Photo Gallery

December 2020 Letter of Appreciation from Cornerstones

Diwali 2020

Letter of Appreciation From Montgomery College August 2020

Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston

On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Karunites served a delicious, hot, home-cooked Indian meal at the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston, VA. Participants were: Asha Dhingra, Neeta Bagalkotkar, Jyoti Gujral, Savita Malhotra, Gita Bhatia, Shashi Anand, Sujata Avasthi, Amrit Kalotra, Sangita Kalotra, Kiran Masson, Madhu Gupta, and Rani Varma.

21st Grand Diwali Ball

On Sunday, November 3, Karuna Charities Fundraiser, the 21st Grand Diwali Ball was held at the Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg. The pictures show some highlights of the event.

2019: Awarded Certificate

On April 16, 2019, Marc Elrich, the County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland awarded a Certificate to Karuna Charities, Amrit Kalotra. President in Recognition and Appreciation of Karuna’s commitment and professional support for the crime victims in 2018.

2019: Cooked Food for Shelter

On Thursday, March 14, 2019, members of Karuna Charities, Savita Malhotra, Santosh Thakral, Kamlesh Gulati, Asha Dhingra, Benu Abrol, Shashi Anand, Sujata Avasthi, Sangita Kalotra and Amrit Kalotra, cooked and served a meal for 120 people at a shelter in Virginia with love, fervor and enthusiasm. It was very heartening when we were leaving the premises, to be greeted by two men sitting outside with a loud “thank you for the delicious food!” Karuna Charities appreciates the contributions made in kind by Rani Varma, Ritu Singh, Meena Singh, Mona Khanna, and Usha Saluja.

2019: Karuna Charities presented a check for $10,000 to Montgomery College on January 26, 2019 towards Karuna Endowed Scholarship.

The check was presented to Mr. Stuart Tart, Corporate and Foundation Relations Director, Office of Advancement and Community Engagement and to Mrs. Sharon Fechter, Dean of Humanities, Montgomery College.

2018: On November 4 Karunites held their 20th Diwali Fundraising Gala

2018: On August 3, Karunites cooked and served food at the Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston, VA.

AICS Award for Karuna Charities’ Amrit Kalotra

The Asian-American Inter Community Service, Inc., presented an award to Amrit Kalotra on June 9, 2018 in recognition and appreciation of excellence in visionary leadership in community and charitable services, which make a difference.

Karuna received the following letter and the certificate next to it for commitment and professional support for crime victims in Montgomery County, MD:

“Dear Amrit and the entire Karuna Board,
On behalf of the staff at APP, please accept our deepest appreciation for all that you do to assist our clients. Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

Sheri Laigle”

2018: On March 24, Promila and Shambhu Banik attended Montgomery College Foundation’s Scholarship Recognition Luncheon in Bethesda, MD.

**Promila and Shambu Banik with Mr. Stuart Tart, Corporate and Foundation Relations Director, Office of Advancement and Community Engagement, Montgomery College.**

2018: Karuna cooked and served food at the Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston, VA on February 20.

Participants : Geeta Verma, Sangita Kalotra, Santosh Thakral, Sujata Avasthi, Jyoti Gujral, Amrit Kalotra, Gita Agrawal and Raj Gupta. Other participants not in the picture: Rani Varma and Asha Dhingra.

Amrit Kalotra, Karuna Charities President Receives Maryland General Assembly Citation, January 2018

2018: NCAIA (HQs in VA) Lifetime Achievement Award for Amrit Kalotra, Karuna President on January 28, 2018

Indira Ahluwalia, Amrit Kalotra, and Aruna Miller

2017: Karuna Members Attended the Universities at Shady Grove’s (USG) 8th Annual Scholarship & Donor Recognition Luncheon

**Amrit Kalotra, Mara Puri, and Rohini Khera.**

2017: Karuna Diwali Gala Pictures

Meeting with UDC Vice President for Advancement, Mr. Rodney Trapp on August 18, 2017 at Bombay Tandoor Restaurant, Vienna, VA.

Board Members Kanti Singh, Savita Malhotra, Promila Banik, Jasbir Sethi, Amrit Kalotra, Sujata Avasthi, and Ambassador, Sangita Kalotra presenting a check for Karuna’s Endowed Scholarship at UDC to Mr. Rodney Trapp, Vice-President for Advancement.

Karuna Charities Community Service-August 25, 2017 at the Embry Rucker Shelter, VA

On Friday, August 25^th, 2017, a group of ladies from Karuna Charities and friends of Karuna served a hot homemade sumptuous meal to nearly 100 appreciative people at a shelter in Virginia. It was a joyful experience.

Montgomery College Scholarship Recognition Luncheon

In 2017, Karuna Charities added $5,000 to the existing Endowment Scholarship.

April 26, 2017: Karuna Charities Serves Indian Meal at Homeless Shelter in Reston

**Amrit Kalotra, President and Sujata Avasthi, Vice President, serving a hot meal.**

Lekha Sreenivasan in Washington

**On September 9, 2015 a High Tea was organized at Bombay Tandoor in Vienna, Virginia, for Karuna Charities Founder and Honorary Chairperson, Lekha Sreenivasan.**

2016: Karuna Diwali Gala Pictures

Karuna Charities 17th Grand Diwali Ball

Karuna Charities Featured in UDC’s Legacy Magazine (Winter 2015 Issue)

UDC_Legacy_Magazine_Winter_2015_Issue_Cover.pdf
UDC_Legacy_Magazine_Winter_2015_Issue_Article.pdf

Starting 2015 with another honor for Karuna Charities!

The National Council of Asian Indian Associations, Inc. (NCAIA) in partnership with over thirty-six community organizations representing a cross-section of the Indian-American Community organized a Republic Day Celebration on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the George C. Marshall High School, Falls Church, Virginia. Amrit Kalotra, president of Karuna Charities, Washington, Inc., was presented with an award in recognition of her “dedicated leadership and praiseworthy work in the service of the community”.

June 2015, Nepal: Donated $10,001 to the Embassy of Nepal for the Earthquake Relief Fund

2014 Donation of $11,000 to Universities of Shady Grove, MD

Karuna Charities presented two checks totaling $11,000 to the Universities of Shady Grove June 30, 2014 for the purpose of supporting the education of needy students

2013 Donation of $10,001 to the Red Cross Towards Philippines Relief

Suman Sharma, Sujata Avasthi, Jasbir Sethi, Linda Mathes, Amrit Kalotra, Promila Banik, Kanti Singh, Rajni Paul & Sangita Kalotra presenting a check of $10,001 to the Red Cross for relief efforts in the Philippines

Donation to Universities at Shady Grove, MD July 2013

On July 25, 2013 Karuna Charities donated $2,500 to the Universities at Shady Grove. The check was presented to Mr. Schlossenberg, Director of Development and Community Partnerships, The Universities at Shady Grove. Karuna Charities was represented by Amrit Kalotra, President; Jasbir Sethi, Vice-Presidentand Treasurer; Sujata Avasthi, Vice-President; and Promila Banik, Secretary.

Amrit Kalotra Receives Award

The award recognizes that Karuna Charities has come a long way since it was founded by Lekha Srinivasan and flourished under the leadership of Amrit Kalotra. President of Karuna Charities, Amrit Kalotra was awarded a Certificate of Honor on June 19, 2013 by the Indian National Overseas Congress U.S.A., Washington D.C. at an awards ceremony. The award was presented by Dr. Karan Singh. Also present at the Awards Ceremony were Sujata Avasthi, Vice-President; Promila Banik, Secretary; and Rohini Khera, Ambassador at large.

2011: Karuna and UDC Partnership

Karuna Charities received an invitation from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) to attend its 160th Anniversary Kickoff Gala on Saturday, January 29th at the Andrew W. Mellow Auditorium in Washington D.C. Mrs. Jasbir Sethi, Vice-President and Treasurer of Karuna Charities, accompanied by Dr. Baljeet Sethi, represented Karuna Charities at the event. During the course of the evening, members of the university community mingled with the District leaders in government, law, business and philanthropy. Speakers included President Sessoms, Board Chair Askew and Mayor Vincent Gray. Felicia H. Brant, Executive Director, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement, University System of the District of Columbia wrote asking Karuna to be a donor/sponsor for the event: “As discussed, the 160 Gala event was wonderful and it was a pleasure to have Karuna Charities represented… The Brick Campaign (Karuna will be recognized by having one brick engraved with its name at the University’s Founders’ Common within the Van Ness Plaza) is expected to kickoff in the Spring and we will contact you regarding the brick reserved for Karuna Charities. As we are celebrating 160 years of achievement and scholarships, proceeds are for student scholarships. We have so much to be thankful for and we are very honored to have Karuna Charities as a sponsor and partner in the important work that we both share”.On April 8, 2011, The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) organized a President’s Reception as part of their 160th Anniversary celebrations to thank donors for their contribution and support. The function was held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

2011: Karuna Volunteers

Community service, May 14, 2011: From Virginia, a group of members and volunteers cooked an Indian meal for a Shelter in Reston, Virginia. The menu included the very popular chicken curry and peas pulao, tasty vegetable kofta curry, mixed vegetables and fresh salad. Four varieties of ice cream, sodas, juices and milk were also served. The 70 guests had a very satisfying and happy time. One enthusiastic Karuna volunteer exclaimed “Can we do this again soon?”

2010: Karuna Volunteers

Karuna friends preparing food for a DC shelter on June 19th, 2010.

2009: Karuna Scholarships Established in UDC

Karuna board members established a scholarship for needy students at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)

2007-2008: Montgomery College, Maryland

Karuna board members formalized the Montgomery College, Maryland Karuna Scholarship award.

Click on the link below for more information: Montgomery College 2007-2008 Scholarship Announcement

2006-2007: NVCC, Virginia

Karuna established a Karuna Charities Scholarship for needy students through the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation. Click on the link below for more information:Northern Virginia Community College 2006-2007 Scholarship Announcement

2005: KatrinaKaruna Board Members presenting a check to Governor Bobby Jindal for the Louisiana Katrina flood relief efforts