By Neha Sampat, Founder and CEO at Contentstack
This piece is shared as part of Pledge 1%’s #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, which highlights how Pledge 1% members and the business community are coming together as a force for good to combat COVID-19.
With the global pandemic of COVID-19, communities and economies everywhere are facing an unprecedented challenge, but we are also experiencing solidarity and support like never before. Some people are staying home to keep loved ones safe and to slow the spread of this vicious virus. Others with essential roles like grocers, farmers, healthcare workers, and public officials are risking exposure to care for their communities and our loved ones. For their dedication, we are unwaveringly grateful.
In the community of Vasai-Virar, where the engineering hubs for Contentstack and Raw Engineering are based, we are faced with a unique challenge to local Indian communities. Many workers are stranded far from their homes without the luxury or privilege of being sheltered safe with their families. They are fighting this pandemic without food or shelter, and in some cases, without access to proper healthcare. Necessity forces many to work, risking exposure – just to be able to feed themselves or their families.
We are seizing the moment to give back directly to the Vasai-Virar region, who has given us so much opportunity over the last decade. Raising funds in this part of the town is not easy, so we are asking everyone to come together and contribute what you can to support this community now.
The founders of Contentstack and Raw Engineering are working with a trusted local organization with a goal to raise 1 Crore (approximately $140,000 USD) in the coming weeks, including a $70,000 match from the two of us. The organization is called Vishnu Waman Thakur Charitable Trust and they are actively feeding 3.5 lakhs families (approximately 1.5 million people) today. The Trust has also committed to providing PPE and additional facilities for overrun health institutions for the isolation and care of COVID-19 patients. Every rupee will go to a good cause and support COVID relief in the Vasai-Virar area. Please contribute what you can and thank you for your generosity.
You can either:
- If you are in the US or Europe, please contribute through GoFundMe.
- If you are based in India, please contribute through Milaap. Any amount donated through Milaap is eligible for tax exemption (for donors based in India).
Thank you, and please stay safe.
