Babu Tangewala
CHICAGO: Continuing the tradition of providing comfort and warmth to the needy and the homeless in the United States during this winter season, with the overwhelming support from dozens of Chapters, “the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) pointed out that thousands of people across the nation have benefitted from the generosity of AAPI members, ” Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI said.
For several years, AAPI at the national level and various Chapters at the state level have been jointly leading efforts to bring warmth and comfort into the lives of the needy across the United States. Launched in 2019, this noble initiative has now become an annual tradition of giving by AAPI to local communities. AAPI’s “Share The Warmth” project has donated thousands of blankets to the poor and the needy in several homeless shelters across the nation every year.
“We are immensely happy to state that our AAPI’s ‘SHARE THE WARMTH’ program has been highly successful this year,” said Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, Vice Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees and Chair, Share The Warmth program. “We had nearly 30 state Chapters of AAPI who participated in this program and helped about 3,000 homeless and other needy citizens, which is a commendable gesture.”
Dr. Lolabhattu pointed to the local Georgia Chapter, which jumped into action, distributing Blankets to those stranded and without power during this cold winter, in the aftermath of a devastating Tornado striking parts of Georgia state. “It was heartwarming to see how they greatly appreciated our timely help.” Praising the concerted efforts of several other AAPI Chapters, Dr. Lolabahhttu said
In a heart-warming gesture, led by Dr. Madhavi Gorusu, Director of Medical Oncology at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Hartford HealthCare, AAPI donated blankets to LifeStar, who in turn provided blankets to local EMS, the Hartford Hospital Emergency Department, and the Neighborhood Health team to hand out in the community.
“This has been a one-of-a-kind experience for the teams of physicians and young volunteers alike who have generously volunteered their time and resources to bring joy to the less fortunate. I want to thank all the State Chapter leaders for their commitment and their enthusiastic participation,” said Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of AAPI.
AAPI launched the “Share-A-Blanket” project during the holiday season in 2019 during the presidency of Dr. Suresh Reddy to bring warmth to the needy. Dr. Binod Sinha, founder President of NJ AAPI in New Jersey organized and conducted it successfully that year, and since then AAPI and local Chapters of AAPI hold it annually.
Dr. Kolli and Dr. Lolabhattu thanked ATG Tours for being the Grand sponsor of the program, and all the AAPI members for the help.
AAPI founded in 1982 is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing the interests of over 120,000 physicians of Indian origin. In addition to several programs in India, AAPI has been in the forefront, advocating for the interests of the medical fraternity and organizing regular CME programs, health & wellness events, and financial workshops for its members and outreach, public health education, and advocacy activities for the community both locally and internationally.
For more details and to join the Share-A-Blanket Drive in your state/community, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
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