Posted on October 20th, 2024 by Anoushka Puri

This past October 16th, we had the incredible opportunity of organizing a Diwali-themed fundraising event at the Toronto office of ARUP, a global AEC firm. The festival of lights not only brought joy and warmth to the office but also served a greater cause—raising funds for Shelter Associates, a non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding slum settlements in India.

Themed around Diwali, the event featured a vibrant celebration complete with delicious Indian food, stalls selling traditional items, and an interactive diya-painting station. The event planning team at the office sponsored the catering, which helped draw in a large crowd eager to participate in the festivities. The food, ranging from samosas to a variety of Indian dishes, was a hit with everyone who attended!

The stall featured handmade items such as diyas (traditional oil clay lamps), rangolis (floor decoration), and mehndi (henna cones) sourced directly from India and difficult to find locally and drew significant interest. These beautifully crafted products allowed people to take a piece of Diwali home with them while contributing to an important cause. The diya-painting station became an especially popular activity, giving everyone a chance to unleash their creativity. We also set up a video display showcasing the impactful work of Shelter Associates in India, offering everyone an inspiring glimpse into how their contributions will support the ongoing projects and initiatives by the NPO.

Through the collective efforts of the colleagues and the wonderful support from ARUP, we managed to raise a total of ₹1,00,000. What also made this event truly special was the sense of community and purpose it brought to the office. Diwali is a time to spread light, and I’m so grateful that we could do just that, not only in our office but in the lives of those who will benefit from these funds.

A special thanks to Maggie MacPhie and Prashant Joshi from ARUP for their amazing efforts towards setting up the stall and keeping everyone engaged throughout the event. And to everyone who supported this initiative, your contributions truly made a difference!