BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, October 11, 2018: Kids help Kids, an organization initiated and run by kids organized their 6th annual fundraiser event to help the victims of California wildfires and Hurricane Florence on September 30, 2018 at the East Cobb Park, Marietta GA. All proceeds were donated to Direct Relief, a non-profit organization working with natural disasters. The event’s main attraction was their signature 3K race along with many additional activities. Kids raised $1800 at the event and continue to seek donations to meet their goal of $2500.
A kids’ show all the way, beginning with creating the poster, marketing, and soliciting sponsorships, the energy and enthusiasm was palpable. Team members Sarayu Ramachandra, Vishruth Madhusudhan, Sanjana SridarMurthy, Amit Balaji, Veda Balaji, Aadi Katta, Aadya Katta, Tejas Veedhulur, Krushna Malapathi, Varsha Ramachandra, Dhanya Inamdar along with other kid volunteers fervently deployed their delegated jobs.
“Kids help Kids has always come forward to help people in need. This time we have come together to help victims of California wildfires and Hurricane Florence and I’m happy that we can help people who need it,” said Vishruth Madhusudhan who opened the event with his welcome note.
Kids had reached out to community establishments Panera Bread, Cold Stone, Marietta Donuts, Starbucks, Cookies by Design that supplied bagels, pastries and cookies for the event. Jewelry, hand-made by Varsha Ramachandra brought in over $400. The event also featured a bake sale, an Indian breakfast menu, some fun games, artistic face painting, and raffle ticket prizes.
“It was touching to see how many people came out to volunteer and spend time with us and we are thankful to all the stores that offered their help,” said Sarayu Ramachandra.
“It is very inspiring how us kids as well as the people that attended the event all came together to benefit the greater good and support the cause,“ added Sanjana SridarMurthy in her closing comments.
A total of 85 runners including adults and kids participated in the race. Rohan Shirur won first place winning a $120 gift certificate to Road Runner shoe store, followed by Amit Balaji, who won a Starbucks GC and Disha Balgodi who bagged a Coldstone GC. Shobha Shivaram and Sheetal Shankaregowda were the lucky winners of raffle-ticket-prizes taking home a gift-basket donated by ‘Cookie-by-Design’ and gift cards.
“I am happy that we all could come together and help people in need,” smiled Amit Balaji, one of the winners.
The concept of Kids help Kids was initiated by Veda Balaji in 2013 to raise funds for a cause. In the past, the organization has contributed donations from their fundraisers to Oklahoma Tornado disaster, 2013, Philippines typhoon disaster, 2013, Promoting girl education, 2014, Chennai flood disaster, 2015, and Texas and Florida Hurricane 2017.
