Chinmaya Mission Boston (CMB) has recently seen an expansion of their facility and programs in Andover, MA with over 2,000 members.  They have also expanded their community service or ‘Seva’ program through the CMB Seva group to create opportunities for everyone in the community to serve.  This year the CMB Seva group organized a team to participate in Project Bread’s annual ‘Walk for Hunger’.  On May 6th, over 300 people, aged 2 to 70, made CMB’s Seva group the second top fundraiser with over $33,000 collected towards Walk for Hunger.  Now the Mission is both increasing its community activities locally, and looking to support development projects globally.  Building on the spirit and success of recent efforts, the CMB Seva group now announces “THE ANNUAL CORD-INDIA WALK/RUN & PICNIC”, a family-orientated walk/run of 3 miles (5Km) through a local picturesque park, on October 7th 2012.

How do I find out more about the CORD-India Walk/Run & Picnic?

Interested parties and registrants are invited to learn more about the CORD-India Walk/Run by going to http://www.cmbcordwalk.org for more information and to register online click on “Register”.  Further details are also available via email to sevacmb@gmail.com.

The Walk/Run & Picnic is on Sunday, October 7, 2012, at Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, MA.  Please collect at the parking area next to the Interpretive Center upon arrival, Registration starts at 8:30 am & the Walk/Run kick-off is at 9:30 am.  Great Brook Farm is a working property where they make their own ice-cream, which will be a feature in addition to the fun and prizes after completion of the Walk.  We will be having a community picnic after the event.

Why support CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development?

The Walk/Run will raise funds for, and awareness of, CORD.  Founded in 1985, CORD is a secular, India-based non-profit organization enabling the poor to transform their lives through self-driven programs (Mahila Mandals, Yuvathi Groups, Yuva Groups, and Self Help Groups), programs for sustainable income generation by women, natural resource management, and even through strengthening of local self-governance in panchayats.  CORD also provides primary healthcare services, rehabilitation of the disabled, and runs an orphanage.

How impactful is CORD?

CORD activities have been remarkably successful and today support over 600 villages in Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu, providing direct help to over 50,000 villagers and over 250,000 indirectly.  CORD programs are almost always volunteer-led and therefore have  low overheads.

Who is the inspiring force behind CORD?

While CORD started with Swami Chinmayananda’s blessings, since inception the organization has been under the continuous leadership of Dr. Kshama Metre.  Dr. Didi, as she is affectionately known, has been recognized with a Padma Shree award in 2008, and is also a member of the 11th Planning Commission (Primary Health Care), Government of India, for the period 2007 to 2012.

Who should participate in the CORD-India Walk/Run?

The Walk/Run & Picnic on Sunday, October 7th is open to anybody interested in supporting the underprivileged in rural India.  The organizers hope to see many of New England’s South Asian Community and their friends, for a fun, family event in aid of a great cause.

To learn more about CORD, visit http://www.cordusa.org.

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