Vishnu Mandir and the Bharati Dane Academy collect Flip Flops for the Philippines
On Sunday, November 24, 2013 Deputy Inspector Andy Johnson and Community Affairs Police Officer Jay Sturdivant collected 500 pairs of footwear at the Vishnu Mandir Hindu Temple.
Through a collective effort with the Bharati Dance Academy, Members took part in a donation drive “Flip Flops for the PhilippinesFlip Flops for the Philippines” to collect flip flops and shoes for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines on Friday, November 8, 2013 which took the lives of 5,235 individuals with a further 1,613 missing.
“The Vishnu Mandir and the Bharati Dance Academy are honored to lend a helping hand to this cause and because of DI Johnson and Officer Sturdivant we are able to be a part of this collection. I know that our small donation of footwear will definitely go a long way to the individuals wearing them and trying to be on their feet and road to recovery in the Philippines,” said Coordinator, Bharati Kemraj. “I am glad that I heard the calling at the Community Board 11 Meeting and got Members of the Hindu Temple to help out,” she added.
“Having DI Johnson and PO Sturdivant here speaking to our Devotees and collecting the boxes themselves means a lot. It shows care and we are thankful for everything that our NYPD Team does on a daily basis,” says Pandit Vishnu Sukul, Leader at the Vishnu Mandir Hindu Temple. “We pray for the families in the Philippines and we offer our condolences to those who lost loved ones,” Sukul added as he reached over and assisted a youth trying to lift a small box into the NYPD Van.
As of this weekend, the death toll from Typhoon Haiyan reached 5,235 with a further 1,613 missing. For more information about Flip Flops for the Philippines or to donate, contact Community Affairs at (718) 918-2025 or the 49thPrecinct at (718) 918-2000.
Organizers: Deputy Inspector Andy Johnson, 49th Police Precinct and Police Officer Jay Sturdivant of Community Affairs
Sponsors: The Vishnu Mandir & the Bharati Dance Academy
Event Coordinator: Bharati S. Kemraj
Publicist: Chandra Sukul
Photo Credit: Shanti Mangar
Special Thanks: Pandit Vishnu, Pandit Vyaas, Pandit Krishna and Chandra Sukul; Navin Singh and all Members
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