Pune: Pune residents are celebrating Christmas by reaching out to the underprivileged. The charity event is a mega dance that is aiming to raise money for underprivileged children who need to undergo an open heart surgery, under the project ‘Saving little hearts’ by Marian Cardiac Centre and Research Foundation.
According to an Indian Express report, in 2016, 6oo people participated in the event, which raised over Rs 3.5 lakh. It helped two children undergo open heart surgeries. This is the third year of this event being conducted in the city.
“We have distributed blankets and clothes to homeless people and distributed cupcakes to children outside churches and at signals. On December 24, we are organising a Christmas party for children in slum areas, which will include fun activities,” The Indian Express quoted Bhavini Chauhan, a volunteer at Robin Hood Army, a volunteer-based organisation as saying. The organisation is conducting a 10-day drive to help homeless people and others.
Another initiative is by Natasha Gracias who made an appeal by creating a Facebook page as she wanted to collect 25 gifts for the residents of an orphanage in Wadgaon Sheri, Pune. Her request received almost 600 responses and made it possible for her to distribute gifts in other orphanages as well.
Some restaurants such as Koregaon Park’s The Sassy Spoon are also participating in the season of giving. It is hosting ‘Be the Santa Claus for a Cause’, in association with Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra, an orphanage for children, and encouraging its patrons to donate books, toys, money and more for the less fortunate.
According to The Indian Express report, the Prison Ministry India, a national volunteer organisation is organising an event for jail inmates. “We organised a Christmas play for the inmates… the Cathedral Choir and Mount Caramel College and School put up a skit. The enthusiasm shown by the inmates, for such celebrations, is unbelievable,” Father Wilfred Fernandes, director, Prison Ministry India told The Indian Express.
(Source: India.com)