Photo Gallery

December 2020 Letter of Appreciation from Cornerstones

Diwali 2020

Letter of Appreciation From Montgomery College August 2020

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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

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

2017: Karuna Members Attended the Universities at Shady Grove’s (USG) 8th Annual Scholarship & Donor Recognition Luncheon  Amrit Kalotra and Rohini Khera with Stuart Edelstein, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, USM & ED of USG. Mara Puri with Stuart Edelstein, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, USM & ED of USG.2017: Karuna Diwali Gala Pictures Karuna Charities Community Service-August 25, 2017 at the Embry Rucker Shelter, VAOn Friday, August 25th, 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 LuncheonIn 2017, Karuna Charities added $5,000 to the existing Endowment Scholarship.Karunites were invited to the Montgomery College Foundation’s Scholarship Recognition Luncheon on March 30, 2017. From Left to Right, Gita Bhatia, Kanti Singh, Rohini Khera, and Savita Malhotra. April 26, 2016: Karuna Charities Serves Indian Meal at Homeless Shelter in RestonKaruna Members and volunteers at the local shelter on April 26, 2016. From left to right (sitting) Rohini Shetty, Asha Dhingra, Amrit Kalotra, Minnie Jaisinghani; (standing) Rohini Dhingra, Jyoti Gujral, Raj Gupta, Sujata Avasthi, Gita Bhatia, Sangita Kalotra, and Sohina Malik.Karuna members and volunteers at the local shelter. From left to right: Rohini Khera, Asha Dhingra, Sangita Kalotra, Sujata Avasti, Jyoti Gujral, Raj Gupta, Rohini Shetty, and Amrit Kalotra.2016: Karuna Diwali Gala Pictures       June 2015, Nepal: Donated $10,001 to the Embassy of Nepal for the Earthquake Relief Fund2014 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 PhilippinesDonation 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.2011: Karuna and UDC PartnershipKaruna 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.From left to right: Sangita Kalotra; Felicia Brant, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement, UDC; Rohini Khera, Karuna Charities Member; Manish Khera,  Amrit Kalotra, President Karuna Charities; and Dr. Allen Sessoms, President of UDC.2011: Karuna VolunteersCommunity 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?”Karuna Charities Washington Inc., is looking for volunteers to plan and conduct meal preparation community service.  To volunteer, please contact Bina Dhir (301) 229-8392.2010: Karuna VolunteersKaruna friends preparing food for a DC shelter on June 19th, 2010. 2009: Karuna Scholarships Established in UDCKaruna  board members established a scholarship for needy students at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)2007-2008: Montgomery College, MarylandKaruna 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, VirginiaKaruna 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 efforts1999: Connie MorellaChief Guest Connie Morella spoke at the Karuna Diwali GalaWebmaster:  gita_bhatia@hotmail.com