Mumbai: IAM Minnesota,USA, NGo, helps those affected by Covid-19 pandemic, by distributing PPE kits and food kits
Mumbai: In the wake of rapid spread of Covid-19 in USA which has eventually impacted on a large number of people and placed them in a dilemma, India Association Of Minnesota(IAM) USA came forward to help.
They proudly achieved their goal Of $100,000 to help those affected by Covid-19 Pandemic. IMA Is now heading towards achieving a new goal Of arranging additional $50,000.
This is an historic accomplishment by IMA, USA.
Mr. Ram Gada, Honorary Board Member of IAM needs to be lauded for his deft leadership, tireless work and infectious optimism that made India accomplish its goal. It was only through Ram Gada’s energization and motivation that made to the set-up to accomplish the goal (in words of Sreeni Checka, IAM President)
Asmita Chhabria, Hello Mumbai News Correspondent took the privilege to interact with the dynamic and prolific writer Ram Gada, Honorary Board Member of India Association Of Minnesota.
Speaking to Asmita, Ram Gada while revealing all information, said that, when he first proposed a goal of $100,000 for CERF, he assumed it a good aspirational number but very difficult to hit. He made it known that team effort and unbridled enthusiasm, can make miracles possible in real life. All goals were accomplished in just a span of eight weeks.
He also owed a debt of gratitude to the India Association Of Minnesota (IAM) COVID-19 Task Force team and SWAT team of volunteers for their relentless long days, nights and weeks of hard work by saying, “Your focus, and dedication towards the cause and your creative and thoughtful efforts made all this to happen.
You had to form a coalition, resolve tough issues, align disparate ideas and continue to remind everyone that matters..But at the end it is helping the needy after all.
Key Highlights of the project:Â
The task force team of IAM coalition of community partners is a role model, a platform that amplifies value.
IAM community partners stepped up to meet the challenge and worked wonders with their campaigns. They continued to surge forward with an intent to not to slow down the momentum, as IAM will be setting up a new revised goal with input from their community partners at their upcoming meeting on 25th of May Monday 7 PM CDT (5:30 AM IST).
Continuing, he affirmed on Tuesday 19th May 2020, that they accomplished their goal of $100,000 for IAM COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to help those impacted by the Corona Virus crisis with food and PPE Kits.
Notably, IAM COVID -19 Emergency Relief Fund ,(India Association Of Minnesota) alongside Indian community partners and organizations was set in motion on Friday 27th March 2020, to help people of Minnesota affected directly or indirectly by the Coronavirus pandemic. Its goal is to address the needs that are immediate and can be alleviated by Indian Community through its generosity. By donating to this fund and by volunteering activities related to food and PPE distribution, Indian community members can unite together to show the solidarity of force for good, to combat suffering and help Minnesotans at this time of great need.
They set an ambitious goal to raise $100,000 by 1st of June. They are happy to report that they achieved that goal on May 19th with generous support of all community donors.
Charity campaign details:Â Â
They are using these funds for the following purposes:
1. Food needs of disadvantaged children, students, homeless and vulnerable populations.
2. Helping many low wage earners affected by the shutdown.
3. Supplying medical equipment, materials and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to hospitals, nursing homes and first responders.
4. Aid to blood banks.
Community volunteers are cooking food, supplying groceries, and delivering based on demand from the following organizations: SEWA- Aifw, Loaves & Fishes, Sheridan Story, Meals on Wheels, North Country Food Bank, Channel one Regional Food Bank. Our PPE volunteers are sewing masks, gowns, Supplying face masks, sanitizers, gloves,thermometers, etc.
Following are fund resources:
1. Individual donors.
2. Regional organizations.
3. Humanitarian Foundations.
4. Fund raising entertainment programs like Funtakshari , FMSD, Bingo.
5. Art contests.
6. Auctions of Sarees/clothing/displays.
7. Auctioning of baked foods and delicious dishes.
8. Private group virtual parties.
9. Music programs with Indian artists.
Community Youths are busy with adults and ready to serve for this humanitarian cause. Community Youth is excited about these activities and wants to continue this service until they run out of funds.
There is a tremendous demand for the help to the needy and their community is ready to help. They are moving towards achieving their new goal of collecting additional $50,000 by to the total of $150,000 by 4th Of July.
Lot of kudos goes to all donors, all volunteers of SWAT team, all community organizations, and fund co-sponsors.
IAM, HSMN, JCM, MMA, TEAM, SILC, Chance, IMSOM, Geeta Ashram, Gujarati Samaj, Bengali Association, Marathi Mandal, Science of Spirituality, Bihar & Jharkhand, Hindu Milan Mandir, Fit N Fab, Sur Aur Taal, FMSD, Art 4 Hearts, Local Files, MATA, MN Sangeetha Kannada Koota, Jayanti Trust, Dr. Dash Foundation, Ria Foundation, Ram & Neena Gada Family Trust.. Yaadeinmn, Asha USA, MATA, Oriya Society.
News report by Ashmita ChhabriaÂ
News Edit by K.V.Raman .
