I consider myself privileged to serve in this role to make a difference in the lives of children who deserve it the most. Because I can! And what I can do, I will!
CRY’s unique rights based approach goes beyond charity and strengthens social structures that enable children to develop to their full potential. A lot has been done, but much more remains to be done.
The Houston Student Chapter came together to organize their first event, the CRY Walk, this year. Most members of the core group had volunteered at the Houston Gala earlier this year and creating the student chapter was a natural next step to level up their engagement with CRY. The parent-student model has proven to be quite successful, bringing in the energy and enthusiasm from the students and the logistical help from the adults. The Student group hit their fundraising target through their commitment and persistence. The student members have been successful in increasing their enrollment by opening CRY clubs in their schools and bringing more people into the fold. The core group left the event excited about different events that they could hold. We look forward to a new and energized chapter in Houston led by these inspiring, enthusiastic young people.
In 2025, Seattle AC volunteers successfully raised over $550,000. This is particularly remarkable given the significant challenges we faced, like relocation of key members and professional pressures on our tech volunteers. Despite frequent volunteer shortages, the team’s resilience allowed us to consistently find ways to succeed.
We are especially grateful for the initiative shown by our newer volunteers who stepped into critical leadership roles. Kalpana led Holi and established detailed documentation to streamline future events. Anushka managed every aspect of Uphaar, from planning to execution. Ajay and Varun secured record-breaking sponsorship levels, including an annual partnership with MSR. Pramila concluded the year with a successful Dandia event, coordinating with the Microsoft events team and recruiting co-workers to secure matching hours. Amruta managed our effective marketing team and Ramnik was our one-man finance team.
We organized two major events this year – Holi and Walk. Our Holi event was planned at short notice right after the LA wildfires and the community came together for the event. This year, other than having a short window to plan the event, the increasing number of free events in LA, makes it tough to draw a crowd. Despite being a small chapter as far as the number of volunteers is concerned, our passion and dedication to the cause keep us going. Our core team- Varnica, Andy, Sanjali, Meet and Manali gave countless hours to make every participant feel included. Their leadership and passion elevated this celebration into a cherished tradition the community now eagerly awaits each year.
The CRY Walk was the first initiative led by our youth chapter, Sanjali and her team took complete charge of the planning and organization of the event. The Youth Chapter looks forward to keeping the students committed and involved in the events they have planned for in 2026.
The Houston Student Chapter came together to organize their first event, the CRY Walk, this year. Most members of the core group had volunteered at the Houston Gala earlier this year and creating the student chapter was a natural next step to level up their engagement with CRY. The student members have been successful in increasing their enrollment by opening CRY clubs in their schools and bringing more people into the fold. The core group left the event excited about different events that they could hold. We look forward to a new and energized chapter in Houston who are actively planning for at least two more volunteer led events in 2026.
In 2025, the San Diego Chapter, together with the San Diego Youth Chapter, demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and meaningful community impact. We organized major events including Holi, Dandiya, and CRY Walk, along with 4–6 smaller youth-led events. Title sponsorships for Holi and Dandiya brought in a significant portion of the $86,876 raised. Holi attracted 1,400 attendees and Dandiya 1,200, reflecting the strong community support we mobilize as volunteers and participants. Through these events, we amplified CRY’s purpose and message, establishing CRY as a recognized brand in San Diego for classy, impactful events. From vibrant Kids Zones at Holi to cultural celebrations at Dandiya, our team excelled in planning and execution. By combining creativity, teamwork, and strategic engagement, the San Diego Chapter fostered meaningful impact, strengthened community connections, and exemplifies why we deserve the Chapter of the Year Award.
The CRY Los Angeles Youth Chapter was created in 2025 to turn awareness into action for children whose rights to education, safety and healthcare are often overlooked. Our initiatives included organizing CRY Walk LA and Winter Fest 2025, leading awareness booths at community events, with over 100 attendees, and coordinating donation drives that raised more than $3000 for underserved children. Beyond fundraising, we focused on education—helping our community understand why child labor, school dropout, and poor health persist, rather than treating them as isolated issues.
One of our biggest challenges was sustaining engagement while balancing school commitments and coordinating a team that grew to over 20 student volunteers. Through these challenges, the chapter evolved into a structured, driven organization capable of turning youth initiative into measurable social change.
Her Right to Learn isn’t just a chapter. It tells the story of how education is a lifeline for all children and especially girls in India. And girls are often denied it. The campaign was created to uncover the reality that millions of girls are kept out of school due to external factors. We began in September 2025 and through fundraising and awareness, the campaign supports CRY’s work in helping girls not only enroll in school but also stay in school. We, as the student board, recognize the privileges we have and understand how easily the opportunities we have can be taken for granted. This encourages us to do everything we can to ensure that girls in India receive the same opportunities. The issue of underprivileged girls in India has been a long-standing challenge, and it has even affected some of our own family members. Because of this, we feel a duty to help in any way possible.
CRY Seattle Dandia has grown into one of the region’s most vibrant cultural fundraisers, powered entirely by the passion and generosity of our volunteers. In 2025, their dedication transformed four evenings of music and dance into a powerful movement for children’s rights—raising nearly 100K (gross) to support underprivileged children across India. From coordinating logistics and engaging sponsors to managing food partners, photography, youth volunteers, and joyful guest experiences, our volunteers infused every detail with heart.
Their spirit created more than an event; they built a community. Families danced together, children learned the joy of giving, and attendees left inspired to stay connected and do more. CRY Seattle Dandia thrives because ordinary people choose to show up in extraordinary ways. Our volunteers are the reason this celebration continues to grow, uplift, and change lives.
The 3-day CRY Phoenix Volleyball Tournament was a huge success and a meaningful way to raise funds. The event brought together players, families, and community members for an event filled with teamwork, energy, and generosity. From organizing teams and schedules to setting up the courts and supporting players throughout the day, our volunteers played a vital role in making the tournament run smoothly. Their time, dedication, and positive spirit turned this event into more than just a competition—it became a true community effort for a great cause. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and support, the CRY Phoenix Volleyball Tournament raised valuable funds while creating lasting memories and strengthening community bonds. We are truly grateful to all the volunteers and participants who made this event a success.
CRY Seattle Holi 2025 was a true celebration of resilience, community and heart. Despite heavy rain through a big part of the day, our volunteers showed extraordinary dedication – arriving early, adapting on the fly, and ensuring the event ran smoothly no matter the weather. Their positivity and teamwork transformed challenging conditions into a powerful display of commitment.
Holi is about renewal and togetherness, and that spirit was evident as families gathered to celebrate while learning about CRY’s mission. Volunteers not only managed logistics, registrations, and outreach with care, but also stayed long after the event ended to complete an extensive cleanup, leaving the venue spotless.
Through rain-soaked clothes, muddy grounds, and long hours, our volunteers never wavered. Their selfless efforts turned Holi 2025 into a meaningful, mission-driven success and a testament to what a passionate team can achieve together.
The CRY San Diego team, along with the San Diego Youth Chapter, did an incredible job bringing the Holi event to life. The San Diego team organized the entire event from planning through execution, handling logistics, coordination, and overall flow to make sure everything ran smoothly. The Youth Chapter took full ownership of the Kids Zone, managing it from planning to execution and creating a fun, safe and engaging space for families. With around 1,400 attendees and nearly $37K raised, the impact was truly remarkable. The event was filled with exciting activities like bubble soccer, a 360 photo booth, the CRY photo booth, kids’ dance performances, corn hole, tug-of-war, and a DJ that kept the energy high. The presence of a city council member and an assembly member added special meaning to the day. Combined with beautiful sunny weather and a strong community turnout, it was a joyful and memorable celebration.
The San Diego Student Chapters did an amazing job planning and running the CRY Walk. They led weekly meetings with little need for oversight, showing strong ownership, teamwork, and leadership. All the High School chapters worked collaboratively to plan, problem-solve, and stay on track, which made everything run smoothly. They pushed and motivated each other to fundraise, reached out to their personal networks, and encouraged friends and family not only to donate but also to join the walk. On the day of the event, they organized fun and engaging activities that kept the energy high and the community involved. They raised about $7,000 while keeping expenses to just $1,000, showing how thoughtful and responsible they were. Their drive, teamwork, and impact truly make them winners.
CRY Walk NJ stands out for several compelling reasons. It was entirely designed and powered by 12 active parent-child volunteer teams. Students didn’t just participate—they conceptualized, planned, and executed every aspect. They recruited their dance teacher, Ekta Gupta, who brought a vibrant Bollywood theme and energizing Zumba workouts to the Walk.
Young volunteers like Kyra inspire others through their enthusiasm and commitment. Word of mouth spreads naturally when people see entire families engaged together, from elementary-aged children to their parents.
We have succeeded in creating powerful synergy by bringing CRYKET volunteers to support the Walk. This cross-pollination between our cricket and walk communities strengthens both initiatives and expands our volunteer network.
Our financial model is remarkably efficient. Operating expenses are minimal, covered entirely through sponsorships. Virtually every dollar raised goes directly to supporting underprivileged children in India.
This combination of family teams, youth leadership, cross-event collaboration, Bollywood energy, and financial transparency creates unforgettable impact.
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