Winters in New England not only bring in the frosty cold air, but also the warmth and cheer of the Holiday season. Malls decked with bright lights, towering Christmas trees, and echoing with Christmas jingles. Beckon shoppers as they look for the perfect gift. The falling mercury fails to dampen the holiday spirit as UPS and FEDEX work overtime delivering packages on doorsteps. We all get wrapped up in material pursuits and sometimes overlook the true spirit behind the season; that of compassion and service. Giving love and hope and sharing with those who are less fortunate.

On December 9th, volunteers of “Setubandhan,” under the guidance of Mr. Arun Chaudhari, facilitated a holiday gift drive. What was unique about this effort was that it was truly “hands on”. The volunteers, ranging from ages 6 to 16, were driven by adult volunteers to various stores. Armed with a list of items provided by DCFS (Department of children and family services), they hand-picked the gifts. The enthusiasm of the little volunteers as they ran around trying to find the right items truly reflected the joy and happiness that selfless service brings. The adults watched indulgently as the little elves wrapped each gift lovingly with a smile. They were creating a bond of love and hope with kids whom they only knew by a name. This is the true mission of “Setubandhan,” which literally means building a bridge or bond to bring communities together in service and learning. It was a great learning opportunity for the volunteers as they worked tirelessly, grappling with rolls of paper and sticky tape. There were many moments of fun. Who knew that rolled cardboards made great swords for an impromptu sword fight! The young volunteers shared their experience through beautiful artwork and inspiring speeches. It was very encouraging to see their commitment and dedication to the cause. The evening ended with a delicious dinner.

The gift drive was successful in many different ways. The generosity of the donors allowed us to buy gifts for 51 kids! We all learned the value of teamwork in problem solving and working efficiently. The seeds of selfless service had been sowed in the minds of the young volunteers. They left with a skip in their step and a smile on their face, knowing that in their own little way they had made a big difference. Thank you to all the volunteers, parents and youth leaders for bringing this vision to reality. As Gandhi Ji once said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Earlier in the year, on November 14th, JagoWorld Inc. had organized a Diwali Lunch and Annual Fundraiser with the objective of getting together to celebrate with joyous singing and sharing of ideas. The program included: Lamp Lighting Ceremony, Poetry Reading, and Vegetarian Diwali Lunch.

Every year, on the occasion of Diwali Arun Chaudhari, Founder and President of JagoWorld Inc, organizes events that reaffirm the message of Jagoworld which is to “bring the community together for the purposes of service and learning”.  This year he composed a hindi poem dedicated to children; the future leaders of our world. The lyrics beautifully captured the meaning of Diwali, inspiring every child to shine like a star with the innate goodness they are born with. It is a reminder to all of us that "the festival of lights" is not only about fireworks, sweets and gifts but most importantly an occasion to dispel the darkness of ignorance and spread the message of peace and love.

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