Eager to compare and share his success with his friends, Vedant Patel excitedly arrived early to submit all the donations he had diligently collected over the past month. Along with his peers, Kalp Soni supported his friends and family with encouragement and reminders to raise money and awareness about the community involvement of BAPS Charities.

Rucha Dave is just one of 525 community members who supported the annual BAPS Charities’ Walk Green 2017 walkathon in Lowell, MA on June 10th. Building off an existing relationship with The Nature Conservancy, this year’s walkathon had participants of all ages come out and support the Nature Conservancy and its Plant a Billion Trees campaign.  The Nature Conservancy’s efforts focus on protecting habitats and preserving biodiversity across the world. Its current campaign aims to plant one billion trees by 2025 to which BAPS Charities contributed $100,000 to plant 70,000 trees in 2016.  In addition to targeted conservation efforts, The Nature Conservancy also invests in research related to conservation and climate change to drive international efforts.

Additionally, with a firm belief to think globally, act locally, this year’s BAPS Charities Walkathon also supported Joseph McAvinnue Elementary School.

Through the efforts of BAPS Charities’ volunteer base, who come together to participate in service projects throughout the year, Nancy Patel and Radhika Chaudhary's hard work not only inspires his friends but encourages participants of all ages to get involved in BAPS Charities initiatives.

“Participating in the BAPS Charities Walkathon is a tradition for my family.  Every year we come together and use the opportunity to teach our children about the various causes that BAPS Charities supports," said Sheetal Brambhatt of Chelmsford, MA.

"BAPS Charities activities reinforce the importance of serving others, raising awareness about important causes, and this year, protecting the planet,” said Dr. Chitrang Patel, a participant in the day’s activities.

BAPS Charities uses these opportunities to instill a spirit of service and commitment to preservation and environmental responsibility in community members. Through participation in events and fundraising activities like the walkathon, participants are actively engaged in conversations and actions around sustainability and conservation, becoming owners rather than bystanders.

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About BAPS Charities

BAPS Charities is a global charity active in nine countries across five continents. Volunteers drive its efforts, dedicating a portion of their lives in selfless service of others, both in their local neighborhoods as well as globally. Working in five key areas, BAPS Charities aims to express a spirit of selfless service through Health Awareness, Educational Services, Humanitarian Relief, Environmental Protection & Preservation and Community Empowerment. From organizing Walkathons that raise funds for local and global needs, to supporting humanitarian relief in times of urgent need; from hosting community health fairs to sustaining hospitals and schools in developing countries, BAPS Charities provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to serve locally and globally.