Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), Chicago, marked a momentous day with its third annual Coat Drive. On a cold, snowy winter day, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) united in an extraordinary act of kindness, bringing light and hope to those who need it most. With hearts full of compassion and hands carrying warmth, FIA’s third annual Coat Drive delivered over 400 coats and blankets to shelters in Illinois, ensuring that hundreds will face this winter with comfort, dignity, and the knowledge that they are not alone.
Under the visionary and inspiring leadership of Founder Chairman Sunil Shah, President Pratibha Jairath, and President-Elect Anu Malhotra, the FIA Chicago successfully completed two impactful coat drives. Donations were delivered to Hesed House Shelter in Aurora, IL and the Humanitarian Service Project Shelter in Carol Stream, IL, both of which are beacons of hope for those battling poverty and homelessness. More than 400 jackets and blankets were donated by FIA to these two organizations, bringing warmth, hope, and upliftment to individuals and families during the challenging winter months. The procurement of these essential items was made possible through the dedication and efforts of Executive Vice President, Chandini Duvvuri, whose hard work ensured the success of this noble mission.
The day commenced at Hesed House Shelter, located in Aurora, IL, at 11:30 AM. Hesed House is a national model for ending homelessness – one person, one family at a time. Their mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and give people the chance to hope again. Volunteers gathered in unity, working together to unload donation boxes filled with coats and winter essentials for the shelter’s residents. The collaborative spirit was palpable, as every participant played a crucial role in ensuring the seamless delivery of these much-needed items. The entire coordination and support was provided by Karen Swandby (Director-Family Shelter).
The afternoon saw the team extending their outreach to the Humanitarian Service Project Shelter in Carol Stream, IL, at 4:00 PM. The Humanitarian Service Project (HSP) is dedicated to alleviating the burdens of poverty by providing food, clothing, and other necessities to senior citizens and families in need in DuPage and Kane counties. Their programs are designed to further their mission and provide much-needed services for their constituents. Once again, the collective effort and heartfelt determination of volunteers made it possible to provide warmth and comfort to those facing the harsh Midwest winter. FIA sincerely thanks Kristine Senne (Executive Director), Floyd Kettering (Co-Founder) and Bridget Dooley (Operations Coordinator) for making it all happen.
The Coat Drive was not just about distributing clothing; it was about fostering hope and building a brighter future for the underserved members of our community. “Together, we’re not just donating coats; we’re sharing kindness,” said Anu Malhotra (President Elect) of the FIA. To this Founder Chairman of FIA added “This was about sending a message: you are seen, you are cared for, and you are not forgotten. It was about wrapping people in love, one coat at a time.” In emotional voice Pratibha Jairath (President) said, “Proud that FIA came together and worked tirelessly in the wintery Chicago, and we successfully ensured many would be shielded from the biting cold.”
This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of Team FIA volunteers, who braved snowfall and heavy traffic to reach both venues. The dedicated team who donated, volunteered, and supported this noble cause included: Sunil Shah (Chairman), Pratibha Jairath (President), Anu Malhotra (President Elect), Annu Sidhu, Anu Khetarpal, Ashwini Mahajan, Bharat Malhotra, Chandini Duvvuri, Daljit Sabharwal, Dinesh Kapoor, Falguni Sukhadia, Harry Sidhu, Hitesh Gandhi, Manjoo Srivastava, Nilabh Dubey, Shelly Gupta, Vipul Srivastava, Virendar Gupta.
FIA would like to acknowledge the benevolent members who donated vital funds to procure the coats and blankets; Abir Maru Anu & Bharat Malhotra, Chandini Duvvuri, Daljit Sabarwal, Hemendra Shah , Jitendra Bulsara, Mahesh Kumar, Murugesh Kasilingam, Nache Mayuri, Naresh Shah, Nidhi Mishra, Prashant Mehta, Raj & Sonia Dhingra, Ramesh Punatar, Sharda Jain, Sheila Shah, Shirley, Sonia Luther, Sunil Shah.
The Federation of Indian Associations is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Indian diaspora and broader communities across the United States. Through its diverse initiatives, FIA fosters cultural integration, social responsibility, and humanitarian efforts, building a strong and united community.
