ST LOUIS: It was a resounding success. The Hindu Temple Capital Fundraising Kickoff Event on Saturday, September 29 helped raise in excess of $757,000 with pledges & donations, including Bal Vihar St. Louis commitment of $ 250,000 surpassing the goal for that day.
Fundraising committee had set a goal of $5 million for the community center and all other temple related projects. The time line for this goal is set at three years.
Naveen Tekwani started the program as Master of Ceremony. Classical dance about Lord Ganesha was the first in agenda, then Sharad Parikh, Chair of the fundraising committee showed slides about how the temple started its divine journey from 1998 and how it progressed in the last 15 years. He also explained about the upcoming community center project a model of which kept on display.
The program commenced with a classical dance. The kick off event showcased many entertainment programs from the kids in Balvihar and Hindu Temple Youth group. The younger generation which is raised in this country talked about their experience in the program called Generation 2.0. At the end of the program, temple manager Satish Babu was honored with standing ovation.
Preparations for upcoming Navarathri celebrations are in progress. Veena concert and lectures are arranged for next three weekends.
– Ashwin Patel
