STAMFORD, CT (TIP):  The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Light, by supporting local charities in Stamford CT. Diwali is celebrated in India and the Indian Diaspora as a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. In the spirit of the celebration, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) invited the community and friends for Diwali Dinner with music and dance at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, CT, where it donated funds for the local charities. The charities receiving funds were Future 5 of Stamford (https://futurefive.org/) and the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Inc. (https://www.foodbanklfc.org/). Together, both organizations received $20,000 from GOPIO-CT. The checks were accepted by Future 5 Founder Clif McFeely and Food Bank’s Executive Director Kathleen Lombardo. Future 5 helps underprivileged students in the Stamford High School system. Future 5 envisions a world where all students can be part of a vibrant and supportive community and access the people and resources they need for college, career and life success. Future 5 believes in human potential. In particular, the potential for each and every young person who climbs the stairs to find success in life.

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County was originated in 1984 as a program of the Council of Churches and Synagogues. Today the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc., is a 501 (c) (3) charity organization serving in the lower Fairfield County’s primary hunger-relief organizations. It provides food to about 90 non-profit agencies and programs that serve low-income people in six town service area through bags of groceries and congregate meals. These include soup kitchens, food pantries, childcare programs, homeless shelters, senior centers, domestic violence safe houses, and rehabilitation programs. A special guest at the event was Ms. Yelena Klompus, Program Manager for English Language Learning (ELL), Citizenship & Cultural Programs at Stamford’s Public Library known as The Ferguson Library. The library is planning a Diwali program in cooperation with GOPIO-CT on Sunday, November 14th at 1.30 p.m. Klompus invited everyone to join the program

A music program organized by GOPIO Vice President Dr. Jaya Daptardar followed with singers from Connecticut and included Srini Gunupuru, Devangi Dharani, Div Pithadia, Dipti Haria and Sonali Joshi.

GOPIO-CT also announced that it will support one more local charity at a fundraiser at its Holiday Party in December.

“One of the objectives GOPIO is to support local community groups which do service to the larger society and GOPIO chapters have been doing a great job in that direction and GOPIO-CT in particular has been supporting several charities in Connecticut,” Said GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham who is the Founder and currently a Trustee of GOPIO-CT. Over the last 15 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.