GOPIO-Connecticut supports local charities for Diwali

November 4, 2021

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Photo left: GOPIO-CT presents a check to Future 5 Founder Clif McFeely and (photo right) to Food Bank’s Executive Director Kathleen Lombardo. Others in the photos are: GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT Vice President Dr. Jaya Daptardar’ and GOPIO-CT Exec. Vice President Prasad Chintalapudi. Photos: courtesy GOPIO-Connecticut

The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Light, by supporting local charities in Stamford CT.

In the spirit of the celebration, GOPIO invited the community for Diwali Dinner with music and dance at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, CT, where the donations were made to local charities – Future 5 of Stamford (https://futurefive.org/) and the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Inc. (https://www.foodbanklfc.org/).

GOPIO-CT officials with guests; from l. to r. Anita Mathur, Yashasvi Jhangiani, Viresh Sharma, Dr. thomas Abraham, Kathleen Lombardo, Yelena Klompus, Dr. Jaya Daptadar, Prasad Chintalapudi, Clif McFeely, Srinivas Akarapu and Joe Simon. Photo: courtesy GOPIO-Connecticut

Together, both organizations received $20,000 from GOPIO-CT. The checks were accepted by Future 5 Founder Clif McFeely and Food Bank’s Executive Director Kathleen Lombardo.

Future 5 helps underprivileged students in the Stamford High School system. The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County started in 1984 supports some 90 non-profit agencies and programs that serve low-income people in six town service area through bags of groceries and congregate meals.

A special guest at the event was Ms. Yelena Klompus, program manager for English Language Learning (ELL), Citizenship & Cultural Programs at Stamford’s Public Library known as The Ferguson Library. The library is planning a Diwali program in cooperation with GOPIO-CT on Sunday, November 14^th at 1.30 p.m. Klompus invited everyone to join the program

A music program organized by GOPIO Vice President Dr. Jaya Daptardar followed with singers from Connecticut and included Srini Gunupuru, Devangi Dharani, Div Pithadia, Dipti Haria and Sonali Joshi.