hand in hand usa | newsletter 2017texas, louisiana and florida earlier this year. hand in hand usa,...

Hand In Hand USA| 710 St. Joseph’s Dr, Oak Brook, IL, 60523| www.handinhandusa.org |[email protected]| Ph -630-323-2358

Message From President Durga Chunduri

As the year ends during this holiday season, on behalf of Hand In Hand USA, I am taking this opportunity to convey my heartfelt thanks to the contributors without whose support this organization cannot exist. Also, I offer my sincere thanks to all the volunteers who are helping to run the HIH USA activities in the Chicago area. I thank all the individuals and organizers in different cities who are donating their time and efforts in fundraising activities. We maintain HIH USA expenses at a minimum as the organization is managed entirely by volunteers and 97% of the donations go directly to the projects supported by HIH USA. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

“Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given: a heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” -Francis of Assisi

Happy Holidays! We wish you, your family and friends a very happy holiday season! Thank you for your generosity this year. We appreciate your support which has made it possible to continue the humanitarian projects in India and around the world in 2017.

We especially thank you for your continued support of the Balashram, our residential school for poor and orphaned children, providing loving service for more than a decade.. May your new year, 2018, be filled with health, happiness, success and peace.

December 2017 Disaster Relief Two consecutive hurricanes, Harvey and Irma wreaked tremendous havoc on countless victims across parts of Texas, Louisiana and Florida earlier this year. Hand In Hand USA, in keeping with our tradition of helping in times of such natural calamities and disasters, arranged a fundraising campaign and sent $12,000 in financial aid to assist the relief efforts. On November 9th 2017, Hand In Hand USA co-organized a fundraiser in Chicago for the victims of the September 19th earthquake of 7.1 magnitude in San Lucas Colucán, Puebla Mexico. The event, planned by Tony and Sara Chavarria, was a huge success with over $15,000 raised for earthquake relief. HIH USA partnered with De Mano a Mano, an all-volunteer organization in Mexico, to help victims rebuild their homes. The funds have gone directly to the construction of 18 homes for the most affected families, restoring their dignity and a roof over their heads.

Hariharananda Balashram The Hariharananda Balashram is helping to fight hunger, homelessness and illiteracy, one child at a time. Our residential, charitable school provides a nurturing home, healthy food, quality medical care and outstanding education, ensuring viable futures for society’s most vulnerable members. With nearly 500 children, there is always plenty of activity and accomplishment.

Morning assembly of students at Hariharananda Balashram

Hand In Hand USA | Newsletter 2017 A non-profit organization for humanitarian aid

mailto:%[email protected]%7CPh


More News From Balashram Abhisekh Khuntia of Class 3 received a National Award in a painting competition organized by the government of India. The other participants from Balashram were Dashmat Murmu and Somai Soren who were awared the district level first and second prizes, respectively, on November 20, 2017. 5 boys and 5 girls participated in the National Jamboree held at Mysore, Karnatak early this year. They received various awards for special talents in a variety of categories including Odishi dance and art. Students are also excelling in sports. Both boys and girls have been selected for state-level soccer. 4 girls participated on the state team that placed 2nd in a big tournament this past fall.

Students participating at international festival. Dallas and Chicago Walkathons The HIH USA Dallas Chapter held its 6th Walkathon on November 18th at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, and it was very successful. The weather was beautiful and nearly 100 people from all walks of life came together for the event. More than $6000 was raised.

Many participated in the 6th Annual Dallas Walkathon.

The 11th annual HIH USA Walkathon took place on September 2nd in Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton, IL. Around 40 people participated and enjoyed a beautiful walk in the park. Approximately $5,000 was raised. Chicago Walkathon participants enjoying the picnic area.

Charlotte Fundraising Dinner The Charlotte Chapter of Hand In Hand USA launched its First Annual Fundraising Dinner on Friday, December 1st. The goal was to raise money to support the education and boarding of 10 children at the Balashram. The local volunteers and their children did a great job coordinating this event. 50 people attended and around $10,000 was raised. The dinner included an opening prayer, presentations on Hand In Hand USA projects and a recorded talk by president Durga Chunduri.

Village Health Projects Hand In Hand USA sponsors charitable health centers in India in the villages of Balighai, Bhisindipur, and Jagatpur with clinics in Arua and Athagarh. More than 10,000 poor and rural patients are treated each month at these sites, free of cost. More medical services have been added to the facilities including electrocardiography, physiotherapy, and expanded lab testing. Financial support is always needed to treat those suffering from medical conditions without access to care. Hand In Hand USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation, which will aid our ongoing service projects. The volunteer staff sincerely thanks you for your continued support and so do the children of the Balashram!



My joyful childhood in Balashram

Hello,

I am Sheetal Bharatiya, a ten years young girl of Hariharananda

Balashram.

I am happy that you are giving me an opportunity to share my

feelings about my home where I am growing with all care and love.

Balashram is not only a school for me rather it is a loving home for

me. I am a girl; I lost my father from my childhood. I learn something here from teachers and

mamas. I am getting many facilities in our Balashram.

I like dance. I have a dance room. I have a good dance teacher.

And my dance teacher is teaching dance well. I enjoy by dancing. I like to study math. I

have nice math teacher and my favorite subject is Math. My aim is to be a Math Teacher. I am

confident that with the help of my teachers I will achieve whatever I want. I am getting Value

Education. These values like truthfulness, honesty, discipline, kindness, respect etc. would help

me to become a good human being.

I love my Balashram because it is my unique home.

Sheetal Bharatiya, Class-V

In Their Own Words… A special message from a child of the Balashram to our Hand In Hand USA community



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HAND IN HAND USA

710 St. Josephs Drive

Oak Brook, IL 60560

Getting Involved

Hand In Hand USA requests and encourages it’s patrons to

organize fund raising events such as dinners/walkathons.

Please contact Hand In Hand USA for volunteer

opportunities.

Gift Matching Program

We take this opportunity to remind all our patrons that

Motorola Inc., General Electric, Bank of America, AMD

Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, Yahoo,

VMWare, Wells Fargo and Verizon are matching dollar-to-

dollar donations made to our organization. We encourage

all our patrons to check with their respective

employers/organizations and let us know what, if any,

paperwork is required to add Hand in Hand USA to gift

matching programs.

Help Your Skin Help A Cause

Hales Cosmeceuticals beauty products are used by many

well-known dermatologists, plastic surgeons, salons and

spas. Each product is backed by over 20 years of experience

and is free of animal derivatives. The products are

comparable to any well-known brands in terms of

effectiveness and results and can be purchased at a truly low

price with all proceeds benefitting HIH USA.

For product inquiries and purchase please email

[email protected] or call 630-882-0247. Cosmetics

can also be purchased at products.handinhandusa.org.

Thank you for your continued support!!! May your holiday season be filled with joy and peace!!!


hand in hand usa | newsletter 2017texas, louisiana and florida earlier this year. hand in hand usa,...

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