Winter clothes drive for low-income high school students in Sacramento, California

In a remarkable act of community service at Sacramento the capital of California State – USA, Suvidha International Foundation, in collaboration with the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness and the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova, successfully collected and distributed over 500 jackets and sweaters, along with winter essentials such as socks, jeans, and scarves.

These items were provided to the students and families experiencing economic hardship from Kinney High School in Rancho Cordova, California, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. This heart warming initiative ensured that more than 200 beneficiaries, including Kinney High School students and their families, were well-prepared to face the cold winter months.

The winter clothing drive provided significant benefits to the students and families of Kinney High School, ensuring they were well-prepared to face the colder months. Many students and families at Kinney High come from underprivileged backgrounds, and access to essential winter clothing—jackets, sweaters, socks, scarves, and jeans—offered much-needed relief.

The drive alleviated financial stress on families of Kinney High School who might otherwise struggle to afford adequate winter attire. With proper clothing, students could attend school comfortably and confidently, improving their focus and participation in educational activities. For families, the donations helped reduce health risks associated with cold weather, such as seasonal illnesses.

The campaign, originally initiated by the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova, gained momentum when Suvidha International Foundation, at the request of City Mayor Siri Pulipati, took the lead with support from the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness. The drive was powered by the unwavering dedication of 22 youth volunteers and their parents from Rotary Clubs and Granite Bay High School.

Under the exemplary leadership of youth volunteers Pranil Raichura and Naman Raichura, participants from the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness—including Devika Eby, Atharv Singh, Kavya Singh, Charandeep Killamsetti, Yahaan Killamsetti, Aanya Siri Edara, Vaibhav Sanu, Vihaan Sanu, Vibha Sanu, Neha Vegesna, Nithya Vegesna, Vedanshi Charan, Esha Charan, Deshna Samal, Arya Taneja, Aariv Sharma, and Reyaan Sharma—played a vital role in the success of the winter clothing drive.

Additionally, dedicated volunteers from Granite Bay High School, including Arjun Dhulipala, Sriram Vempati, Rahul Veluru, and Rishab Kharait, contributed significantly. The campaign also received crucial support from City of Rancho Cordova Rotary Club members, including Mike Passof and Lorianne Carl, as well as other adult and youth participants.

Together, this collective effort demonstrated the power of community collaboration in making a meaningful impact. The adult volunteers of the service initiative included Bhaskar Vempati, President of Suvidha International Foundation; Prachi Raichura, member of the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness; Vandna Sharma, CFO of Suvidha International Foundation; and the parents of youth volunteers.

These dedicated individuals worked tirelessly to organize, collect, sort, and distribute winter clothing to those in need. Their collective efforts were instrumental in the campaign’s success, showcasing the power of community collaboration and the vital role of youth engagement in meaningful service projects.

This initiative exemplified the spirit of giving and the impact of teamwork in addressing critical community needs. Beyond its practical benefits, the initiative fostered a sense of community and support, showing students and families that they are cared for and valued. It met immediate needs while also contributing to resilience and well-being within the Kinney High School community.

On behalf of Kinney High School, Emma Falcon – Community Schools Facilitator expressed her deepest gratitude to Suvidha International Foundation, the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness, and the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova. She highlighted the organizations’ incredible generosity, emphasizing that the donations had a profound impact on the students by addressing their winter needs and beyond.

Falcon noted that the support not only fulfilled immediate necessities but also fostered a sense of community and care, uplifting the students. She concluded by acknowledging the immense value of the donors’ kindness and the far-reaching effects of their contributions.

As a proud member of the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness, Prachi Raichura is thrilled to highlight the outstanding efforts of their nineteen youth members, led by Pranil Raichura and Naman Raichura, along with the support of their dedicated parents, in making the recent winter drive a tremendous success.

Together, they collected, organized, and distributed jackets and sweaters, along with other essential items such as socks, scarves, and jeans, to those in need. Deep gratitude goes to Suvidha International Foundation and its President, Bhaskar Vempati, for including the Rotary E-Club in this noble cause.

The club eagerly looks forward to collaborating with Suvidha International Foundation on future community initiatives to continue making a positive impact. Suvidha International Foundation President Bhaskar Vempati shared that the original target for the winter drive was to raise 100 jackets to support the cause.

However, with the involvement of the Rotary E-Club, the initiative surpassed all expectations, collecting and distributing 500 jackets and sweaters along with additional winter essentials. Bhaskar expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness for their incredible support.

To Granite Bay High School students and their parents for their efforts, to the City Mayor for initiating the request for this cause, and to the City of Rancho Cordova Rotary Club for their valuable contributions. He also acknowledged the unwavering dedication of 22 volunteers who worked together to assist 200 families of Kinney High School students and their loved ones.

This initiative truly exemplified the power of community and compassion, bringing much-needed warmth and comfort during the winter season. Bhaskar extended his deepest appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this drive a meaningful and impactful effort, emphasizing that together, they have made a real difference in the lives of many families.