BAPS Charities Mobilizes Local Communities
for Annual Walkathon

On Saturday, September 18, 2010 over 650 community volunteers participated in BAPS Charities’ annual walkathon. In keeping with its theme, “Building a Better Community, One Step at a Time,” the proceeds from this year's walk will go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

With each step, participants of all ages joined hands and raised funds to build awareness for children’s health and medical care.

“We are honored to walk for such a noble cause that will directly support the community that we call home,” said Anand Mehta, Vice President of BAPS Charities. “This is a unique opportunity BAPS Charities has to bring together old and young to serve the community. We’re humbled by the energy of all the volunteers that have come out to make today a tremendous success.”

“As friends and family came out to volunteer, there is no better way to foster unity within one’s community,” said Yogi Patel, a BAPS Charities volunteer from Lawrenceville. “This has been a walk that will have long-lasting effects.”

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is a local organization that, like BAPS Charities, focuses on achieving excellence in research, healthcare, and education.

“If the patients at the hospital could see every one of you together behind them, they would be floored,” said Virginia Seawell, Vice President for Fundraising Development at CHOA, as she addressed the eager walkers at the beginning of the walk.

The 5K walkathon, held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, inspired people to go the extra mile to make a difference in someone’s life.

The event’s grand sponsors were Milan Eye Center and Jon Lubow of Trader’s Edge. Dr Milan Patel of the Milan Eye Center addressed the walkers, “In a time where the current status of healthcare is in such flux and when there is so much concern regarding the availability and affordability of healthcare, it is very reassuring to know that there are organizations such as Children’s who aren’t allowing our most precious segment of the population to have to struggle without the benefits of modern medicine.” Representatives of both sponsors, BAPS Charities and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta cut the ribbon, marking the event’s traditional kickoff.

With over 46 centers participating in similar walks across North America, this is just one of many initiatives that BAPS Charities takes to support local communities. Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, education and career development seminars, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families. For information, please visit www.bapscharities.org



About BAPS Charities:

BAPS Charities is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit international charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by caring for individuals, families, and communities. It is affiliated with BAPS as an independent charity and social services arm. The 55,000 BAPS volunteers networked in over 3,300 centers around the world provide over 12 million volunteer-hours of service annually.

Among social service charities, BAPS Charities is a well-respected and trusted name. It has amassed over 50 years of firsthand experience in initiating, managing, and sustaining 160 humanitarian operations throughout the world in such diverse fields as: medical services, environmental services, community services, tribal services, and disaster relief services.

About Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta:

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 16 neighborhood locations, Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org  for more information.