Charity

Charity Report for 2023

 

In the month of January 2023, Apoorva team of Brindavana, kick started the Charity Initiative department with discussions with Narayana Seva Sansthan in India, to help the needy in Karnataka State with prosthetic limbs.

Our target was 15 amputees when we started. With the support of all the members of the group, we could donate prosthetic limbs to 30 amputees in Karnataka, during an All India event held in March 2023 in Bangalore.

In January 2023, for Sankranthi Habba, we had a contest “Sankranthi Corner” for members. A dedicated space at each of their homes was decorated with Sankranti creative ideas and the registration amount by the participating members was given to a charity.

For Ganeshothsava 2023, members of Brindavana were given options to order for Gowri and Ganesha idols. The proceeds of the purchase were donated to the rural artisans in India. The response from the members was encouraging.

Just as fall set in, the team also called for donations for School Supplies. All donations were handed over to RISE in East Windsor and the highlight is that we had students donating school supplies to RISE.

Brindavana worked with the HomeFront organization to spread “New Hope”. The donation drive was unique  as kids were involved in getting the donation items from their house with some kids posing with the packed items. This was to inculcate the sense of charity in kids from early ages.

ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರೆ, 🎶🎶 ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಬಂತು ರತ್ತೋ ರತ್ತೋ🎶🎶 ಲಿಂಕ್ ಮೂಲಕ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಎಳ್ಳು-ಬೆಲ್ಲ-ಅಚ್ಚು ಖರೀದಿಸಿ, ಅಸ್ವಸ್ಥ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಬಾಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಹಿ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬರುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾಡಲು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಆಚರಣೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಗುವುದು. tinyurl.com/Sankranti-Habba ಆದಷ್ಟು ಬೇಗ ಖರೀದಿಸಿದರೆ, ಹಂಚುವಿಕೆಗೆ ಸಹಾಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. - ಅಪೂರ್ವ ತಂಡ, ಬೃಂದಾವನ, ನ್ಯೂ ಜೆರ್ಸಿ

ಸಹಾಯ ಹಸ್ತ ಯಾಚಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಹಲವಾರು ವಿಶ್ವಾಸನೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ತಯಾರು ಮಾಡಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಹಸ್ತ ನೀಡುವುದು ಪ್ರಗತಿ ತಂಡದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಧ್ಯೇಯವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಗತಿ ತಂಡವು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ, ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸ, ಕಲೆ, ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ, ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ರಂಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅನೇಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಜೊತೆ ಒಂದಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ.

  • Brindavana Kannada Koota NJ in association with TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen) organized “FOOD AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS DRIVE”. Charity Donations to purchase of items for:
    • 80 Diabetic Lunch Bags
    • 120 Meal Bags
    • 30 Hygiene Care Packs
  • Collected Toys & Winter coats from Brindavana Members and donated to HomeFront  organization on Dec 23,2021
  • During Summer Picnic 2021 , Raised $485.35, rounded and donated $500 to “Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK)”
  • Collected and Donated $1000 for renewal of  Sri. D.V.Gundappa memorial school at Mulbagal, Karnataka, INDIA through OSAAT organization.
  • Collected and Donated $10000 for Covid Relief work in Karnataka, India ($5000 through Rashtrotthana Parishat and $5000 through Vasavi Trust of San Jose)
  • Collected and Donated $1860 for Jnana Deevige program in association with Navika
  • Brindavana -Pragathi team joined hands with Chiranthana (A holistic development and skill development center for people with disabilities, to empower them for independent, functional and happy living). Collected and  donated $800 for their proposed Gubbi Project

Sourabha tanda promoted charity in the following ways:

  • Conduct cultural events to raise funds.
  • Organize coat drives and collect soup cans to support for local shelters and neighborhood.
  • Raise funds on need basis to help around catastrophic events around the world.
  • Participate in local walk-a-thons supporting various common causes.

The young members of Sourabha tanda have been a very integral part in all its charity activities and also contributions from Yuva Brindavana volunteers in this pursuit.

Charitable contributions of Sourabha Tanda during 2020
  • Conducted virtual programs in March 2020, raised funds for Meals On Wheels of Monmouth County, raised $1500.
  • Collaborated with Music Mansion, Bangalore and local Kannada Kootas, conducted 12 exclusive Kannada musical events over two months, raised $13,500 in support of Artists from Karnataka.
  • Collaborated with AKKA, participated in Save the Mysore Zoo movement, raised $500.
  • Raised $1000 in support of Belaku Academy, Karnataka.
  • Raised $500 in support of Manasu Institute, Karnataka.
  • Brindavana volunteers donated N95 masks for First Responders and Physicians.
  • Brindavana volunteers conveyed “thanks” to front line workers in NJ.
  • Conducted a food drive in collaboration with SewaDiwali, donated over 6000 pounds of canned food for local pantries.  Brindavana volunteers participated in three locations: South Brunswick, Edison and Iselin.
 
Charitable contributions of Sourabha Tanda during 2019
  •  Conducted a  food drive as part of April 7th program, raised over 100 cans of food, donated to SB Pantry.
  •  Held an awareness booth from Shankara Eye Foundation as part of April 7th program, raised cash in charitable contributions.
  •  Conducted Vijay Prakash music concert on May 5th to raise the funds for Indian Armed forces, raised funds and donated to the Bharath Ke Veer organization.  This event was held in collaboration with the following sister organizations: Katte Boys, Triveni Kannada Koota, New York Kannada Koota, Delaware Kannada Koota (Hoysala), Connecticut Kannada Koota (Hoysala), Sahithya Ranga, Vokkaligara Parishath, and Veerashaiva Samaaja of North America.
  •  Held Lemonade & Majjige stand as part of July 13th program and raised donation for Karnataka flood victims.
  •  Held Karnataka Flood Victim donation event as part of September 15th program, raised funds and donated to Chief Minister’s parihaara nidhi.
  •  Supported Kaveri Koogu efforts as part of the Isha Foundation, raised funds for donation.
  •  Conducted winter coat drive, collected 25 coats as part of the September 15th program and donated to Bowery Mission.

Planned event: SAMAR bone marrow match drive and Bake Sale as part of the December 7th program, proceedings to be donated to SAMAR

Seva Brindavana by Abhimanada Tanda – 2017-2018

  • The Charity team started with an ambition to raise an amount of $3000 for 2017. After good amount of research, the team presented two beneficiary choices for BOD and finally selected “Suraksha Charitable Trust” as a primary beneficiary for all 2017 activities.
  • During the Ugadi event in April, the team setup a raffle program, with the first prize being Amazon Tap to raise the money. The team raised a total of $480 and KCOB added 120$ to make it a total of $600. Prasanna Kumar physically handed over the proceeds to Gopinath of Suraksha Charitable Trust during his India visit.
  • During the picnic event in June, the team has organized a Brindavana Oota program, where nearly 80 runners participated in the run including kids, adults and seniors. The team raised a total of $800.
  • During the Ganeshotsava event in April, the team setup a raffle program, with the first prize being Fitibit HR2 to raise the money. DouOven restaurant, located in South Brunswick sponsored and provided their restaurant gift voucher as consolation prizes for the Raffle. In addition, Arati Nataraj, one of member of Brindavana came forward and donated her few paintings and audio CD’s and pledged the proceeds to the charity. The team raised a total of $1000. The proceeds were donated to Habitat for Humanity, a charitable organization that was helping the Hurricane Irma and Harvey victims.

 

For 2018:

  • Suraksha Charitable Trust was the primary beneficiary for all 2018 charity proceeds.
  • Raised $600 from the Ugadi event via Raffles program.
  • Conducted a separate 5K event in association with Katte Boys, VPA, Konkani Sangha for AKKA Charity. Raised a total of 2500$ excluding all expenses.
  • For Rajyothsava event, running an “Share the Warmth” drive to collect Blanket and Coats, which will be donated to the local organizations that help the poor and needy.
  • 2018 Goals Review:
    • An exclusive Marathon/Music program for Charity. –  Accomplished
    • Target is to raise $4000 for 2018. – Raised a total of 3100, 24% short of the planned amount.

Brindavana ‘Milana’ team’s contribution towards charity 2015 onwards is as follows:

Nage Habba – Feb 15, 2015
Brindavana successfully conducted a Coat Drive and collected lightly used Warm winter coats and woolen material and donated these boxes into Greater New York Area Coat Drive Collection organizations.

Vasantotsava – April 19, 2015

Brindavana successfully conducted a donation drive to help collect funds for “The Arc of Middlesex” and donated the proceeds to the “The Arc of Middlesex” a foundation to help children with special needs.

Help us Help Nepal – May 9, 2015

Brindavana participated in “Essential goods drive to help the earth quake hit Nepal” by joining hands with all Kannada groups in NJ – Help us Help Nepal and established 12 collection centers and collected numerous boxes and delivered into Afya foundation which air-shipped these essential goods into Nepal.

Mukhya Mantri Drama – June 7, 2015

Brindavana organized “Help Nepal Rebuild” fund raising drive to collect money during the Mukhya Mantri drama and donated the money raised into Paropkar foundation and contribute to rebuilding of an Orphanage run by Dr. Dambar Nepali in Kathmandu.

Brindavana Picnic – Aug 1, 2015

Yuva Brindavana organized a 5k Run & Walk, 10k Run – Yuva Brindavan O’ta to help raise funds and awareness for Bangalore based school for poor slum dwelling children run by Dr. Jayaram and his non-profit foundation ILID (www.ilid.org)

Ganesha Habba – Sept 19,2015

ಬೃಂದಾವನ ಗಣೇಶ ಹಬ್ಬದಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಚಾರಿಟಿ ಟೀಂ ರೂಪ ಭಟ್ಟ್ ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಂಚನ ಫೌಂಡೇಶನ್ ಅವರ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ದೇಣಿಗೆ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು, ಈ ಹಣದಿಂದ ಸಿಂಚನದ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ Hearing Aid ಉಪಕರಣ ಪೂರೈಸ ಬೇಕೆಂಬುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಚಾರಿಟಿ ಟೀಮಿನ ಬಯಕೆ.
Brindavana Charity team under the leadership of Roopa Bhatt raised money for Sinchana Foundation, an organization working with physically and mentally challenged individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disability,etc. Brindavana Charity team wishes to provide Hearing Aids to needy children at Sinchana using the money raised at the event.

Uppi star night – Sept 25,2015

“ಬೃಂದಾವನ – ಉಪ್ಪಿ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ನೈಟ್ ” ಕೂಡ ಚಾರಿಟಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಮಾಡಿ, ಉಪ್ಪಿ ಆಟೋಗ್ರಾಫ್ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪೋಸ್ಟರ್ಗಳನ್ನು ಹರಾಜು ಮಾಡಿ ಅದರಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಹಣವನ್ನು ಚಾರಿಟಿಗೆ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು.
Brindavana – Uppi Star night was a Charity event, the team raised money by auctioning off Uppi autographed posters, CD & photographs and the money raised during this event will be used for charitable purposes.

Chandru Aradhya: Joint Secretary and Director – Charity

Sambhrama TanDa’s strong commitment to community, eagerness to give back to ociety we live-in and good will of Brindavana’s new and old members have driven charity work to a whole new level in this past two years. KCOB Brindavana as we all are aware  was founded on the principles of promoting cultural and social causes of kannadiga’s  and is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Sambhrama Tanda guided by these principals considered charity work as its foremost priority to promote and bring  attention  to some important issues in its each and every program during its tenure.

Sambhrama Tanda has encouraged the charity work among the members young and old for the following reasons

  •  Can help us to learn something about the cause and its organization
  •  Can give us New Perspective towards the cause.
  •  Teaches Humility and Inspire Others to be part of charity work.
  •  Our young members can learn New Skills being part of it.
  •  Satisfaction of giving back to community.
  •  Charity Work Lets You Experience Something Larger Than Yourself.
  •  Teaches the Significance of a Simple Gesture.
  •  Charity Work Rewards Last Longer Than Cash.

Sambhrama Tanda has  promoted various  organizations of  charity work  in USA and in India for various causes like rural education, environment, natural calamity &  disasters, consciousness raising groups addressing South Asian women concerns in USA,  Homeless support group and  Nursing homes for elderly in Somerset county of NJ, providing schools supplies to underprivileged school children of Franklin township of NJ. Sambhrama tanda has maintained process of selecting the beneficiary organization for each event which is in need and helping them in the following ways

  • Conducted cultural events to raise funds
  • Organized  school supply drive for local school districts,  winter essential clothing drive, and  food drive  for local homeless shelters and neighborhood

For the first time raised funds for Manavi which is a New Jersey based, non- profit organization working on issues of violence against South Asian women who provide advocacy/peer supportive counseling, legal clinics and legal referrals, transitional housing,

  • Raised funds on need basis to help around catastrophic events for Uttarakhand flood relief funds, HELP Jammu & Kashmir flood.
  • Conducted 5 k marathons to raise funds for Arivina Aramane rural education in remote villages of Karnataka by Ashraya .
  • Got sponsorship through GNANA charitable trust to donate T-Shirts to 5K marathon participants to bring awareness about active life style during Brinadavana Picnic
  • Raised funds for SHIP, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, for people who are in desperate need of emergency housing and associated services
  • Raised funds and school supply drive through GNANA Charitiable Trust to donate to Franklin township schools in in poor neighborhood.
  • Encouraged young members of KCOB Brindavana to be an integral part in all charity activities.

The following table presents the beneficiaries list of Sambrama Team’s charity work:

 

Report by Anil Kumar – Director – Charity

  • Donation to Shankara Cancer Foundation 
    Maitri tanda decided to support Shankara Cancer Foundation, raised and donated $1600/- by organizing Swara Saneevini by superstar singers, Rajesh Krishnan, Ramya Vasisht & Shamita Malnad.
  • Donation to Red Cross North America
    To support local communities who are in need and we had donated $500/- to Red Cross North America
  • Donation to Samatharana
    Maitri tanda selected Samatharana to support and donated $1250. ($1000 from Bridavana and one of members paid $250 directly to Samathara during our fund raising event)
  • Donation to Help Foundation
    Maitri tanda selected Help Foundation to support and raised and donated $300/-
  • Donation to Local Communities (Coat and Food Drive)
    We had organized a successful coat and food drive and donated all the collection to Red Cross.
  • Hurricane SANDY Relief Drive
    Maitri tanda in coordination with other kannada organizations has come together in an enormous effort to help Hurricane Sandy victims across the tri-state area. With the combined effort, we are able to collect fifty boxes of cloths, food and other basic essentials for the Hurricane Sandy victims.

On Sunday November, 11th, we had donated all the collected items to, “Legion of Good Will”charity organization for immediate distribution to Hurricane Sandy victims.

  • C.N.Rajan Memorial Charitable Trust
    On today’s event, we are planning to raise fund for C.N.Rajan Memorial Charitable Trust, Bangalore. Which is actively involved in distribution of books, equipping library, conducting workshops, etc in government schools and also address issues related to health and hygiene in girl students. Maitri tanda sincerely consider that these are the most essential factors in building the future of children.
  • Charity Drive during Vasanthotsava 2011
    Executive Committee for the upcoming Vasanthotsava Celebration decided to make Red Cross and Akshaya Patra as the target charity organizations, to raise money towards the recent tornado outbreak and mid-day meals for school children in India respectively.
  • Brindavana hosted AKKA 2010: Sept 3-5, 2010 in Raritan Center, NJ
    AKKA 2010 was successfully hosted by Brindavana in Raritan Center, NJ from Sept 3-5, 2010. Akshaya patra Foundation was the the principle charity for the mega-event, where more than $25,000 was raised towards the cause.
  • Flute concert for Flood victims: On 31st October 2009
    Brindavana raised $2,200 to build a house for the needy when there was flood in India. Brindavana arranged a flute concert to raise money for the flood victims.
  • Akshaya Patra Foundation:
    For its next term, Brindavana’s executive team selected Akshaya Patra foundation as its principle charity organization. The foundation provides school children across India with freshly cooked mid-day meals on all school days. These meals act as an incentive to bring children back to school as well as provide nourishment. It costs $28 to feed a child for an entire year. Brindavana had set a target of 100 students, but exceeded that number within the first 2 cultural events of the year.
  • Can Drive: On 12/20/ 2008
    Brindavana organized a successful can drive and donated 113.5 lbs. of food to Franklin Food Bank, NJ.
  • AKKA 2008: August 29, 30 and 31 at the Roseland Convention Center, Chicago
    AKKA is a umbrella group of all sister Kannada organizations like Brindavana in North America which organizes a grand event once every 2 years. AKKA co-hosts the event with one of the organizations. Brindavana participated in this event and sponsored its own float in the parade. Brindavana raised $420/- and donated it to its principal charity ‘Sankara Eye foundation’.
  • Brindavana Vihara (Outdoor Picnic): On Aug 8 2008, Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ
    Brindavana selected ‘Sankara Eye foundation’ as the principal charity for the first year of the new executive team’s term. During the event which was replete with fun, food and games, Brindavana raised $580/- towards the principle charity. http://www.giftofvision.org
  • Coat Drive: On 2007
    Brindavana organized a successful coat drive and donated all the collection to Jersey Cares Coat Drive.
  • Ganesha Puja: 2007 at Durga Mandir, Princeton, NJ
    A successful can drive was organized to help the Franklin Township Food Bank whose mission is to reach out to the community and provide food and assistance to people in need in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.
  • Coat Drive: On November 18 2006
    Brindavana organized a successful coat drive and donated all the collection to Jersey Cares Coat Drive.
  • Ganesha Puja: September 16th 2006 at Durga Mandir, Princeton, NJ
    A successful can drive was organized to help the Franklin Township Food Bank whose mission is to reach out to the community and provide food and assistance to people in need in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.
  • Children’s day/Deepavali – Festival of lights: On December 10 2005 at the Bridgewater Temple NJ
    Coinciding with the first anniversary of Brindavana and the cultural festival of Deepavali (a festival of lights), Brindavana held a cultural event. A successful coat-drive was also organized during this event to help local shelters.
  • Samarthanam: On August 2005: Dance concert to benefit visually impaired children at the Bridgewater Temple, NJ
    Samarthanam is a residential school for the visually impaired children in Bangalore – India. All proceeds, $4016, was donated to Samarathanam. http://www.samarthanam.org 
  • United Nations Foundation: On April 4 2005: Tsunami relief
    Heeding to the call for immediate relief following the deadly Tsunami , Brindavana raised and donated $1250 to United Nations Foundation.
  • Asha Walk a thon on 8/20/05
    Brindavana team represented by 14 people and each of the participants raised money for the Asha Foundation. Walk a thon was held at New York City in Riverside park.
  • Inauguration: On December 5th 2004 @ Bridgewater Temple, NJ
    The first cultural event was held with a lot of fanfare. The first office bearers were introduced and the Mission, Vision, Objectives as well as the Constitution was first revealed to the members. This was followed by a series of activities presented on the stage by children and adults alike. A grand dinner put in the finishing touches for a fun-filled evening.