BAPS Charities Organizes Over 35 Walkathons Across North America in the Month of September
September is National BAPS Charities’ Walkathon Month Supporting President Obama’s Service Initiative “United We Serve”
Piscataway, NJ, August 27, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Young and old from all walks of life volunteer at the BAPS Charities Walkathon every year to help serve their community. One afternoon, the BAPS Charities Walk Lead in Clifton, NJ got a call requesting him to teach the caller English so that he would be more effective in raising funds for the BAPS Charities Walkathon. The call was from 85-year-old Ramanbhai Patel (Ramankaka), who in the past has been raising funds for the Walkathon from Indian grocery stores and other Indian American owned businesses. During one of the meetings, by mistake, it was communicated to everyone that Ramankaka has already collected $700. Ramankaka had actually collected only $500. He took the challenge and decided to go to non-Indian retail outlets to raise more funds, but he could not speak English. How could he possibly raise more funds? With what he learned from the Walk Lead, he went to the retail outlets, presented the Walk flyer and said, “BAPS Charities Walk... Please….Donation….” Admiring the enthusiasm of this young-at-heart BAPS Charities volunteer, people gladly contributed. Ramankaka raised over $725.
Another story which deserves a special mention is of 10-year-old Nishitha Vaghela from Toronto. To help children her own age who need expensive medical treatments, she decided to raise funds for the BAPS Charities Walkathon benefitting the SickKids Foundation in Toronto. Every day after school for several weeks, she tirelessly went from shop to shop and house to house to raise support. She contacted more than 250 people and raised nearly $2,200.
The sentiments in their hearts are priceless. Hundreds of volunteers like Ramankaka and Nishtha have been able to give back to their local communities through the annual Walkathons hosted by BAPS Charities. The Walkathon events are hosted in over 35 North American cities annually and has sponsored beneficiaries such as the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Dell Children's Miracle Network, Shiners’ Hospital, SickKids Foundation, and Local police and fire departments to name a few. In all, over fifteen thousand participants walk to help raise awareness and contributions for local beneficiaries. The spirit of these charity events is reflected in the countless hours of selfless voluntary efforts of BAPS Charities volunteers around the world.
This summer, BAPS Charities is taking part in President Obama’s service initiative “United We Serve” by organizing walkathons, health fairs, blood donation drives, and health awareness campaigns across the country. “We are pleased to join this national effort and thank the President for making this call to service. Supporting the President’s call for service and Hindu American Seva Charities, BAPS Charities has organized 125 such community service events this summer,” said Nilkanth Patel, President of BAPS Charities.
BAPS Charities has helped those in need in almost every part of the world. Its contributions and responsiveness during natural calamities and disasters in South Asia and North America are commendable. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, the Mayor of Kenner, Louisiana mentioned that BAPS Charities was the first relief organization on site with warm meals after the hurricane. The International Red Cross officials couldn’t help but notice that the BAPS Charities’ relief camp during the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake was the most efficient and well organized relief camp. BAPS Charities has a solid track record endorsed by those that have seen it make a difference.
September 2009 will be another record ‘Charity Month’ since BAPS Charities has declared September as North American Walkathon Month. More than 35 major cities including, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and Toronto will be hosting these events, inspiring thousands to make a difference for the communities they live in. BAPS Charities’ spokesperson Yogi Trivedi says these walkathons pave the path for our future: “Not only are we helping local charities and organizations, we are instilling values that will help young Indian Americans learn to share the world they live in with those around them and help them mature into responsible citizens.” Trivedi says the response from the community is overwhelming, “We have been getting emails and phone calls from all over North America asking how they can contribute, walk and find a local center that will be hosting these walkathons. It’s simple,” he says, “Visit us on the web at www.bapscharities.org/walk.”
You can find local centers, their beneficiaries and walkathon event information on the web site. The walkathons will continue throughout the month and are expected to achieve a record number of participants this year. Curious to know how many people turn out in your local center? They will keep you posted. Until then, take that step to make a difference. Join the Walk.
For more details, please visit www.bapscharities.org/walk or call BAPS Charities at 732-777-1818.
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Another story which deserves a special mention is of 10-year-old Nishitha Vaghela from Toronto. To help children her own age who need expensive medical treatments, she decided to raise funds for the BAPS Charities Walkathon benefitting the SickKids Foundation in Toronto. Every day after school for several weeks, she tirelessly went from shop to shop and house to house to raise support. She contacted more than 250 people and raised nearly $2,200.
The sentiments in their hearts are priceless. Hundreds of volunteers like Ramankaka and Nishtha have been able to give back to their local communities through the annual Walkathons hosted by BAPS Charities. The Walkathon events are hosted in over 35 North American cities annually and has sponsored beneficiaries such as the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Dell Children's Miracle Network, Shiners’ Hospital, SickKids Foundation, and Local police and fire departments to name a few. In all, over fifteen thousand participants walk to help raise awareness and contributions for local beneficiaries. The spirit of these charity events is reflected in the countless hours of selfless voluntary efforts of BAPS Charities volunteers around the world.
This summer, BAPS Charities is taking part in President Obama’s service initiative “United We Serve” by organizing walkathons, health fairs, blood donation drives, and health awareness campaigns across the country. “We are pleased to join this national effort and thank the President for making this call to service. Supporting the President’s call for service and Hindu American Seva Charities, BAPS Charities has organized 125 such community service events this summer,” said Nilkanth Patel, President of BAPS Charities.
BAPS Charities has helped those in need in almost every part of the world. Its contributions and responsiveness during natural calamities and disasters in South Asia and North America are commendable. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, the Mayor of Kenner, Louisiana mentioned that BAPS Charities was the first relief organization on site with warm meals after the hurricane. The International Red Cross officials couldn’t help but notice that the BAPS Charities’ relief camp during the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake was the most efficient and well organized relief camp. BAPS Charities has a solid track record endorsed by those that have seen it make a difference.
September 2009 will be another record ‘Charity Month’ since BAPS Charities has declared September as North American Walkathon Month. More than 35 major cities including, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and Toronto will be hosting these events, inspiring thousands to make a difference for the communities they live in. BAPS Charities’ spokesperson Yogi Trivedi says these walkathons pave the path for our future: “Not only are we helping local charities and organizations, we are instilling values that will help young Indian Americans learn to share the world they live in with those around them and help them mature into responsible citizens.” Trivedi says the response from the community is overwhelming, “We have been getting emails and phone calls from all over North America asking how they can contribute, walk and find a local center that will be hosting these walkathons. It’s simple,” he says, “Visit us on the web at www.bapscharities.org/walk.”
You can find local centers, their beneficiaries and walkathon event information on the web site. The walkathons will continue throughout the month and are expected to achieve a record number of participants this year. Curious to know how many people turn out in your local center? They will keep you posted. Until then, take that step to make a difference. Join the Walk.
For more details, please visit www.bapscharities.org/walk or call BAPS Charities at 732-777-1818.
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Contact
BAPS Charities
Lenin Joshi
732-777-1818
bapscharities.org
Lenin Joshi
732-777-1818
bapscharities.org
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