[vc_row type=”vc_default” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#d9d9d9″][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear HOPE USA Supporter,
Thank you for your continued support for, and interest in, the work of HOPE in Kolkata. Your generosity ensures that our colleagues can continue to deliver HOPE’s vital programs for street connected children and slum dwelling communities in Kolkata.
HOPE USA is delighted to provide you with an update on recent HOPE USA fundraising activities at various Saraswati Pujo celebrations across the USA. Huge thanks to our amazing youth and adult volunteers who made these events possible and who have raised awareness about, and $2,500 for, the work of HOPE in Kolkata.
If you are interested in attending a HOPE event, please make sure to check out HOPE USA on social media and find out when we are having an event near you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From Raili Roy – HOPE USA Executive Director & Fundraising Officer
HOPE USA believes in the strength of our young volunteers in making a difference. They are provided with logistical support to organize and raise funds for HOPE and each one of them brings in their passion and creativity in making these initiatives a success. HOPE provides volunteering hours and certificates for their contribution and they truly become advocates for HOPE’s work.
If you, or your teenage child is interested in becoming a HOPE volunteer, please reach out to us. Our current Youth volunteers are a brilliant group of young women who are making a difference with their sincerity and creativity and we at HOPE are extremely proud of each one of them. It is our pleasure to highlight their efforts in organizing the recent Saraswati Pujo fundraisers through their own testimonials.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Testimonials from HOPE USA Youth Volunteers
Anushka helped to organize and implement two fundraisers at Pragati and BADV in Pennsylvania and Delware, and successfully raised funds and raised awareness about HOPE’s work. Here is what she has to say about her experience :
“As a child visiting Kolkata every summer to see my family, there was one thing that would always stick out to me about what I saw there. The kids my age, or even younger, living on the streets, without a home to return to, a school to learn in, or even a clean place to maintain their health. As much as I wanted to, I never imagined that I would be able to truly help them. When I joined The Hope Foundation, I realized that I could.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”110719″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”110720″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]”January 21st, 2023 was the first fundraiser that I organized for the HOPE Foundation. I coordinated with Pragati Philadelphia to hold a small fundraiser at their annual Saraswati Puja, at a local middle school. We set up a small table with baked goods, HOPE’s trademark chocolate bars, bags, hand-made cards, and other small trinkets. We gave a small presentation about HOPE, telling people about what kind of work the foundation does, each of its programs, and how to donate. Following our speech, many approached us asking where to donate, and we ended the day with success.
“The next fundraiser was on January 29th. I organized this fundraiser at the Delaware MahaLakshmi Temple, communicating with the Bengali Association of Delaware Valley, to hold the fundraiser during their Saraswati Pujo. Many families were present, most of them having a direct connection with Kolkata, asking about several things on the informational poster about HOPE, recognizing the positive impact that their donations would have on their home. I encouraged everyone present to donate, no matter the amount. At this Pujo, with the help of a fellow volunteer June, I also presented information about The Hope Foundation, and the impact that people’s donations would have on the children that so many of us have seen in the streets of Kolkata. I took every opportunity to encourage people to donate, going from table to table, and the results were very good. We raised over $600 from these two small fundraisers.
The experience was truly inspiring, and the feeling of knowing each donation in the box would lead to more resources for kids in Kolkata was greatly fulfilling. I look forward to organizing more fundraisers, and little by little, making the differences that I couldn’t have imagined making years ago.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Enika and Ritisha successfully volunteered at the fundraisers organized at Pragati, Maitree, Sreeshti and BCS and helped raise awareness about and funds for HOPE’s life changing work in Kolkata. Here are their testimonials:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”110723″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”110724″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]”For the last few months, I have been working with The Hope Foundation and it has been a riveting experience thus far. My journey began while I was training for my arangetrum, and I used my arangetrum to raise money for this incredible foundation. But my relationship with HOPE did not end there. I had ultimately decided that this organization supported a cause that I deeply believed in, and I wanted to do more. So for the last few weeks, I have been traveling to all different events in an effort to raise as much money as I possibly can for the organization. It was amazing to be able to advocate for the HOPE Foundation and to allow people to understand and support it as much as they could. The amount of love and compassion people showed to HOPE was overwhelming and that only drove my determination even more. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing foundation, and I hold much regard for all the things they are doing for the less fortunate. I cannot wait for my future in HOPE to grow, and for me to work even harder to provide a better life for those who are in need.” – Enika[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”110725″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]“I have been working with HOPE for a few months now and my experience has been absolutely amazing right from the start. I initially joined HOPE as I respected the cause and wished to support them in their endeavor. Volunteering with HOPE has made me realize, by simply taking a few small steps at a time, even I can contribute to my community. I have volunteered at a few events alongside other members of HOPE and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I was fortunate enough to experience the kindness others showered on The Hope Foundation and due to their generosity, my experience has been more worthwhile. HOPE is doing impeccable work by providing for the less privileged and I consider myself to be fortunate to be able to contribute to such a noble cause.” – Ritisha[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
