On Saturday, September 18, 2010 over 650 community
volunteers participated in BAPS Charities’ annual walkathon at the Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn. The 5-K walkathon’s theme is “Building a Better
Community, One Step at a Time,” and this year’s proceeds go to Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta. With each step, participants of all ages joined together
to raise funds to build awareness for children’s health and medical care.
“We are honored to walk for such a noble cause that will directly
support the community that we call home,” said Anand Mehta, Vice President of
BAPS Charities. “This is a unique opportunity BAPS Charities has to bring
together old and young to serve the community. We’re humbled by the energy of
all the volunteers that have come out to make today a tremendous success.”
“As friends and family came out to volunteer, there is no better way to
foster unity within one’s community,” said Yogi Patel, a BAPS Charities
volunteer from Lawrenceville. “This has been a walk that will have long-lasting
effects.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is a local
organization that, like BAPS Charities, focuses on achieving excellence in
research, healthcare, and education. Managing more than half a million patient
visits annually at three hospitals and 16 neighborhood locations, it is one of
the largest clinical care providers for children in the country, and is ranked
among the best.
“If the patients at the hospital could see every one of
you together behind them, they would be floored,” said Virginia Seawell, Vice
President for Fundraising Development at CHOA, as she addressed the eager
walkers at the beginning of the walk.
Grand sponsors were Milan Eye
Center and Jon Lubow of Trader’s Edge. Dr Milan Patel of the Milan Eye Center
addressed the walkers, “In a time where the current status of healthcare is in
such flux and when there is so much concern regarding the availability and
affordability of healthcare, it is very reassuring to know that there are
organizations such as Children’s who aren’t allowing our most precious segment
of the population to have to struggle without the benefits of modern medicine.”
Representatives of both sponsors, along with BAPS Charities and Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta, cut the ribbon, marking the event’s traditional kickoff.
With over 46 centers participating in similar walks across North
America, this is one of many initiatives that BAPS Charities takes to support
local communities. Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs,
education and career development seminars, blood drives and more to improve the
quality of life of individuals and families.