Hand In Hand USA: The joy of giving

Chicago IL: On Saturday, 25th April, 2015, the Chicago based non-profit humanitarian organization Hand in Hand USA  (HIH USA) was proud to host the 13th annual fund-raising dinner at Waterford Banquet Hall in Elmhurst. The annual fund raising dinner organized by the volunteer group each year is primarily aimed at spreading greater awareness of HIH USA missions amongst its patrons within the Midwest region, raising much needed sponsorships for its ongoing humanitarian projects.

For India’s more than 20 million orphans, there is little hope for a better life. But, for hundreds of severely impoverished children living in the state of Odisha, India, Hariharananda Balashram is helping to transform lives every day. This residential, charitable school is one of the many projects of Hand In Hand USA and provides a home, food, healthcare and outstanding education, ensuring viable futures for society’s most vulnerable members. The service projects include multiple charitable health clinics that provide free medical and dental care to thousands of patients monthly in rural villages and financial support to natural disaster relief efforts around the world. 

The atmosphere was captivating and over 150 guests were welcomed by several enthusiastic volunteers. The evening started with a social hour featuring some tasty appetizers. Master of ceremony, Suganya Pratap, kicked off the program with the introduction.

Durga Chunduri, president of Hand In Hand USA, welcomed everyone to support the great cause and then updated the audience about the achievements of the organization. The audience was encouraged by a short but informative documentary on the Hariharananda Balashram and witnessed how their contribution is bringing the much needed light of knowledge and joy to poor children who are being brought up in a nurturing environment conducive to overall growth of body, mind and spirit.

Puneet Mansharamani, an ardent member of HIH USA, who visited the Balashram recently with his wife and 2 young kids, shared several lively photos and further affirmed the delighted environment in which these children are being brought up and urged all the supporters to contribute more to provide further facilities to these children.

Listening to Gowri and Raghav, who shared a few letters written by the students of Balashram was profoundly heartwarming. It affirms the joy of giving and it’s certainly true that world will be a better place if we all open our hearts and perform acts of kindness!

The astonishing performance by Srutilaya Orchestra was captivating and entertaining to the audience. Srutilaya Orchestra is led by Jayaraj Narayanan and promotes various types of Indian music.  This orchestra believes in reproducing musical melodies as close as to the original versions as possible and has strong versatile singers and instrumentalists who are professional recording artists.

A vote of thanks was given by Mihir Dash, a longtime member of HIH USA which dropped the curtain on an evening of socializing, music and great food that had all come together for a great cause.
Everyone was exceptionally generous and committed for continued support of this noble cause.

Financial support is always needed to continue these service projects. There is also the option to sponsor children of the Balashram.