Sant Nirankari Mission blood drives extend into South Carolina
This year Sant Nirankari Mission – Atlanta Branch extended its blood drive program, organizing five blood drives in South Carolina with the Blood Connection blood bank on April 15, 2017 as well as four in Metro Atlanta with Life South on April 22, 2017. The Mission strives to have an active role in the community, and one of the many ways it contributes is by serving humanity with these drives. As His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji said, "Blood should flow in veins, not in the drains."
This event was dedicated to Manav Ekta Diwas (Human Unity Day), which is celebrated in April in remembrance of Baba Gurbachan Singh ji, Chacha Pratap Singh ji, and many others who sacrificed their life for the Mission to uphold the ideals of truth, nonviolence, and tolerance. Service to mankind is the path to reach God. With the principal commitment to spiritual awakening, the Nirankari Mission participates in several social welfare activities to implement the message of Nirankari Babaji, “Life gets a meaning, if it is lived for others.”
To accommodate a large numbers of donors, the South Carolina drives were held in five different Walmarts: Simpsonville, Greer, on Woodruff Road, Easley, and Seneca. Altogether, 128 units of blood were collected.
The four drives around Atlanta were held at Walmarts and a Kroger: on Windward Parkway-Alpharetta, Atlanta Highway, Cumming, and Dacula. About 120 units of blood were collected. Saints from different branches such as Florida, Chicago, and North Carolina came to volunteer, and a few also gave blood.
People from all walks of life donated and were introduced to the Mission’s philosophy and ideals of Peace, Love, and Tolerance. Volunteers from age five to eighty-five showed enthusiasm and dedication, working hard to get bystanders to come and donate. Donors were provided with juice, water, granola bars, and potato puffs.
The Blood Connection team truly appreciated the volunteers and donors and the humanitarian work done by Sant Nirankari Mission and has already booked the Mission for next year to organize more blood drives in additional locations.
The presence of Rev. Harlivleen Bajwa, executive member, Social and Welfare Department, was a highlight at the event in South Carolina. The blood drives in Atlanta were blessed by a special appearance of Rev. Gobind Singh, executive in charge of Social and Welfare Department and Publication and Rev. Meena Singh.
All the saints were grateful to Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev ji for her blessings and teachings of working shoulder to shoulder, and they look forward to next year to serve with humility and share our resources to heal, enrich, and empower millions around the globe.
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