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Community Corner

Sevathon Supports 40 Bay Area Nonprofits

Sunday's participation hit a new high with 2,100 in the third annual run/walkathon.

Volunteers gathered at the crack of dawn Sunday to set up for Sunnyvale’s third annual Sevathon at Baylands Park. Organized by the Indian Community Center in Milpitas, the run/walkathon—inspired by Gandhi’s walk for freedom in India—aimed to raise funds and awareness for over 40 Bay Area non-profit organizations. 

Participants chose which organization they want to support as well as the length of their run—5K, 10K, or half-marathon.

Started three years ago with about 120 participants, registration numbers hit about 2,100 this year, organizers said.

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At a symbolic torch–lighting ceremony before the 5K run, Raju Reddy, Sevathon chairman, announced that due to the Bay Area’s Sevathon success Chicago will hold its own on August 21.

Following the race water and snacks were provided along with live entertainment, most of which was South Asian dance performances by groups around the Bay Area.

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Satya Dixit, a Milpitas resident and volunteer for Sevathon calls himself a “universal volunteer” because he supports many non-profits in many ways. During Sevathon most of his time was spent energetically cheering and running beside those who were approaching the finish line. Dixit has run over 20 marathons, but is now unable to continue due to an injury he suffered last year. He doesn’t see the injury as a setback, though.

“I feel their energy in me—that gives me the motivation to do this forever and ever,” he said. “I get my run and at the same time I help other people. Wherever they see me (after), they say, ‘Oh you ran with the runners. That’s what helped me.’” 

Many non-profit partners had booths at the park with informational displays and pamphlets. The Cancer Institution Foundation, which has its U.S. chapter in Cupertino, participated in Sevathon because it supports health related and anti-cancer events, and wanted to raise awareness about preventative measures in the Indian community. 

The chapter’s main goal is to raise funds to support a hospital in Chennai, India, that provides free care to cancer patients as well as conducts research, but it also supports bone marrow drives with the Asian American Donor Program locally. Ethnicity is very important in finding a match for bone marrow, said volunteer Kannan Vairavan, and the organization hopes to raise awareness about this among the South Asian community.

“We are very low in the database for the Asian American program,” he said, “so we are encouraging people to go there and donate their samples.”

The event brought out all ages, including 72-year-old Ravi Chopra, a San Jose resident who not only placed second in the 5K run for his age group, but also performed with his dance troupe called “Jollywood.” The group, part of ICC, is comprised of those who are 65 and older who meet for hour-long weekly practices—twice a week when there’s an upcoming performance.

“Seniors performing with a little bit of energy at this age and stage,” he said. “I think it should better be appreciated because not everyone can do that.”

Subhashani Chandra, a senior citizen from Los Altos came to walk in the 5K for the third time because she supports the programs at the ICC, like the creative writing classes she attends and Gandhi Camp, a youth program inspired by Gandhi’s ascetic lifestyle.

“Right now my back is hurting,” she said. “But I will try. Even if I am not able to walk at least the support is there.”

Placing first among his age group in the 10K was Chinmay Gowdra, an 8-year-old from Cupertino who ran with his father, Satish.

What did Chinmay think when he saw the finish line? “That I was gonna win,” he said.

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