Dear Friends,
We trust that you are safe and healthy and hope you are maintaining high spirits in the current challenging circumstances.
GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. ICCC has received a tremendous response to the “ICCC COVID-19 RELIEF FUND” initiative, highlighting the generous nature of our community. Donations and “in-kind” contributions are pouring in from the members of the Indo-Canadian Community Centre as well as members of the community engaged in ICCC’s programs. Congratulations and a warm Thank you from the ICCC President and Board of Directors to every one of the donors.
You will be delighted to know that the donations received to-date for the four selected charities (The Ottawa Hospital, Shepherds of Good Hope, Ottawa Food Bank and The Ottawa Mission) have surpassed $60,000. One of the ICCC Life Members has already remitted $36,907 to The Ottawa Hospital and the ICCC “Seva Group” members have donated $12,715 to the Shepherds of Good Hope. ICCC will periodically transfer the collected donations as designated by donors to the four selected charities.
In addition, the community has come forward with several “in-kind” contributions, which include stitching of face masks (‘one mask at a time’ initiative by Masks Unlimited led by Lovina Srivastava), Indian cuisine for frontline medical staff of The Ottawa Hospital (Civic and General campuses), support for seniors (weekly Virtual Zoom meetings and volunteer assistance), and individual aid and support to Indian students having particular needs. If you are aware of such students, please do reach out to us. We will put them in touch with generous community members.
In collaboration with other Indo-Canadian organizations (Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton, Yoga Canada, and others), we have circulated the ICCC call for COVID-19 Relief Funds to over 9000 contacts in the community. Fund-raising and COVID-19 pandemic support initiatives are under way in co-operation with the community members and associations.
The community has shown that we can all be of great support to one another during these challenging times. We appeal to you all to continue to provide generous support for the need of the hour. Please also share this information with your network to support this worthy cause.
Kindly visit the ICCC website: icccottawa.org for latest developments and additional information.
Please stay safe, healthy and in good spirits.
Kindest regards.
ICCC Board of Directors