"Helping others is the essential doctrine of the Swaminarayan Faith."

– Acharya Swamishree Maharaj

The Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan is celebrating the 75th birthday of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj. On this auspicious occasion, the North America parivaar is taking an initiative to honor our beloved Guru by taking part in charitable and volunteer activities within our respective communities (in the form of volunteering time or donating blood, food, or any other items).

Target is to collectively volunteer 750 hours by early August. Each mandal is planning several service activities over the next few months. Please help support this nationwide initiative to honor Acharya Swamishree by putting into practice His mantra of "service before self" and His teachings of giving back to our great communities we all belong to.

More About Acharya Swamishree

New Jersey Blood Drive - 2017 July 9, 2017

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As part of the ongoing Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan North America Community Service Initiative in honor of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree's 75th Manifestation Day Celebrations (Sadbhav Amrut Parva), the disciples in New Jersey organized a blood drive in coordination with the New York Blood Center on Sunday, July 9, 2017, which was also the auspicious day of Gurupoonam. Disciples as well as members of the local Secaucus community all came out to donate the gift of life to those in need. A total fifty-seven donors participated, and twenty-five units of blood were collected at the blood drive. There were blood drives also held in Florida and Maninagar, India on this same day.

Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan Maninagar is celebrating the auspicious 75th Manifestation - By helping 'Feed My Starving Children" Charity June 10, 2017

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Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan Maninagar is celebrating the auspicious 75th Manifestation of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj. For this divine occasion, the North America parivaar is taking an initiative to honor our Beloved Guru by taking part in charitable and volunteer activities within our respective communities.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, New Jersey volunteers at MedShare June 10, 2017

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With the divine blessings of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, over seventy-five members of our Secaucus Shree Swaminarayan Temple spent their Saturday afternoon volunteering with MedShare International, a fellow non-profit organization committed to improving healthcare and the environment though the recovery and redistribution of surplus medical supplies and equipment to those most in need. The Northeast Region headquarters is located just a few short steps away from the temple, and members of the temple were thrilled to partner with a neighboring non-profit organization with similar core values of service, giving, and being environmentally-conscious. The congregation looks forward to continuing its partnership with MedShare International and other local non-profit, charity organizations, to allow us to continue serving members of the local community.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple, New Jersey walks at the NJ Organ and Tissue Sharing Network 5K Celebration of Life June 4, 2017

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Over 12,000 walkers and runners were welcomed to the sound of bagpipes and drums, by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA, at the annual New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network 5K Celebration of Life. The NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization committed to saving and enhancing lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

For over ten years, Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has been devoted to spreading the importance of organ and tissue donation, as many of our disciples have needed and received transplants, as well as have donated. Our international temples have held numerous organ donor registration camps, as well as information sessions. Members of the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Temple in Secaucus also participated in the walk.

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA was invited to start the annual 5K walk in New Providence, NJ for the second consecutive year. The band started the beginning of race with an honorable tribute to all donors and their families with "Amazing Grace." As all the walkers passed through the starting line, the band welcomed them with playing American patriotic tunes such as "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful," in addition, to popular tunes such as "Yankee Doodle" and "We Will Rock You." In addition, the band played traditional religious kirtans to spread the glory of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.

Despite the rain, thousands of walkers, ranging from donor families, recipients, transplant professionals, and local community leaders, danced and cheered to bagpipe music, as they commenced their walk.

Members of the band were extremely pleased that they were able to perform for so many community members and spread the importance of organ and tissue donation by participating in the walk as well. The band looks forward to partnering with the NJ Sharing Network and continuing to perform at many community events.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple Ocala, Florida volunteers at the Salvation Army USA Florida Center of Hope June 3, 2017

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On Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 disciples from Shree Swaminarayan Temple Ocala, Florida volunteered at the Salvation Army USA Florida Center of Hope. Volunteers helped sort and stock nonperishable food items for local distribution. 12 volunteers contributed 42 hours of service in their local community as part of the Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan North America Community Service Initiative honoring Acharya Swamishree.

Disciples from the Rochester, NY Mandal volunteers at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier May 31, 2017

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On Wednesday, May 31st, 2017, disciples from the Rochester, NY Mandal volunteered at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. Volunteers helped sort and stock food collections and contributed to the #EndHunger campaign. 27 participants performed 40 hours of service. The Rochester mandal is scheduled for another visit to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in the coming weeks as the Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan Community Service Initiative continues.

Ohio Mandal volunteers at the Greater Food Bank of Cleveland May 22, 2017

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On May 22, 2017, disciples from the Ohio Mandal volunteered at the Greater Food Bank of Cleveland. 22 volunteers helped unload and sort 200 donation boxes for distribution. Volunteers of all ages contributed to the effort for a total 44 hours of service. The Ohio Mandal is looking forward to participating in other service events in their community.

Louisville, Kentucky Mandal volunteers at the Dare to Care Food Bank May 20, 2017

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On Saturday, May 20, 2017, ten disciples from Shree Swaminarayan Temple - Louisville, Kentucky volunteered at the Dare to Care Food Bank in Fern Creek, Kentucky. Volunteers prepared 432 emergency rations packages for natural disaster crisis relief. Together, they volunteered 30 hours in their local community.

Delaware Temple volunteers at the Food Bank of Delaware May 16, 2017

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Disciples from Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Delaware volunteered at the Food Bank of Delaware on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Under the #EndHunger campaign, disciples packed 2017 backpack meals to assure children would have healthy meals. 50 volunteers participated for an aggregate 150 hours of service.

New Jersey Mandir volunteers on Earth Day April 22, 2017

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Disciples from Shree Swaminarayan Temple, New Jersey participated in the Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Volunteers helped collect trash and other waste items from the Patterson Plank Road roadside in Secaucus. Working with the Environmental Department of the Town of Secaucus, volunteers look forward to participating in other environmental cleanups. All together, the volunteers performed 24 hours of service.