We Got It!

It’s in! Again….Congratulations to Everyone!

25 Seconds Could Raise $25,000 for the Sikh Youth

3 clicks are all it takes.  JPMorgan Chase Bank partnered up with Facebook to have sort of an “American Idol” of charity giving.  The 100 charities with the most votes by December 10th will receive $25,000.

VOTE FOR THE JAKARA MOVEMENT BY CLICKING HERE!

There are a great number of Sikh charities that are participating.  The Jakara Movement has the most votes for the Sikh groups – and needs your support to bring $25,000 to our community to support projects by the Sikh youth.  This weekend alone, the Jakara Movement had 6 events.  There were 5 camps, titled, “A Nation Never Forgets” that were hosted in Los Angeles, Turlock, Stockton, Yuba City, and Orange County.  Here are some pictures from just one.

In the Bay Area, the Jakara Movement helped host the forum “Women and 1984”, bringing scholars and activists such as Cynthia Keppley Mahmood (author of Fighting for Faith and Nation and a champion for human rights), Navkiran Kaur Khalra (daughter of the late Shaheed for human rights, Jaswant Singh Khalra), and Jasmine Kaur (a human rights lawyer and member of ENSAAF).

To keep programs, like this going – WE NEED YOUR HELP.  We are asking for ALL Sikhs – whether in the US, UK, Canada, India, Punjab, Malaysia, Australia, Africa, and beyond to rally around the Sikh organizations and provide your support.  Get your non-Sikh friends to vote too!

Log into Facebook and click HERE to vote for the JAKARA MOVEMENT.  And with your 20 votes, do not forget to vote for other great Sikh organizations (ENSAAF, SALDEF, and many others) too.  Inspire and be inspired; together, we are the movement.

Please forward and circulate this widely.  We Need the Entire Community to Rally Behind the Sikh Youth!

Jakara Movement at NASMDA

This past weekend the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association (NASMDA) held their 17th annual conference in San Diego, CA.  The organization’s website provides a brief description:

Started in the summer of 1992 at Poncos, Pennsylvania, NASMDA has grown to an organization of over 1000 Sikh medical and dental professionals spread across North America. NASMDA strives to provide a platform for Sikh medical and dental professionals to network and interact with each other while promoting the ideals and the mission of Guru Nanak. The members of NASMDA have been actively involved with helping out and supporting various Sikh organizations, young medical students and physicians.[link]

NASMDA provides a platform for Sikhs of various ages to engage in medical exchanges as well as be briefed by various organizations that presented.  Members of the Jakara Movement made one such presentation.

We have to admit that we were were showered with love and it was really the Guru’s Kirpa that our efforts were received with such kindness.  Over $5,000 were collected to help continue to promote Sikhi in California.  We hope to continue our relationship with NASMDA in the future.  Together, we can inspire and be inspired.  Together, we are the movement.

Firework Fundraiser 2009 Wrap-Up

This year we sold $16,000 in fireworks!  We came close to our 2008 record.  While our take home is about 33% of the total sales, we want to send a special thank you to all the volunteers and supporters of the Firework Fundraising effort.  They are the ones that keep the entire organization afloat.  A sincere thanks to all of them and a special thanks to the nameless few (those at the booth know who they are) that do the back-breaking work in 105 degree weather for the greater cause and oversee that it all works together.

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Funding the Jakara Movement

Although we get some community support, our major funding comes from the hardwork of volunteers.  It is their sweat and toil that keeps this movement going.  From carwashes, to fireworks, to even food vendors at sporting events the Jakara Movement does it all.

Our largest fundraising is our annual fireworks sales.  It is grueling work in the hot sun.  This year our firework stand is located in Fresno at the north-west corner of Cornelia and Shields.  We need your help!

• If you are from Fresno and will be buying fireworks – buy from us and get all of your friends, family, and co-workers to buy from us as well.  Also come and volunteer over the weekend!  Friday evening and all day Saturday (July 4th) will be a HUGE rush.  We need your help!
• If you are from Fresno and will not be buying fireworks – buy them anyways and get all of your friends, family, and co-workers to buy from us as well.  Also come and volunteer over the weekend!  Friday evening and all day Saturday (July 4th) will be a HUGE rush.  We need your help!
• If you are not from Fresno, and will be buying fireworks – contact us so we can arrange a sale and delivery.
• If you are not from Fresno, and will not be buying fireworks – leave some comments of support.

Support the Sikh youth!  To volunteer or purchase, contact us by calling 1-888-JAKARA-1 or email us at jakaramovement@gmail.com

Together, we are the movement.