Los Angeles Chapter of EVF USA Performs Spectacular Fundraising Activities: A Report
The program was performed using local but well known artists and was attended by over 600 enthusiasts. We reached our target pledge of around $160,000 enough to support 450 schools. We might reach the 500 mark as we continue our efforts in reaching out to past donors.
The program received raved reviews from the press, attendees and our own team based on the feedback conducted post program mainly in the following areas:
Quality, Program selection, Audio/video/visuals and overflow flow. The patrons enjoyed quality dinner served prior to the event. The proceeds from Ticket Sales was more than adequate to cover the cost of the event.
Highlights:
- Odissi dance performance by renowned artist Mrs. Nandita Behera ji and her students.
- Kids of local balavihar performed a song sequence that was the highlight of the show.
- Short presentation created specifically by the LA (Audio-video) team spelt the Success of Ekal project at an Individual, Family and Community level to highlight the change brought out by Ekal and how the donor's money is put to use. Fund raising was done completely by ˜YOUTH™ team.
- The last hour of ˜Sangeet Sandhya“ light classical music renditions by local renowned artist Manjusha Joshi, supported by Sandeep Katre on tabla and Vijay Bhatt on harmonium had the audience spell bound.
What worked:
Our goal was to collect as many pledges prior to the program by contacting every single donor from the past and requesting their pledges ahead of time.
This was to keep the fund-raising time to the minimum. We had over 360 pledges prior to the event.
Lessons learned:
- The program between dance/kids presentation/sangeet sandhya seemed too long even though we managed time extremely well (3 hours total). We feel that 1 main program interspaced with a short skit/fund raiser would be well received based on audience feedback.
- Due to the vastness of the region (Los Angeles), it might be better to have two reasonably sized programs instead of just one, not possible without an expanded volunteer base. This should be our goal for next year.
Success Factor:
Student of Southern California Unleashes a Unique Idea for Fundraising: A Letter Addressed to EVF USA
Suresh Uncle - Here is the bio I have written up for the program. I am terribly sorry I cannot attend, unfortunately this time of year is extremely busy and crucial when it comes to school. While I may not be there physically please know that my thoughts and spirit are there with you.
Bio: Everyday I attend a good school, for an amazing education that I often take for granted. I realized that others less fortunate than I, were not exposed to the same opportunities that I have. I wish to help, and continue to help throughout my life, to bring enlightenment to their lives.
I created a club at my school to raise funds for Ekal. We collect recyclable items from our households, then turn them in for cash. We collect these cans and bottles once every other month, then take them to the recycling center, and sort them out. That way we can not only help my brothers and sisters in India, but also better the environment.
PS - Please accept my contribution for one school, I hope I'll be able to continue to donate to this school for five years till it becomes self-sufficient.
Regards,
Sanjala Chitnis
Ekal Volunteer Grabs 2009 "Best Interior Designer Award" in Houston
Ms. Harshad Jaswant, a volunteer of EVF USA won the "Best of Show 2009 Critics Interior Designer Award" on May 7, 2009 in Houston.
Hema Malini Presents Fascinating Dance Drama in Aid of Ekal Abhiyan
On 11th April, 2009 the FTS chapter of Surat organized a dance drama programme ‘Yashoda Krishnaâ€TM in aid of Ekal Abhiyan.
The Brand Ambassador of FTS, Cine Artist, Shastriya Dancer, Hema Malini alongwith her daughter Ahana Deol and 35 other artists spell bound the guests, donors and other dignitaries of the town by their superb performance. Apart from the Karyakartas of the Chapter, many prominent personalities from the fields of Education, Art, Administration and Social Work were present in the programme.
The chief guest of the programme was the Chief Income Tax Commissioner of Surat, Sri K.P. Singh and special Guests were Collector Sri Dilip Rawal, Police Commissioner Sri Deepak Swaroop and well-known Industrialist of Surat Sri Ram Ratan Bhutada, Chairman of R.R. Group.
Donation for 1045 Ekal Vidyalayas was collected through the programme. This is the biggest donation ever received by Surat chapter in one go. The programme was a great success especially in view of inspiring the people to help the tribals, fulfillment of institutional objectives, association of new faces and raising funds
Lion's Club Joins School Sponsorship Club
Sri Sunil Kumar Agarwal, President, Lions Club, New Delhi has announced that the Club will take 44 Seva Patras this year and will give 44 cheques of individual donor for Rs. 365/- each. One school to be allotted against 44 cheques in the name of Lions Club of New Delhi. Lions Club, Alaknanda follows suit as it also proposes to take 396 Seva Patra.
Annual Day Celebration of Coimbatore Chapter of FTS held
The Annual Day celebration of Coimbatore Chapter of FTS was held in the most dignified manner on 10th of May, 2009 in Cavalier Dr. G.K. Devarajulu Auditorium, Coimbatore. Padamshree Dr. P.R. Krishnakumar was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Many dignitaries including Swami Dayanand Saraswatiji of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Anaikatti, Aim for Seva and Sri Rameshwar Lal ji Kabra, President FTS, National, were present.
Vanyatra: A Memorable Experience
Saturday, 11
th April, 2009 Mr Deshpande along with the executive committee of SVO Belgaum and with college students of Belgaum went to visit the Ekal School near Belgaum. The Ekal School was running in a hut. Most of the houses were made of Bamboo and plastered with mud. The poverty was very much obvious. Everybody were appalled seeing the condition of the people but very much pleased when they were given a warm welcome by the ladies of the village with Arti and a tilak, a traditional welcome. We entered the small hut where around 25-27 kids were sitting in proper rows. The Acharya was a young lady of about 25-27 years old with pleasing personality. The Ekal School started with OM and Gayatri mantra.
The students recited with good voice. They wrote their names on the board and solved mathematical examples of plus and minus. The students did that with confidence and perfection.
The college students then asked the kids to tell their names. The boys and girls did that without any fear and told everything including their post office, taluka, district, State and country. The college students were really pleased. Then the kids sang some shlokas and performed dances and some sang songs.
Afterwards, the college students and the kids of Vidyalaya played “Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jay Khanniya Lal� together. They interacted with the villagers. They came to know that the village was established about five years back. Before that all the inhabitants were roaming along with their cattles in and around 50kms of jungle. At the moment they said that there was no water facility and no electricity in the village. They also told that none of their five generations had any education formally. This is the first generation of kids getting some education and they really with their hearts thanked the Ekal Abhiyan which had brought school to their doorsteps.
We were very impressed and thrilled the way the Acharya was taking pain to teach the kids. It was really an eye opening for everybody there. The students understood the plight of people there and decided to do something. They never could imagine that there can be place without electricity or good approach road.
A Memorable Experience
Mr Deshpande along with the executive committee of SVO Belgaum and with college students of Belgaum went to visit the Ekal School near Belgaum. The Ekal School was running in a hut. Most of the houses were made of Bamboo and plastered with mud. The poverty was very much obvious. Everybody were appalled seeing the condition of the people but very much pleased when they were given a warm welcome by the ladies of the village with Arti and a tilak, a traditional welcome. We entered the small hut where around 25-27 kids were sitting in proper rows. The Acharya was a young lady of about 25-27 years old with pleasing personality. The Ekal School started with OM and Gayatri mantra.
The students recited with good voice. They wrote their names on the board and solved mathematical examples of plus and minus. The students did that with confidence and perfection.
The college students then asked the kids to tell their names. The boys and girls did that without any fear and told everything including their post office, taluka, district, State and country. The college students were really pleased. Then the kids sang some shlokas and performed dances and some sang songs.
Afterwards, the college students and the kids of Vidyalaya played “Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jay Khanniya LalĀ together. They interacted with the villagers. They came to know that the village was established about five years back. Before that all the inhabitants were roaming along with their cattles in and around 50kms of jungle. At the moment they said that there was no water facility and no electricity in the village. They also told that none of their five generations had any education formally. This is the first generation of kids getting some education and they really with their hearts thanked the Ekal Abhiyan which had brought school to their doorsteps.
We were very impressed and thrilled the way the Acharya was taking pain to teach the kids. It was really an eye opening for everybody there. The students understood the plight of people there and decided to do something. They never could imagine that there can be place without electricity or good approach road.
Current Numbers
Number of Ekal Schools:
26,880 Number of Children:
772,065
