The Greater Springfield Interfaith Association had presented the Asian Indian Women’s Organization, which is also a supporter of local agencies through its “India Night” fundraiser, with the Humanitarian of the Year award.
The award was given virtually at GSIA’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to GSIA’s nomination criteria, the winner is chosen for “service to those in human need in the community”.
GSIA president Dan Frachey highlighted the fact that the organization has raised over a half-million dollars in causes like HSHS St. John’s Imagine Tomorrow Campaign for the renovation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, Mercy Communities and The Outlet.
On the Breath for India campaign, the organization teamed with the Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield and India Association of Greater Springfield, earlier this year. In collaboration with Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, the three groups worked to raise money to provide 5-litre oxygen concentrators to COVID-19 patients.
Aruna Mathur, the founder and board chair and Rambha Chaudhary, its past president, accepted the award.
“Since being founded 30 years ago, (the Asian Indian Women’s Organization) believes in promoting member involvement in the larger Springfield area by dedicating themselves to assisting non-profit organizations that serve the local community,” Frachey said. “Their goal is to be more active in civic engagement and increase the social network among communities.”
Speaking on the theme of “connectedness” were Dr Dharmendra Nimavat, representing the Hindu community, Larry Golden, one of the founders of the Illinois Innocence Project and professor emeritus of legal and political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, Sadieka Qadeem from the Muslim community and Shauna Summers, from the Native American community.
GISA is a group of ministry leaders who seek better dialogue while responding to community needs and was founded more than 40 years ago.
Khoran Readus and Sunshine Clemons, who organised the Springfield Chapter of Black Lives Matter in 2016, were presented with this award last year.
