“Los Angeles Mission breaks the cycle of homelessness and poverty by stabilizing people in a safe and spiritual environment, connecting them to solutions, and walking with them on their journey.” This is the goal that the organization LA Mission constantly strives to achieve by providing warm meals and safe shelters to those who are less fortunate, as well as guiding them through both a physical and spiritual transformation. They constantly change the lives of many people in the bustling city of Los Angeles, where many struggle to raise their families in poverty. On December 19, 2025, LA Mission hosted a large event, through which they spread the Holiday spirit amongst numerous families in LA. The children were given some beautiful gifts – toys, food, and clothes – making it seem as if Santa’s workshop was brought straight to the children!
Hari Om, I am a first-year Yuva Kendra student at Chinmaya Mission, Srividya Medavarapu, and I attended the LA mission’s annual toy drive event. Chinmaya Mission has been proudly partnering with LA Mission for the past 10 years. It is gratifying to wrap up the year with this Seva. Attending this event in person teaches countless values that cannot simply be obtained through reading or teachings, but rather from physically doing good deeds ourselves through selfless Seva. The experience teaches one the value of doing seva – or selfless and meaningful service.
Chinmaya Mission teaches students and parents about spiritual awakening and connection, demonstrating the true value of seva and the importance of not expecting anything in return for it. It is difficult to grasp the concept of “giving without receiving" until one feels for themselves how rewarding it is to pay it forward to people who truly need it. Sadly, people do not get to choose the life situation that they are born into, whether it is poverty or extreme wealth. The second we become fortunate in life, it is not just ours to own but our duty to share it with the community.
The people gathered together on that day took it upon themselves to spread the holiday spirit to as many people as possible. Their efforts helped make it a memorable holiday season for plenty of LA families. According to CBS news, the event was attended by about 3000 people.
At Chinmaya Mission, we are extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of such an important event each year. Donating presents, handing them to children, and watching their faces light up when they see their dream toy is the most meaningful gift that we can receive. Knowing that the collective efforts of the staff, Chinmaya Mission families, and many volunteers made a child’s Christmas so memorable is such a valuable and gratifying memory. We thank all the kind hearts who supported this cause by donating their money or brand-new toys. In addition, we would like to express our gratitude to the LA Mission and the generous volunteers with whom we were able to work alongside for donating their precious time. This toy drive will always be an experience for me to remember as a student, and I am eagerly awaiting my next opportunity to return to LA Mission to do further Seva in the community.
Our Sincere Pranams, gratitude, and heartfelt thanks to Swami Ishwarananda for all his guidance, which has led to many such Seva opportunities and helped us learn Vedanta through Karma Yoga.
You can see more pictures here.
- Srividya Medavarapu
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