DC Metro Sai Samsthan’s mission is to promote the philosophy of Shri Shirdi Saibaba. One of the famous teachings of Saibaba was “Service to Mankind is Service to God”. The volunteers of DCMSS are committed to this core principle of Service to Mankind. In this regard, we have actively participated at local, national, and global service events over the years providing much-needed assistance to the needy.
At the local level, the DCMSS members actively participate in donating sandwiches, milk cartons, nutritional bars, and other items every Thursday to Shepherds Table and Homeless Shelters in the area. DCMSS celebrates Martin Luther King Day as a service day and conducts a mega non-perishable food and sandwich drive to assist Manna Food Center and Shepherds Table, respectively. Through these mega food drives, each time Samsthan contributes over 1000 lbs of nonperishable food items to Manna Food Center. DCMSS has also initiated the Akshaypatra campaign at the temple encouraging the congregation to donate nonperishable food items throughout the year. Through these activities, our Samsthan is making an impact in addressing hunger in society. Apart from food drives, Samsthan also does cloth drives for the poor where we collect gently used clothes, box them, and deliver them to Salvation Army. To bring smiles to the face of young children, during holiday times, DCMSS have been initiating Toy drives collecting toys and distributing them to children in hospitals in the DC metro area like HSC Pediatric Center and National Children’s Hospital.
At the national level, DCMSS members came forward several times to assist during natural disasters and calamities. When the congregation members saw these natural disasters, they felt the need to assist the displaced. DCMSS contributed to Oklahoma disaster relief in May 2013 through American Red Cross and Louisiana Floods relief effort through a local Food Bank in Baton Rouge in September 2016 etc.
At the global level, DCMSS participated in collecting donations, clothes and sent them to Nepal Earth Quake victims in May 2015. DCMSS also collected and contributed donations to Vibha, an organization that builds schools in India. Recently DCMSS has called on the congregation for COVID relief efforts in India. This drive fetched $18,260.11 in a span of 1 week. This would not have been possible without the 192 donors coming forward to support this cause and donating amounts ranging from $10 to $1000. This feat is unparalleled in Samsthans history and we salute the donors for unconditional monetary support to help our Motherland citizens. During the past 1 week, the proceeds were made out to American Red Cross and in their acknowledgment, they mentioned that they will put it to use for India’s Covid-19 response. The American Red Cross’s mission is to alleviate human suffering in the face of extraordinary times by mobilizing the power of volunteers and providing critical service.
Through all these activities, DCMSS continues to practice Saibaba’s philosophy of Manava Seva is Madhava Seva, and Service to Humanity is the Service to God.
Kudos to the generosity of our donor base. The Samsthan wants to share our heartfelt thanks to each and every donor who contributed to these causes over the years.
Sarvae Jana Sukhino Bhavantu!
May Shri Sai Bless you and your family !
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