Volunteers Honored at Appreciation Lunch

The event took place at the community center on Saturday afternoon. Organizers presented certificates to 45 volunteers who contributed more than 1,000 combined hours over the past year.

Among those honored were retired teacher Meera Patel, who led the after-school tutoring program, and college student Arjun Singh, who coordinated the weekend food drive. Both received special recognition for their leadership.

The lunch was catered by a local Indian restaurant, with attendees enjoying samosas, biryani, and gulab jamun. The community center director thanked the volunteers for their dedication, noting that their efforts had directly benefited over 200 families in the area.

Volunteer coordinator Priya Sharma said the turnout was the largest in the event's five-year history. She encouraged others to get involved, highlighting upcoming projects including a cultural festival and a senior citizen outreach program.