Guru Puja Divas is a very auspicious occasion for all the
followers of the Sant Nirankari Mission. Saints look forward
to celebrating this occasion as it marks the birthday of our
beloved Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. Special
programs and celebrations are held all over the world to
seek blessings from His Holiness on this special day.
The Sant Nirankari Mandal in Canada organized their
Annual Food and Clothes Drive to celebrate the day. The
drive was a national undertaking and the food and clothing
was donated to the different branches of the Salvation Army,
a non-governmental group providing social services in
Canada. The representatives from Salvation Army appreciated
Sant Nirankari Mission for the large volume of donations. It
was almost double from the last year when this initiative
was first started as per the blessings from His Holiness.
In Toronto, with the blessings a food and clothing drive was
organized in the month of February. This year the members of
Toronto congregation donated more than 10,000 pounds of food
items and clothes. There was great enthusiasm among saints from
all age groups. They spent countless hours sorting out and
packing the items collected during last couple of weeks. In his
letter to the Toronto Sant Nirankari Mission, Gordon Randal,
supervisor for The Salvation Army Brampton Family and Community
Services, thanked the generous donation made by the members of
the mission. He further thanked the sewadal for their assistance
in loading the food and clothing in a quick and coordinated
effort.
Other centers around Canada also engaged in the drive with
devotion and dedication. In Vancouver, all the saints donated
food items with open hearts and over 300 items were collected.
With many thanks, Major Ken Ritson a representative from the
Salvation Army came to the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan to pick up
the donated items. In Mission/Abbotsford branch of Sant
Nirankari Mission members made all efforts to collect the food
for the drive. On February 27, 2010 Mr. Michael of Salvation
Army came to the congregation to collect the food. He thanked
the efforts made by Sant Nirankari Mission for the service to
humanity being done. Their efforts produced 600 pounds of food
for the collection. Edmonton and Montreal branches also held
food and clothing drives at their respecting bhawans.
Montreal Sadh Sangat generously donated food and clothing to
the victims of the Haiti Earthquake disaster. With over 85% of
the Canadian Haitian population residing in Montreal, it was
decided to donate food and clothing to the local Haitian
community, who will in turn donate the food and clothing to
victims of the earthquake. Over 75 boxes of food and clothing
was donated to the Haitian Community Center. The center was
very touched by the saints show of love, generosity, enthusiasm
and commitment to helping their community in their time of need.
On March 7, 2010, with the Divine blessings of His Holiness
the Calgary Branch of the Sant Nirankari Mission also donated
non-perishable food items to Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.
Additionally, the saints also donated $1100.00 to
purchase non-perishable food items. The food industry
coordinator of Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, Heidi Lambi, was
very impressed with the collection and grateful for the
donation. She also shared ideas with the saints on how they can
collect on a larger scale within the city in upcoming years.
Furthermore, the saints were invited to visit the interfaith
food bank and the saints were given a guided tour on how the
packaging is done and what procedures they follow. They
offered the younger saints a tour which helped them understand
what happens next after the food is donated.
In one way this national effort was also a continuation of
the spirit of giving from last month when saints contributed
very generously to the relief fund for the earthquake victims in
Haiti. This truly reflects the values that our mission stands
for such as love, kindness and service to mankind.
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