CRY Volunteer of the Year 2025

Pragya Sen – Austin

CRY Austin is honored to recognize Pragya Sen for her exceptional 8-year commitment to CRY. A true powerhouse of energy, her passion for child welfare has made her an invaluable champion for our mission.

Pragya’s impact extends well beyond the Austin Chapter; she has been an asset to the Houston team, frequently serving as a Gala Emcee/Volunteer and supporting initiatives like CRY Superstar and Antakshari.

Most notably, Pragya spent three years advocating for an Austin Gala. Her persistence and leadership finally brought the inaugural 2025 Gala to life. Despite significant volunteer shortages and logistical delays, she personally ensured a seamless execution. Thanks to her tireless effort, the event not only met but surpassed its goals. Simply put, this milestone would not have been achieved without her commitment.

Runner Up – CRY Walk Event of the Year 2025

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.

Khushi Agarwal – San Diego

CRY San Diego is thrilled to recognize Khushi Agarwal as their Volunteer of the Year. Khushi truly exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated volunteer. Her exceptional leadership in organizing the Dandiya celebrations and directing the kids’ dance group for Holi highlights her commitment and creativity. With her infectious enthusiasm, she uplifts everyone around her, fostering a vibrant and joyful community atmosphere. Khushi’s tireless efforts not only bring joy to participants but also strengthen community bonds. Honoring her would not only acknowledge her significant contributions but also inspire others to engage and make a difference in our community.

Chandana Challagulla – Phoenix

CRY Phoenix is proud to recognize Chandana Challagulla for her impactful 11-year legacy with Child Rights and You (CRY). As a founding member of the Phoenix CRY chapter core group, Chandana was a key architect of our local volunteer and sponsor infrastructure.

Her tenure is defined by her “boots-on-the-ground” leadership. She played a pivotal role in securing food sponsorships, often navigating the delicate task of managing sponsors with professionalism and tact. Her resilience was most evident during major events, where she defused tense situations during games and handled difficult personalities under pressure.

Whether mediating a conflict on the field during a CRY event, negotiating with a donor, or mentoring volunteers, Chandana always prioritized the mission over the noise. Her eleven years of selfless service have been the bedrock of the Phoenix chapter, making her an exemplary candidate for this award.

Arshia Lala – New Jersey

CRY NJ would like to recognize Arshia Lala as Volunteer of the Year. Arshia is a pivotal contributor to CRY America, raising over $5,000 in the last three years while consistently expanding our volunteer network. Her leadership is best demonstrated by her founding of the CRY America Women’s Cricket Tournament, an initiative that successfully merged athletics with advocacy to reach new donors and increase brand awareness.

Beyond signature events like the CRY Walk, Arshia serves as an essential operational partner. She works diligently behind the scenes, supporting other leaders in planning and execution to ensure collective success. Furthermore, she has strategically leveraged her organization, Girls in Democracy, to introduce CRY’s mission to new, diverse audiences.

Arshia does more than volunteer; she leads with initiative and creates measurable impact. Her dedication and ability to mobilize others make her an exceptional candidate for Volunteer of the Year.

Ashutosh Das – Los Angeles

CRY LA is pleased to recognize Ashutosh Das as LA’s Volunteer of the Year, Ashutosh is a driven and passionate individual whose dedication to making a difference is truly inspiring. Over the years, I have witnessed his unwavering commitment to personal growth and community service. He volunteers his time and skills with several non‑profit organizations, including Child Rights and You America, where his efforts have directly supported meaningful causes. His work with CRY America reflects his selflessness, leadership, and ability to bring people together for the greater good. Ashutosh approaches every responsibility with enthusiasm, integrity, and a genuine desire to create positive change. His passion for helping others, combined with his reliability and collaborative spirit, makes him an asset to any team or initiative.

Syon Mukherjee – Houston

CRY Houston would like to recognize Syon Mukherjee as Houston’s Volunteer of the Year. Syon has shown an exceptional ability to not just empathize with the many vulnerable children in India with little to no access to quality education and healthcare, but also to envision a path of positive action within his ability. His initiative and commitment to the cause have been inspiring to watch as he single-handedly raised over $2000 for the CRY Houston Walk. This is his first time volunteering with CRY and his dedication to the cause of underserved children has been inspiring. Syon is the perfect candidate for our Volunteer of the Year, he is self-motivated, educated about the mission and a wonderful role model for his peers.

Arpita and Arohan Pathak – Boston

CRY Boston would like to recognize Arpita Pathak and her son, Arohan Pathak, jointly for Boston ACs Volunteer of the Year (2025) award.

Arpita was instrumental in organizing the Boston CRY Walk this year. She was involved in all aspects of organizing and ensuring a successful event. She was instrumental in scouting out the venue, in spreading the word in the local community, fundraising, down to picking up the food from our food sponsor for the Walk. She is a community leader and a big help in our efforts.

Runner Up – CRY Action Center of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Action Center of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Action Center of the Year 2025

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.

Winner – CRY Action Center of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Student Chapter of the Year 2025

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.

Winner – CRY Student Chapter of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Event (Other) of the Year 2025

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.

Winner – CRY Event (Other) of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Holi Event of the Year 2025

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.

Winner – CRY Holi Event of the Year 2025

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.

Runner Up – CRY Walk Event of the Year 2025

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.

Winner – CRY Walk Event of the Year 2025

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.