ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GOPIO raises $5,000 for Person to Person charity
Community leaders, elected officials and GOPIO members attended the event, which opened with a universal prayer led by GOPIO-CT Secretary Sonali Gannu.
-
Rwittika Chakraborty
- Wed, 17, Dec 2025
- 04:14 EST
- 18
GOPIO-CT leaders present a $5,000 check to Person to Person representative Sarah Lippman. / GOPIO
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin–Connecticut Chapter raised $5,000 for Person to Person, a Darien-based charitable organization, during its annual holiday party on Dec. 7.
The fundraiser supported Person to Person’s work providing food, clothing, housing assistance and economic opportunity to families and individuals in need across Fairfield County, with branches in Stamford and Norwalk.
GOPIO-CT is a nonpartisan, secular civic and community service organization that promotes awareness of Indian culture and the contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums and youth activities.
Community leaders, elected officials and GOPIO members attended the event, which opened with a universal prayer led by GOPIO-CT Secretary Sonali Gannu. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling served as chief guest. Other dignitaries included Connecticut state Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and state Rep. Corey Paris.
Over the past decade, GOPIO-CT has supported 16 charities in southern Connecticut, including Future 5, Women’s Mentoring Network, Teach for America, the Children’s Learning Center and Dollars for Scholars. The chapter has also supported international causes, including the Society for Human and Environmental Development, which provides educational opportunities in rural Maharashtra, India.
During the event, GOPIO-CT presented a check to Person to Person Development and Salesforce Manager Sarah Lippman, along with another check to the Women’s Mentoring Network.
“GOPIO has always been supportive of our program in Stamford, which focuses on economic empowerment for single women and their families through employment and educational opportunities,” said Lana Gifas, executive director of the Women’s Mentoring Network.
The evening also included an oath-taking ceremony for GOPIO-CT’s newly elected leadership team. Mahesh Jhangiani was sworn in as president, with Sushanth Krishnamurthy as executive vice president, Sonali Gannu as vice president, Mirat Joshi as secretary, Srinivas Akarapu as treasurer, Nandu Kuppuswamy as board member for seminars, and Shelli Nichani and Prasad Chintalapudi as trustees.
In his welcome address, Jhangiani highlighted the chapter’s activities over the past year.
“GOPIO-CT has consistently provided cultural, educational, networking and charitable programs for our community, and we remain committed to expanding these efforts,” he said.
Joshi served as master of ceremonies. The program concluded with live music featuring Bollywood classics, followed by an Indian dinner and closing remarks by Krishnamurthy.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login