Sarita Chauhan talks about the rewards of volunteer work

Sarita Chauhan, a long term resident of Reston, VA is deeply involved in her local community. Just a weekend ago, she was seen volunteering behind a concession stand, serving popcorn and cotton candy to the visitors at the Reston Spring Festival.

We asked her some questions about her volunteer work around the Reston community.

You are often spotted at the senior living centre Hunters Woods Fellowship House, chatting with the residents. What motivates you to spend so much time with the elderly?

I like talking to senior citizens; they have so many great stories to tell. They have so much great wisdom to impart as well that I never get tired of spending time with them.

Talking to and showing interest in seniors is a simple way to help make them feel acknowledged and respected in the final stages of their life and its easy once you realise how much you can learn from them!

You do a great deal of community work, what drives you?

I want to fill every day with that feel-good spark that comes from making the world a better place. I keep my philanthropy super simple and commit to doing one act of kindness every day.

Sarita will be on the panel of judges for the Annual Miss India DC Pageant which is held in August.

Could you tell us more about the Miss India DC Pageant and its purpose?

The purpose of this show is to provide the younger generation a platform to showcase their talents and an opportunity to participate in something culturally enriching. While working as a judge I also act as one of the mentors for the participants.

Sarita also does virtual volunteering for Taproot Founding (writing policies, making powerpoint presentations, creating employee hand-books etc.) for start-up non-profits organizations.

Could you elaborate on how you started virtual volunteering and what kind of skills it requires?

I wanted to help but it is not always possible to be physically present. Virtual volunteering is simply being able to help without leaving your home, over the internet.

For example, non-profit start-ups often have the need to put policies and procedures in place, since I do it for a living; it just comes naturally to me. There are several websites that have these virtual volunteering opportunities. I have created employee handbooks, new hire orientation, fund-raising presentations and more.

What advice would you give people who want to do volunteer work but struggle stay committed?

People should pick a cause that is important to them, that motivates them. If you cannot connect to the cause it will not be as motivating.

One of the most profound moments for me was in India. I was visiting India and was strictly instructed by my mom to not eat street food (I did it anyways, sorry mom). A very old man sat under this big oak tree, with few other people around him. He was brewing tea in huge tea pot and selling tea to the other people sitting under the tree. I went and sat under the tree as well, and as he handed out tea in the little clay tea-cups, he gave one to me too.

Everyone paid him, I think it was a rupee per cup, I also took out one rupee and gave it to him, he gave it right back to me saying that he didn’t take money from his daughters. That was the moment that I felt if someone so poor can be so charitable, why can’t we all be?

One just has to feel it from the heart. Once you feel it within you, it is easy to stay committed.

With all of this volunteer work, do you enjoy your day job?

I love my work to the extent that it does not even feel like work to me, more like a hobby. I work for a federal government contractor based out of Reston, VA.

In your opinion, how can people change their approach so that they give more and take less from life?

I think as human beings we are all compassionate and want to help others in need. Charity comes in many forms, one does not necessarily need to commit to donate to a charitable organization, even a $5 given to a homeless person counts or recycle. Every little thing counts.

Sarita Chauhan can be reached via Twitter and LinkedIn

Christian Woods
Christian Woods
Christian is a morning reporter and technology columnist for Best in Australia. Christian has worked in the media since 2000, in a range of locations. He joined Best in Australia in 2018, and began working in Melbourne in 2019.
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