Raising money for a great cause is exactly what VIRSA was doing for the past few months, but this time not for VIRSA’s coffers. VIRSA, Sikh Alliance Against Youth Violence, raised $7,636 by taking pledges and holding a fundraiser specifically to raise funds for the Easter Seals 24-Hour Relay For The Kids. All funds raised are for the purpose of sending special needs children to the Easter Seals Camp for a weekend.
Many volunteers stayed the entire 24 hours to show their support for VIRSA and the Easter Seals. With VIRSA runners coming on to the Swangard Stadium track after their 2.5-mile run, the VIRSA team ran beside them with the VIRSA flag raised high, as it should be for a fine group of volunteers, to the finish line so they could pass it off to the next runner. This was team spirit at its finest.
VIRSA should be applauded for their efforts in their own community and also for their participation in events such as this. The Easter Seals not only applauded VIRSA and their efforts but handed them an award for Most Improved Fundraising, which was an increase in VIRSA-raised funds of 227% from last year.
It’s needless to say that the presence of VIRSA has given the Indo-Canadian community pride for actively participating in a mainstream community event such as this one.
VIRSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting family values and youth opportunities within the Indo-Canadian community.
by Ranj Dhaliwal
Source: The Voice Online (www.voiceonline.com)
