes Our first project of the year was the Freshman Welcome Notes project. We gave handwritten notes of motivation and encouragement so that freshmen can feel excited to start a new chapter of their life. The notes were decorated with bright colors and were put around the school so that incoming 9th graders can easily grab them and keep them as a reminder that they are welcomed at WIHI! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN9M07oEfRz/?hl=en&img_index=1 August 27, 2025: Support Staff Thank You Cards To celebrate the support staff that work behind the scenes, WIHI VTS wrote thoughtful cards to show that they are recognized and appreciated! As a club, we realized how impactful service workers are to our school. It felt very rewarding to see the service workers have a big smile on their faces when they received the letters. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOEI_kKDZRo/?hl=en&img_index=1 September 19, 2025: Collage Making for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month For National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the club made a banner of kind messages to raise awareness while also giving the new members of VTS an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. Along with the banner, the club also made a hope chain that had even more kind messages. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPCzRG0DfyB/?hl=en&img_index=1 October 16, 2025: Open Door Ministry Volunteer Event WIHI VT Seva volunteered at Open Door Ministries in Canton. We packaged and distributed food to families in need and had a very meaningful experience collaborating with Open Door Ministry to serve our community! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQR9VEgkQDc/?hl=en&img_index=1 November 7, 2025: Thanksgiving Craft Kits During this Thanksgiving, WIHI VTS held another Thanksgiving Craft Kit for the children in C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The kits had cardboard cutouts, glue sticks, and crayons so that the kids could create their own unique turkey craft. We had more than 30 people volunteer to make and package the kits. When the kits were delivered to the hospital, they were amazed at our dedication to spread holiday joy to the children. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRigxhjkSPT/?hl=en&img_index=1 December 10, 2025: Salvation Army Volunteering For the holiday times, we were very grateful to have received an opportunity to work with the Salvation Army! We rang the bell to raise funds for those who need it most and caroled to spread the holiday cheer. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSn2H7ckdEf/?hl=en&img_index=1 Jan 30, 2026: YDL Book Drive In order to have books for our Make It Take It Reading Kit Program coming up in June, WIHI VT Seva ran a book drive at our school. We received a total of 30 books, donated by people who enjoyed reading these books as a child. These books were used in June to create kits with coloring pages. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUUi683DTKz/?hl=en&img_index=1 February 16, 2026: Child Cancer Awareness Event To raise awareness for Childhood Cancer, more than 30 students came together to assemble over 200 golden ribbon pins! The next day, it was rewarding to see many students proudly wearing these pins to show their support towards children who are suffering with cancer. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVVFtcPDV-T/?hl=en&img_index=1 March 19 and 26, 2026: Senior Send-Off Packages As the school year was wrapping up for the seniors, we decided to make send-off packages to wish them success for their future endeavors! We made 120 packages that included sticky notes, highlighters, stickers, fidgets, and candy! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWy_g02kWaf/?hl=en&img_index=1 April 23 and 24, 2026: DAV Flower Making WIHI’s VT Seva wanted to recognize and thank disabled veterans. So, students handcrafted forget-me-not flowers to honor the courage of disabled veterans. The sales of these flowers funded free services for veterans who returned with injuries and disabilities Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXhyrfTkYLU/?hl=en&img_index=1 May 7, 2026: Teacher Appreciation Notes For Teacher Appreciation Week, WIHI VTS held a card making event where students got to handwrite appreciation cards and decorate them to give to the teachers. These cards were given as reminders to teachers that their hard work is not being left unrecognized! It was very rewarding to see the teachers' faces light up when they received their notes! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYaL1pUEb3P/?hl=en&img_index=1 May 14, 2026: VTS Bracelet Making VTS made 60 bracelets for the students of Nethra Vidyalaya school for blind children in India. The participation for this event was high and it lasted 2 days to make all 60 bracelets! Three high schools in Detroit collaborated to make the students smile, and it was very rewarding to see the bracelets spreading joy to these students! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZEAveyR7_e/?hl=en June 3, 2026: Book Kits for YDL WIHI VT Seva hosted a “Make It, Take It” reading kit program at the Ypsilanti District Library. We collected book donations at WIHI, which we then used to create kits with coloring pages and books for students at the library to enjoy! We also read the books we collected to the children! Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZTDUO2FMvT/?hl=en&img_index=1 Closing Summary: We are very grateful for all of the opportunities that we were given this year to make a positive change for those who need it. Every project we did this year was motivated by the smiles we see from those who are positively impacted by our events. As we look ahead, we are ready to host more events to empower others to be a beacon of hope and a role model for our community! We are happy to welcome our VT Seva E-Board for the 2026-2027 school year! Previous Year Blog Links: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vts-detroit-wihi-vts-club-2024-2025-events-blog Previous Board Members: 2025-2026: President: Shreya Shetty Vice President: Andrea Zou Secretary: Aadya Kamath Activity Director: Avantika Nair Activity Director: Ella McCleery Communication Lead: Angelina Estrada 2024-2025: President: Shreya Shetty Vice President: Andrea Zou Secretary: Aanchal Cholkar Activity Director: Pierce Dzanbazoff Activity Director: Alicia Ramos-Versescu Communication Lead: Avantika Nair

By Mridula Vasudevan, Youth Chapter Mentor, VT Seva Maryland Community service has the power to unite generations - and VT Seva Maryland’s 3rd Annual Blood Drive proved it beautifully. In collaboration with the American Red Cross and Landsdale HOA, our community came together to make a life-saving impact. Led by youth leader Inika Keranahalli, the event exceeded every goal and demonstrated what is possible when passion meets purpose. By the Numbers: A Lifesaving Triumph Target goal: 22 units Registered donors: 29 Total units collected: 28 Potential lives impacted: Up to 84 lives saved! 🩸 Every unit of blood collected has the potential to save up to three lives. Thanks to the generosity of our community, patients in need will have a second chance at life. Leadership in Action: Inika Keranahalli’s Reflection We had the opportunity to help organize and volunteer at a community blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross and collaboration with Landsdale HOA. Our team of VT Seva Maryland Adult and Youth Volunteers, Red Cross staff, Landsdale HOA, and community donors came together to support this vital cause. We began the day by setting up the event space and helping the Red Cross team organize their supplies. Throughout the drive, We worked across different areas to ensure operations ran smoothly. We welcomed and guided donors through registration, and later managed the post-donation area - checking in on donors, offering refreshments, and ensuring they felt comfortable. One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was seeing so many people willingly contribute their time and blood to help others. Working alongside the Red Cross showed us how much coordination, communication, and teamwork it takes to run a successful service event. Overall, this rewarding experience allowed me to strengthen my leadership and teamwork skills while directly helping people in need. It reinforced the importance of community service and proved what we can accomplish when generations unite for a shared purpose. Gratitude to Our Incredible Volunteers An event like this is possible because of dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and compassion. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped create a welcoming, organized, and comfortable experience for our donors. 🌟 Youth Change-Makers Abhinav Komperla Akansha Subramanium Akul Pallerla Anwesha Parida Arjun Chintalapati Aryan Shiramoju Mridula Vasudevan 🌟 Guiding Adult Volunteers Mrs. Deepa Parida Mrs. Prashamsa Muppavaram Mrs. Shwetha Sannenalli Mrs. Swetha Timmuru Mrs. Sobana Vasudevan Mr. Vasudevan Akkoor Their support with setup, registration, donor guidance, refreshments, and post-donation care was essential to the success of the drive. Looking to the Future The American Red Cross extended its sincere appreciation to the VT Seva Maryland team for doing an excellent job promoting and recruiting donors. They encouraged the group to continue growing these drives and providing a regular, convenient opportunity for local heroes to donate blood. To our donors, volunteers, Landsdale HOA, and American Red Cross staff - thank you. You are the heartbeat of this community. Together, we serve. Together, we save lives. 💙❤️ Blog : https://www.vtsworld.org/post/saving-lives-together-vt-seva-maryland-s-3rd-annual-blood-drive-crushes-goals FB : https://www.facebook.com/share/p/196YXHbHzf/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/DccPF0HgJjO/?igsi=Y3FtZWNrdnhsamxz https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3aK2YRXHa/?igsi=aThhbngyODBjM3N4 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbtNFAERY8o/?igsi=emRtZDc2bXlraGI=

By Mridula Vasudevan, Youth Chapter Mentor, VT Seva Maryland VT Seva Maryland proudly came together for this year’s school supply drive in partnership with United Way of Frederick County and its Stuff the Bus program. The event was successfully led by Taara Vasudevan, middle school youth leader, secretary of the Environment Branch, and former president of the elementary school team. This drive was a wonderful example of service, teamwork, and community spirit. All three VT Seva Maryland branches - Monrovia, New Market, and MCPS - joined hands to collect school supplies for students in need. Together, volunteers worked toward one shared goal: helping children start the school year with the supplies and support they need to succeed. From June 8 through August 3, VT Seva Maryland served as a collection site for much-needed school supplies that directly benefit Frederick County students and families. On August 3, United Way of Frederick County picked up all the donated school supplies. The fun part was seeing the Stuff the Bus team come to collect everything we gathered through this drive. Under Taara’s leadership, the team helped fundraise $176 and collected 5 bins full of school supplies, including backpacks, binders, college-ruled and wide-ruled paper, colored pencils, composition notebooks, crayons, dividers, dry erase markers, earbuds with microphone, glue sticks, graphing calculators, highlighters, Kleenex, markers, pencils, pencil boxes, pens, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, two-pocket folders, and Ziploc bags. A special thank you goes to the MCPS team members who supported this drive: Arnav Suneja “Participating in this supply drive was a great experience for me as it showed me how my community can come together and make a meaningful difference around us. Gathering supplies from several people around my neighborhood who really wanted to support students in need was a great feeling and experience to be a part of, which really made my effort much more meaningful with everybody’s kindness.” Dhruv Suri “Going around the neighborhood to gather supplies has been a rewarding experience as it developed many necessary skills. I was able to learn more about the different circumstances of the people in my community and also develop the skills to talk to people I don’t know personally.” Srikar Vinnamuri “Participating in the supply drive gave me that feeling of satisfaction which comes from helping someone in need and genuinely putting them in a better spot. The support we received was all I needed to keep showing up and giving my time. Working alongside my peers made the experience even more meaningful as it showed me how much of an impact a group can have simply by being present and willing to help. I'm grateful I had the chance to make a real difference in my community.” Hitansh Mathur “Collecting school supplies around my neighborhood was a meaningful experience because I was able to help students who needed extra support. It also taught me the importance of working together and showed me how helping others can bring the community closer.” Sahaj Patel “Volunteering to help gather supplies for VT Seva was one of the most fulfilling ways I felt involved with my community, since it gave me a direct way to give back.” We also sincerely appreciate the Monrovia students who helped make this effort a success: Taara Vasudevan Mridula Vasudevan Akanksha Subramaniam Anwesha Parida Pragya Philkana Vihaas Venuturimilli Misha Nabeel Aarush Srivasta Nayan Chintalapati Arjun Chintalapati And thank you to the New Market volunteers: Chetan Sai Kankanala Anmol Tiwari Aniket Tiwari Below is a personal note from Taara Vasudevan, who led the event: I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to lead this year’s school supply drive as a middle school youth leader, secretary of the Environment Branch, and former president of the elementary school team. What made this experience especially meaningful was seeing all three VT Seva Maryland branches - Monrovia, New Market, and MCPS - come together for one shared purpose: to support students in our community. It was incredibly moving to see so many volunteers step up with kindness and dedication to help children who need these supplies. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish together - fundraising $176 and collecting 5 bins full of school supplies for students in need. I also want to sincerely thank the Lansdale community for generously donating so many school supplies and supporting VT Seva Maryland Team. Your kindness played such an important role in the success of this drive. Thank you to everyone who helped make this effort a success. This experience reminded me that when people come together with compassion and purpose, even the smallest acts of service can create a lasting impact. A special thank you to United Way of Frederick County for organizing the Stuff the Bus school supply drive. I’m honored that VT Seva Maryland could partner with United Way of Frederick County this year to serve our community. Thank you to United Way of Frederick County for organizing this impactful initiative. Through the Stuff the Bus program, they help ensure that students in Frederick County have the supplies they need to begin the school year ready to learn. This school supply drive was more than just a collection effort - it was a reflection of VT Seva’s spirit of service, leadership, and compassion. We are proud of everyone who contributed and grateful for the opportunity to support our community. Blog : https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vt-seva-maryland-school-supply-drive-brightening-lives-building-community FB : https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Nyykw8gub/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcPeETpg6Md/?igsh=eHNueGo1dGRscXl5&igsi=eHNueGo1dGRscXl5

On Saturday morning, July 25, 2026, our community came together under bright summer skies for the VT Seva Boston 5K Walk: Healthy Steps for Hope. From 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, over 60 enthusiastic walkers, ranging from young youth volunteers to adult supporters, gathered at the Mine Falls Park trailhead in Nashua, NH. Together, they stepped onto the scenic nature trails to complete a 5-kilometer walk with one shared purpose: raising awareness and vital funding for women's preventive health. Walking with Purpose & Heart What made today's 5K truly special was the deeply personal connection every walker brought to the trail. At registration, each participant wore a personalized name tag featuring not just their name, but their explicit "Reason Why" for walking. Whether walking in honor of a family member, standing up for preventive healthcare access, or supporting youth-led community service, seeing dozens of unique personal motivations lined up along the trail created an atmosphere filled with warmth, unity, and shared compassion. Reframing Self-Care for Every Home Every step taken along the scenic trail through Mine Falls Park directly supported Mahila Arogya Vikas (MAV), VT Seva's initiative providing free, lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings for women in remote, underserved areas. For many women in these communities, taking time for their own health can feel like taking resources or attention away from their families. VT Seva MAV works to break down this barrier by showing women that prioritizing their own health is the greatest way to keep their entire household strong and whole. "To the mom worried that choosing herself will take something away from her family: When you fuel your own soul, you don't have less to give. You come back with more of yourself." By walking today, our community stood behind these mothers, sisters, and daughters, empowering them to choose their health without fear or hesitation. Impact & Community Support Thanks to the incredible energy and dedication of our walkers, sponsors, and generous supporters: * Walkers on the Trail: 60+ participants completed the 5K! * Lives Impacted: 260+ women will receive free, lifesaving healthcare screenings and medical kits. * Special Thanks: A huge, heartfelt thank you to our two generous matching donors who sponsored 1400 screenings to double the reach of our event today! Thank You, VT Seva Boston Family! Click here for more pictures and videos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CXhcM2jEik7ejLyg9 VT Seva Boston extends its sincere gratitude to all the youth volunteers who handled check-in, the adult coordinators who ensured smooth logistics at Mine Falls Park, and every single person who laced up their shoes to make Healthy Steps for Hope a resounding success. Help us reach our goal of 7000 Women Screenings by End of October ‘26 https://www.vtsworld.org/healthcare Together, we made every step count!

My name is Sathvik Sanka and I am a rising 10th grader, and I go to this high school called Triangle Math and Science Academy. I have been a part of VT Seva for around six to seven years and I am from Cary, North Carolina. Throughout my experience, this internship was a transformative experience. But this summer was my first opportunity to experience this mission firsthand through the VT SEVA internship in India. I went to three places in India with other interns: Hyderabad, Adilabad, and Vizag and I never imagined how deeply this journey would change my life, perspective, and having an open mindset. One of the most unforgettable experiences was visiting the tribal school in Allampally and Beersaipeta in Adilabad district that day. When I stepped there with the other interns and welcomed us while they were playing their smooth and traditional instruments and gave beautiful flowers that symbolizes that we as interns will never forget coming here. Their bright smiles and excitement made me feel accepted. At first, I didn't know what the tribal kids were talking about outside but then as I stepped with my bare foot I started introducing myself and we talked about the environment there and the history, economy, and politics around there and we started to build our friendship During our time, I taught them math and an outdoor game called taekwondo. I had fun teaching and interacting with the children by playing games like Simon says and heads up seven up which brought endless laughter and enjoyment in the class. After school we spent time playing cricket and volleyball together. Every evening, they showed their hostel to me where we talked, laughed, and challenged each other to friendly arm-wrestling matches. Those moments reminded me that friendships are built not only through conversation but our experiences. I went to the other classes, and I asked what do you want to become and they told me that I want to be in the army, a politician, or a teacher. Hearing their ambition despite the challenges they faced made me appreciate their determination and resilience. It reminded me that their dreams are not limited by where someone grows up but are driven by hope and hard work. At Allampally and Beersaipeta, we volunteered by serving meals to the children. We even went to the Thandas and met local people there and so many kids were holding hands on me and asking can you lift me? And I said “sure” and they kept on calling me “brother, brother lift me” for grabbing my attention at them. Their excitement over such a simple interaction and my heart was warming up and this reminded me of the small acts of kindness that can leave a lasting impact. We met a 110-year-old woman in the Thandas and holding a stick and walking at an old age was the most unbelievable moment of my life. Our journey continued In Visakhapatnam, where we went to the Varija school for visually challenged students where we greeted them by saying “Jai Srimanaryana”. Before, we introduced ourselves and some of the kids told me that they learn how to swim which is very hard for them and it amazed me because of the additional challenges that they overcome everyday. My friends and I had an opportunity to play this game with the other interns called Goalball which is right next to the school and it was a fun and hard game playing with blind kids. It was much more difficult than I expected and it gave me a greater appreciation for the students' determination and their optimism. When we went back to Hyderabad we went to JIMS college and the staff took us on the tour and we saw the students studying and learning the subject and we also went to see the kind of labs like pathology and Microbiology labs and went to the JIMS hospital and saw so many patients and it is not only that, it showed us the dedication and commitment of doctors We also went to the Nethra junior college and they gave certificates for the opportunity that they gave us and our participation for this internship that had made me to reflect my overall experience. Looking back, from these wonderful moments that I had was not only just teaching or not just traveling to but, every moment this reminded me of kindness and gratitude, has held the power to connect people regardless of their age, language, or background. In conclusion, this VT Seva internship was like an opportunity, like a transformation to strengthen my appreciation for education, inspired me to be that type of a leader and it showed me the acts can make a difference to me. I am grateful to VT Seva for providing this incredible opportunity, and I hope to continue serving these important lessons that I have learned with me for the rest of my life. I hope when it comes to applying for this internship, I think you will be thankful too and going to places like Adilabad and Vizag and so this opportunity would be good for you. Blog Written By: Sathvik Sanka

VT Seva Detroit is hosting its inaugural Pickleball Tournament on August 23rd, 2026 (Sunday), from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at SPARC in Novi. All proceeds go toward supporting the education of visually challenged and underprivileged children. VT Seva supports Schools for the visually challenged in India such as Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. VT Seva Detroit is conducting its 1st Annual Pickleball Tournament this summer. All the proceeds go to VT Seva supported Schools for the visually challenged Date: August 23rd, 2026, Sunday, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Venue: SPARC - 42775 9 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48375 Register as a team of two — $40 per team Contact: Praveen – 248-342-3940 Suresh – 734-612-4961 Venkat – 313-587-8011 Detroit.SportsCoordinator@vtsworld.org Detroit.Director@vtsworld.org Come join us and play for the cause! VTSEVA PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT LIABILITY WAIVER FORM Participant Waiver & Liability Agreement I understand that there are risks associated with playing all sports and court-related activities. In consideration for the privilege to use the SPARC facility and/or attend the VT SEVA Pickleball tournament, my participation indicates that I assume the risk of any injuries that myself or my children/wards may sustain while participating in any VT SEVA organized sports activity and for any injuries which myself or my children/wards may sustain while on the premises of SPARC, Novi. I assure that I am, or my child is, physically and mentally able to participate in physical activities and have been examined by a licensed medical physician within one (1) year prior to attending this tournament. By registering for the tournament, I am signing this Waiver and Liability Agreement. I acknowledge that I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS INCLUDING PERMISSION TO TREAT AGREEMENT. I further state that I have executed this waiver and liability voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance to be binding on my, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns. ___Signature assumed automatically if you register_______ Participant's Signature (Parent/Guardian if under 18)

VT Seva is organizing a volleyball tournament, on Sep 20th, 2026, from 09:00 AM in SPARC, Novi. Proceeds from this tournament will go to schools in India for visually challenged children. VT Seva supports Schools for the visually challenged in India such as Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. VT Seva Detroit is conducting its 13th Annual Volleyball Tournament this summer. All the proceeds go to VT Seva supported Schools for the Blind Date: Sep 20th, 2026 from 09:00 AM EST Venue: SPARC 42775 9 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48375 Come join us and play for the cause! VTSEVA Volleyball TOURNAMENT LIABILITY WAIVER FORM Participant Waiver & Liability Agreement I understand that there are risks associated with playing all sports and field related activities. In consideration for the privilege to use the SPARC facility and/or attend the VT SEVA Volleyball tournament, my participation indicates that I assume the risk of any injuries that myself or my children/wards may sustain while participating in any VT SEVA organized sports activity and for any injuries which myself or my children/wards may sustain while on the premises of SPARC, Novi. I assure that I am, or my child is physically and mentally able to participate in physical activities and have been examined by a licensed medical physician within one (1) year prior to attending this clinic/camp. By registering for the tournament, I am signing this Waiver and Liability Agreement. I acknowledge that I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS INCLUDING PERMISION TO TREAT AGREEMENT. I further state that I have executed this waiver and liability voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance to be binding on my, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns. ___Signature assumed automatically if you register_______ Participant’s Signature (Parent/Guardian if under 18)

Friendship is a universal bond that connects hearts beyond borders, cultures, and distances. Celebrated around the world through occasions such as the International Day of Friendship on July 30, 2026. Friendship Day reminds us that kindness, understanding, and compassion have the power to bring people together and create meaningful connections across the globe. Embracing this spirit of global friendship, three VT Seva Detroit high school clubs, WIHI VTS Club, Troy IAE VTS Club, and Troy High VTS Club came together for a heartfelt service project. The students handcrafted 175 friendship bracelets, each carrying a message of love, hope, encouragement, and connection for their friends thousands of miles away. These special bracelets traveled from Michigan to Nethra Vidyalaya, Varija where VT Seva Detroit youth volunteer Akshara had the opportunity to personally deliver them during her visit to the school with her family. The simple act of sharing a handmade bracelet became a beautiful symbol of friendship between students across continents. During her visit, Akshara learned more about VT Seva’s Nethra Vidyalaya program and its mission to empower visually impaired students through education and opportunities. She was warmly welcomed by the school’s Secretary, Ms. Shireesha Latha ji, who shared the inspiring journey, vision, and impact of the school. Akshara spent time interacting with the students and distributed these friendship bracelets. The smiles, excitement, and gratitude of the students reflected the true meaning of friendship feeling remembered, valued, and connected even across thousands of miles. The visit also gave Akshara an opportunity to understand the determination and achievements of Nethra Vidyalaya students. She learned about their innovative learning methods, including the use of Braille templates, and witnessed their accomplishments in academics, sports, and activities such as robotics, swimming, and cricket at national-level competitions. These bracelets were more than just handmade gifts they became a bridge connecting young volunteers in Michigan with students in Vizag through compassion, friendship, and service. This Friendship Day initiative beautifully shows that friendship has no boundaries and that even a small gesture of kindness can connect hearts across the world. Reflections from Young Volunteers: Creating Connections Through Service For the VT Seva Detroit high school students who created these bracelets, the project was more than a service activity, it was an opportunity to send friendship, encouragement, and love to students they may never have met in person. Through their reflections, the students shared how this experience helped them understand the impact of small acts of kindness and the power of global connections. Manasa from Troy High School VTS Club: This spring I had the opportunity to help lead Troy High VTS Club's Bracelet Making Initiative to send it to Nethra Vidyalaya School. This project produced over 60+ handmade bracelets and gave our volunteers to truly reflect with empathy and kindness together. Not only did it bring joy to the children in the school but gave each and every one of us a chance to connect with kids across the world and become friends. I'm really grateful for leading this event as it truly enabled me to spread kindness to those who need it, along with my peers. Avantika from WIHI School VTS Club: WIHI VTS Club hosted a bracelet making event for creating bracelets for Nethra Vidyalaya students. It was such a great experience, hand-making bracelets, knowing it would bring joy to other children. Creating dozens of beautiful bracelets to make the students in India happy made us truly grateful for the opportunity. We had so many people come together and work on these bracelets, building our connection and friendship with others. We're thankful for all our volunteers who helped! Jewel from Troy High VTS Club: It was such a rewarding experience to see everyone come together to create something meaningful on this event that I led to make bracelets. Although planning the event took time and effort, seeing so many students participate and enjoy making bracelets made it all worthwhile. I felt proud to help bring our school community together and grateful for the positive energy everyone brought to the table. Beyond making bracelets, I believe this project helped create a connection between the Nethra students and those at our school. Even though we are far apart in distance, this small act of kindness shows our support and reminds them that they are cared for and not alone. I especially want to thank every student who took the time to make bracelets with VTS. Your creativity, kindness, and willingness to participate made the event a success. Your contributions truly made a difference, and I appreciate everyone who helped make this event so memorable.

On August 1, 2026, as part of the Pradhan initiative honoring the 70th Birthday of His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, around 30 VT Seva and JET Volunteers came together in the spirit of seva to support Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). Working alongside the FMSC team, the volunteers sorted and packed 131 boxes of nutritious meals, providing 28,296 meals—equivalent to approximately 4,500 pounds of food—for children facing hunger around the world. This meaningful service project reflected His Holiness's vision of compassion while inspiring our youth to embrace teamwork, humility, and the joy of giving back. Thanks to all the volunteers whose dedication made this event a great success. This is just the beginning of our Pradhan seva journey. More community service opportunities are planned in the coming weeks leading up to the October celebrations. Stay tuned and join us as we continue serving together and making a difference—one act of seva at a time.

Walking into this VT Seva internship, I thought I had an idea on what to expect. However, the idea that I pictured in my head was like a droplet in the ocean to what I had actually experienced. We started off our journey from JIVA to Allampally, the bumpy, dirt road truly allowed us to grasp our surroundings and feel exactly how rural the area we were going to was. As soon as we entered, we were welcomed with beautiful flowers and a sea of joyful faces. Regardless of a language barrier, a culture difference, or even an age gap with some kids, we were treated wonderfully. Anything we said, these kids took in happily, showing utmost respect to us although we were schoolkids just like them. From the first second of this internship, they taught me so many games and sports, such as Kabbadi and Kho Kho, as well as us teaching them any games we knew of. The next morning, we rose for yoga and prathassmarani:yam, and the Allampally kids were as focused as ever, putting their full energy into what they were doing. It was a trait that I took with me as I returned, as I deeply admired them for maintaining such focus. Around 9 am, the bell rang for school, and it was our responsibility to teach our subjects that we had prepared. My assigned topic was coding, and as I walked into the coding lab, I was faced once again with a room full of expectant faces. At first, I struggled a bit trying to find the best rhythm and optimal way to teach them coding with limited network and a language barrier. However, once I found that rhythm, the class was unforgettable. It was a true two-way street. Never did I feel they were bored, and if they were confused, they always made sure to ask. Seeing their faces light up as they understood a new topic made me feel happy. It took minimal effort to teach them, as their enthusiasm and genuine interest pushed me to keep trying, and to think of harder topics as they kept up with ease. By the end of the week, I found myself wishing we had more time, as we only covered the basics. With their interest, however, I am sure they will persevere and keep trying once given the opportunity to code. Later on in the day, the other interns and I were stopping by classes, teaching them English and interacting with kids through games. As I mentioned, they are always eager to learn, so visiting each class was productive and worthwhile. It was a great way for us to get to know each other, and some of my favorite memories were made in these classrooms. Shortly after, during 7th and 8th period, my second teaching subject was volleyball. I was informed ahead of time that the boys at Allampally were already well-versed in volleyball, since they played almost every day, while the girls focused more on other sports like cricket. Teaching volleyball to the girls brought me much joy. Sharing the sport I love with these kids, and watching them grow to love it as well was a great feeling. Across the five days, these girls grew so much, and became better players as the days went by. There was one girl in particular who was determined to play. After our first day of volleyball, she wanted to play with me every possible minute of playtime. During school, I taught the girls a game called the Alphabet Game, where players bump the ball back and forth, calling out letters from A to Z without letting it drop. It's meant to be simple and fun, but for beginners, it can be challenging. With the girls during school hours, we only made it to around the letter L. Still, this one girl kept asking to try again, so we kept going. An hour passed, and I could tell her arms were hurting. Finally, even after the sun had set, we made it to Z, and I was incredibly proud. One trait I found common amongst the kids is that they're determined and brave, committed fully to whatever they set their minds to. From that moment on, I added that trait to the list of things I'll be stealing from these wonderful kids. Aside from school, talking to the kids was the most memorable part of this whole internship. I was always having fun with them by playing games, but the conversations we exchanged were most intriguing. I will never talk to people so kind, curious, intelligent, and interesting again, and the topics we discussed ranged from lighthearted to controversial to deep. The late nights and early mornings that I spent with them, just purely talking, were something I won’t ever forget. As a part of this internship, we visited their villages, known as thandas. Seeing their homes and daily lives gave us deeper insight into how different their lives are from ours, and it helped us appreciate their struggles and their childhoods even more. We also took two day trips to Beersaipet, where the experience and joy we felt mirrored what we'd found in Allampally. But soon enough, our time in Allampally and Beersaipet came to an end. The farewell parties at both schools were beautiful, dances and speeches everywhere, and bittersweet tears from the other interns and me. From there, we headed to Vizag, home to one of the Swamiji's Netra Vidyalaya schools. At first, the other interns and I were more timid and shy with the Netra kids than we'd been with the Allampally kids. But once we saw how their world worked, it was amazing, an experience unlike anything else. The Netra kids showed us how they learn subjects like English and math, ones that are usually taught visually. Their own methods were immensely impressive and intriguing, and gave us a real window into how their minds work. The Netra school in Vizag also had a goalball facility, and as interns who love sports, this was like a dream come true for us. We played in teams and competed against the Netra kids, and it’s safe to say they completely beat us. These kids were the best there were, and it made sense that many of them won national awards for goalball. As we were talking to the kids, we learned that the Netra school and Jeeyar Gurukulum never fail to support them in any dreams that they hope to achieve. Truly, this organization has helped these kids through and through, and I have no doubt that these kids will go on to be successful. After three days, our Vizag journey had come to a stop, and I came out of there more knowledgeable about certain lives and situations than I had ever been. Soon, we were nearing the end of our internship. However, we had one day left at JIVA, and we jumped right into interacting with the students. These students were in college, and they spoke with such clarity and intelligence, whether in Telugu or English. Our interactions with them were once again eye-opening. We also toured the JIVA Medical college and hospital, and I truly loved experiencing this. I learned so much about India’s original medical knowledge and the history of homeopathy. The college campus was beautiful, and the hospital was filled with doctors working their hardest, letting us see firsthand what real hard work looks like. To conclude, I walked out of this internship as a changed person. My thoughts, actions and words hopefully become more determined, focused, resilient, and disciplined, just like the traits I picked up from all the kids along the way. Jai Srimannarayana! Article Written By: Anagha Senapathi

My name is Saketh Samudrala, a rising sophomore in high school from Apex, North Carolina. I have been associated with VT-Seva for the past 4 years and I participated in the VT-Seva internship during the summer of 2026. This internship took me to a few different places, the Statue of Equality, the tribal schools in Allampalli and Beersaipeta, and the Nethra schools in Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, and each one pushed me a little further out of my comfort zone. Along the way, I built connections with people whose lives looked nothing like mine and came away with a much fuller picture of what VT-Seva stands for. My first stop was the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, where I learnt about Bhagavad Ramanuja and the philosophy behind the monument. A few details stuck with me, Swamiji designed the statue's dimensions and other details of the monument, so their digits would always sum to 9 (Ex: 108 ft height of the statue, 36 elephants, 153 ft high staff, 108 temples etc.), and the adjoining temples house deities from across India. Understanding Ramanuja's teachings gave me a much clearer sense of where VT-Seva's core values actually come from. The next day, I traveled to the tribal school in Allampalli, a remote village in Northern Telangana near the Maharashtra border. We were welcomed with a full celebration, and I knew immediately this would be a different kind of experience. I'd assumed the schedule would be rigid from dawn onward; instead, mornings began with yoga and prayers, followed by a surprising amount of free time before assembly. During the school day, the kids there loved playing games. For example, the younger children loved playing a game called “Swamy Says”: a variant of “Simon Says.” The older students wanted me and the other interns to visit them just to have a conversation. Under the burning hot sun, I played sports like cricket and volleyball with the children until the evening and had a great time. The best part was the late night chats the other interns and I had with the students there. We talked about various topics like IPL, village life, video gaming, Hindu deities, their hopes and aspirations etc. In these conversations, I learnt just how differently two people can experience the same world, and came away with a real respect for perspectives I hadn't considered before. There were also many things that we shared in common, like SRH fandom. One incident in Allampalli was particularly memorable. The power went out one night, and the temperature rose to a point that I couldn’t sleep. My fellow interns also had trouble sleeping, so we stayed up until midnight playing card games while the faculty tried to find someplace else to sleep. The faculty allotted a room upstairs with cool air coming from outside, for us to sleep. That was the best sleep we had in the whole trip. What I took from it wasn't really about the heat or the cards; it was that some of the moments I'll remember most weren't the ones on the schedule at all. Later I visited Allampalli’s sister school Beersaipeta. The Beersaipeta school felt more modern than the school in Allampalli. The days moved faster there than in Allampalli. The routine was similar to Allampalli - first classes then sports. My time in Beersaipeta lacked the spark I experienced in Allampalli. Sports were competitive there, but not the kind of competitiveness where there were surprises. Allampalli taught me to embrace the unexpected, but Beersaipeta was a reminder that not every place will ask that of you and that's fine too. After visiting the tribal schools in Allampalli and Beersaipeta, I visited the Nethra school in Visakhapatnam where students learned very differently. For example, they use the Taylor frame for math to do calculations. The Taylor frame looked complicated at first since you had to precisely angle the pieces to display numbers. They also use a special stylus to make dots on paper to write braille: dot patterns representing letters. I also struggled playing Goalball a sport without sight–because I heavily depended on my eyesight and not my other senses. That has given me insight into what the students experience every day. We finally made it back to Hyderabad Nethra school after leaving Visakhapatnam. I learnt about how the students use computer systems to aid in their education. They use audio based software to help the students know what they’re typing or what’s on the screen. The teachers also help them memorize computer shortcuts because using a trackpad would be difficult. The faculty explained how college education works for Nethra students and their future paths. They may work in the government as clerks or IAS officers just to name a few. Interactions with the kids reinforced what I'd learned from the other Nethra school in Visakhapatnam. It reframed how I thought about the students I'd met: not just kids adapting to a different way of learning, but kids with the same range of ambitions as anyone else. This internship reshaped how I adapt to different situations and circumstances and deepened my empathy not as an abstract idea, but through lived moments where I couldn’t have understood secondhand. The night incident at Allampalli and interactions with the students in the Nethra schools in Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad serve as perfect examples of instances where one can’t just listen one needs to experience the moments. Learning about Bhagavad Ramanuja’s influence in the founding values of VT Seva and seeing how the organization works in villages and schools has given me a much clearer picture of its mission and a much stronger sense of how I want to support it going forward.

Dr. Padmaja Vemula, MD, USA shares her experience accompanying Interns VTSeva is truly an organization that cares most about empowering its youth volunteers – something that I am reminded of every time I am involved in its activities. This summer internship experience is another testament to that fact. I am so thankful for the opportunity to chaperone the India trip for the VTSeva summer internship. This helped me broaden my horizons as well as enhance my understanding of our cultural values and heritage. It has also given me a chance to get to know many wonderful people. To begin with, we had a three-day alternative medicine immersion camp comprising Ayurvedic and Homeopathic philosophies. Dr. Irfan ji, Dr. Rajput ji, and Dr. Ravinder ji educated us as well as gave extensive tours of the facilities and various treatments. They also allowed us to do patient interviews. Being a physician trained and practicing in the western medical system, these immersion camps made me realize that they are more of an integrative approach rather than alternatives to standard medical practice. After all, Ayurveda takes advantage of remedies present in nature and tries to eliminate the use of synthetic medications. Homeopathy emphasizes the mind-body connection. Now, I feel that every physician might possibly benefit from learning both ayurvedic and homeopathic principles. At the least, the study of these methods may lead to increased trust from patients, who might feel more empowered in their care when their doctor examines with a more open mind. Plus, upon closer look, I found that many concepts proposed by homeopathy– the principle of “similarity”, the individualization of prescription, and the use of very low doses of medicines are important topics worth noting for physicians like me. As our beloved Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji explained, physicians should be like the river Ganga. River Ganga accepts many rivulets, and creeks into her and makes her flow strong to support the world. Similarly, doctors should integrate all methodologies and make their practice stronger and more effective. Next, we experienced cultural immersion. In our daily meetings, Swamiji helped us delve deeper into our Hindu philosophy and Vedic way of life. We learned how cows are pivotal to our culture. And, how there were hundreds of breeds of indigenous cows that existed at one time, and now only 16 breeds remain. We had first-hand experience interacting with cows, feeding them, feeling their energy by being in close proximity with them, etc. We were fascinated to see the age-old process of synthesizing medicinal products by distilling cow urine mixed with herbs. Veerababu ji, who was the supervisor for the ashram’s Gosala with about 400 cows, did an excellent job making us comfortable with cows and providing details on how carefully they prepare the cow feed, and how they make use of every byproduct. He also served us mouth-watering hot milk beverages and sweets. Finally, the largest part of the internship was exploring community service. We went on a medical camp conducted by JIMS college in a nearby village. The next day, we learned about the Mahila Arogya Vikas program which so far screened hundreds of thousands of women for cancers. Our trek to Allampally was the highlight of our trip. We all got unspeakable joy and satisfaction working with tribal kids and interacting with nearby villagers alike. What we provided to the school children was dwarfed by the hospitality and love we received from them, the principal, Prabhakar ji, and, the school staff. I personally taught human anatomy. I was awe-struck by their level of curiosity and how quickly they grasped the concepts. In the following days, we had memorable sessions with Netra Vidyalaya kids over several days. They showed us disability does not stand a chance when your determination is strong. They were curious, happy, and full of life. The level of artistic talent that was on display was mesmerizing. Their enthusiasm was contagious. During the course of our stay, we also discovered what makes the ashram tick. It’s the dedicated set of people such as Krishna Kumari ji. She went above and beyond to make our ashram stay comfortable. It is due to selfless service from volunteers like her that so many initiatives and programs are being conducted at the ashram successfully. In addition, we got a chance to pack food and groceries for recent flood victims. Although swamped with hundreds of responsibilities and programs, Swamiji still thought about the flood victims. This only goes to show how infinitely compassionate our Acharya is. As Swamiji put it, it was our responsibility to help people in need, not generosity. He taught us that joy shared is doubled and sorrow shared is halved. He urged all the interns to share their joy with like-minded people and share others’ sorrows at the same time. I believe that’s not only the essence of community service but also the best life lesson we received. Finally, I highly encourage all youth and adult volunteers to consider going on future VTSeva internship trips to Allampally and Beersaipet tribal schools. I guarantee you that it’s gonna be a life-changing experience for you and will leave you with a lifetime of fond memories.

The VT Seva Detroit Youth Board initiated their first-ever charity walkathon in 2021. Not only was it a first for our group, but it was also a hybrid walkathon, taking place both virtually and in person. Walkathon participants were able to head to vtwalk.org, a custom website designed for this event. Rather than walking for just one day, the walkathon lasted all summer and supported two amazing causes. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, money becomes another issue on top of everything else. Angels of Hope provides financial assistance to Michigan families in need due to cancer so families can focus on supporting their loved ones. COVID-19 has hit India extremely hard, and the entire nation is in desperate need. VT Seva Bharath has been working relentlessly to support the nation with its fight against the pandemic. All the proceeds from this event were donated to Angels of Hope and Cancer Screening Camps conducted by VT Seva Bharath . It was a very successful Walkathon, raised $3214 and donated 50% to each organization. We received a Thankyou letter from Angels of hope. So proud of all youth volunteers who made a difference in so many people's lives. The first step was building a brand new website for participants to register at and track their steps on. Weeks before the walkathon, the Detroit team worked with the Dallas team to create this website. It was amazing to collaborate with other branches and the website was done very professionally. A special thanks to Dallas Branch Director, Uttam for his dedication and support towards our website development and thanks to Harish, Oviya & Priya for doing the QA testing and load testing. Thanks to Harish for creating a flyer for Walkathon. On June 18, 2021, vtwalk.org was launched at our Walkathon Kickoff Meeting. We had a ton of youth board volunteers in attendance, allowing for an interactive discussion to better understand our hybrid walkathon and the responsibilities associated with being a team lead. The youth board members who signed up as team leads created their own teams for the walkathon and motivated their team members to actively walk and track their steps. 29 team members 162 participants, 43 days walked more than 20 Million steps (1000+ miles) VT Seva Detroit has always wanted to contribute towards its healthcare pillar. In 2020, the VTS Detroit Youth Board started off by supporting the St. Mary Mercy hospital in Livonia by raising money to fund the purchase of N-95 masks and other COVID-19 treatment supplies. In 2021, the youth board continued this mission by supporting Angels of Hope and VTS Bharath’s COVID-19 relief activities. All of our 29 team leads worked incredibly hard to promote the cause and get more people to join their team. This event’s success could not have been accomplished without these team leads. Our wonderful Team Leads were Hiba, Oviya, Harish, Kaavya, Sanjith, Amogh, Supraja, Udhayaa, Srihari H, Niharika, Hrudya, Rashmitha, Nikita, Siddharth, Sai Sahasra,Abishristi, Pranav T, Saisha, Arya, Teja, Shrikha, Eesha, Kalki, Chakrika, Rohan, Sanjana, Genea, Aditi & Peter Genea, a company that provides property tech solutions, partnered with us to support our causes. 15 of their employees joined us virtually and supported our cause. Peter Trajkoski’s family also joined in his memory to support our cause. Linda Auge’s family from Trinity Health also joined us to support our cause. All of our team lead family members and friends participated in our first walkathon and made it a real success. Special shout out to Chandrashekhar ji for donating towards this great cause. For the first 42 days, all the volunteers walked virtually and motivated each other with friendly competition by logging their steps at vtwalk.org. On the 43rd day, they all met for an in-person walkathon. Suzie Jovcevski and her family also joined us in representing Angels of Hope. In-Person Walkathon was conducted on July 31, 2021 at Shiawassee Park, Farmington. Starting at 8 AM, volunteers helped with the set-up, check-in, snack distribution, and cleaning. Suzie and her family members set up a stall to explain about Angels of Hope and distributed promotional materials. Our set-up volunteers made a balloon arch, tied the balloons and ribbons on the trees in the park with the VT Seva Walkathon Flyers, arranged the tables for check-in, a t-shirt stall, and a Gatorade stall. All of our VT Seva Detroit members who all showed up chipped in all of the activities made this a true family event. Our check-in volunteers did an awesome job at the registration desk by going through the COVID-19 questionnaire and checking in walkers. Once the check-in was over, our snack table volunteers handed out gift bags to the registrants. Once again, without our amazing team, it would not be possible to hand out gift bags filled with water bottles, apples, snack bars, and hand sanitizer. Special shout out to Zahara for sponsoring water bottles, Vani for apples, Architha for snack bars and Priya for hand sanitizers. Geetha sponsored the Gatorade bottles to sell during the event. Architha & Venkat for printing out certificates for the winners. Priya for printing out the flyers to distribute in stores and parks. Sudheer for getting balloons for the arch. Our RAAS promotion volunteers were doing an awesome job in explaining our annual fundraising event RAAS to the newcomers and our t-shirt stall was handled by our treasurer and the youth volunteers. Our volunteering coordinator Vanitha made sure all of the tasks had been done properly. Priya Jaisankar, the VT Seva Detroit Youth Board Director, started our walkathon with her welcome speech. Each one of our participants walked 3000 meters! The park was lively, buzzing with happy chatter and beautiful morning weather. Many youth members began to race down the track, inspiring other adult participants to start racing to finish their 3Ks. This event was insanely fun, jovial, and light-hearted. All the moments were captured beautifully by our Media volunteers. Our wonderful volunteers who signed up to help with In-Person Walkathon were, Youth Volunteers: Amogh, Arya, Eesha, Harish, Hiba, Hrudya, Jethri, Kaavya, Oviya, Sai Sahasra, Sai Karnati, Shruthi, Siddharth, Teja & Udhayaa Adult Volunteers: Architha, Nandini, Suresh, Durga, Anitha, Geetha, Kishore, Vani, Bhanu, Sreenivas, Anand, Veena, Vanitha, Srinath, Jyothi, Sudheer & Priya Whole team was doing such an awesome job entering their steps every day during the virtual walkathon, even though it was virtual there was a friendly competition going on to see who walked more steps each day. Every night there was a statistics posted in the walkathon group to provide updates on walkathon statistics. Our special guests Latha and Suzie handed over the certificates to our winners Top 3 teams who had more steps were Hiba, Siddharth, and Genea Top 3 individuals who had more steps were Abhinav, Zahara, and Zareena Top 3 team leads who had more participants were Peter Trajkoski, Harish, and Genea Detroit Branch Director Srinath and National Secretary Sudheer and Youth Board Director Priya gave a thank you speech appreciating all the volunteers The clean-up volunteers did an amazing job at taking down all the decorations and stalls, leaving the park even better than we found it. Thanks to our Detroit Communications team (Nandini) for her continuous support in publishing content provided by event leads in all our Social media channels ( Youtube, Whatsapp, Facebook, VTSworld Blogs, and Event logs) from start to the completion of the event. Even though we had volunteers sign up for specific tasks, lots of our volunteers and participants pitched in any area without any hesitation. They made this event feel like a family event rather than a charity event. Our Detroit Team rocks without any doubt they will keep rocking and shake the world with their compassion! Watch the compilation of the VT Seva Detroit First-Ever Virtual Walkathon Video below. Please visit our Facebook page for the Live Videos (Round 1 and Round 2) captured on the event day, and also for other VT Seva Detroit events and activities. Please do like and share and spread the news about VT Seva. Blog created by: Priya Jaisankar Blog Published By: Nandini Cheemalamarri (VTSeva Detroit Communications)