The first South Jersey Gandhi Day of Service brought together more than 80 people from diverse backgrounds to the home of residents Anish and Kanchi Doshi on Oct. 6, a gathering to encourage meaningful connections and reflections on service.
The event began with an introduction by Kanchi, who emphasized the day’s theme of selfless service inspired by the teaching of India’s Mahatma Gandhi. Kanchi urged attendees to reflect on their roles in fostering compassion within their communities. Anish delivered a spoken word poem titled “Open Your Arms” that emphsizes the power of generosity.
Young talents from Voorhees also showcased their gifts at the gathering, starting with 7-year-old Simira Doshi, who performed her rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For,” reminding participants of the importance of friendship, kindness and support.
The day of service continued with speeches from other township youth, Tulsi Patel, Saachi Rajpal and Tejal Chheda. They shared personal stories about how service had impacted their lives and communities, reinforcing the notion that young people can be powerful catalysts for change.
Soham Chheda delivered an uplifting rap song called “Be the Change” to encourage attendees to make a difference in their communities. Anika Sandiliya followed that with “Rise Up,” which moved many to tears and evoked the emotional impact of the day as well as the connection between art and social change.
In addition to the artistic performances, the Gandhi Day of Service included a hands-on service project in which volunteers helped assemble more than 100 welcome bags for families of sick kids at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. Children also created hand-made cards for young patients.
The Doshis reflected on the motivation behind the day of service.
“Kanchi and I have always believed in the power of community and service,” Anish explained. “Gandhi’s message of selflessness and non-violence resonates deeply with us.”
His wife noted that while the couple had organized other projects, the day of service had special significance, paying tribute to Gandhi’s legacy and inspiring others to engage in meaningful service.
“We wanted to create an event where service was at the center,” Anish observed, adding that the couple spent weeks organizing the day. “Teaching both children and adults that small actions can lead to real change .. Hosting the event at our home naturally set a tone of intimacy and warmth.”
Among memorable moments on the day of service was when attendees wearing matching “Be the Change” shirts worked together on the welcome bags.
“Seeing people of all ages come together for a common cause was incredibly heartwarming,” Anish noted. “The diversity symbolized how kindness and compassion transcend differences.”
Looking to the future, Anish and Kanchi hope the Gandhi Day of Service will inspire ongoing community engagement.
“Our hope is that this event will serve as a catalyst for initiatives that promote kindness, generosity and collaboration,” Anish pointed out, emphasizing that first-hand experiences of service can ignite a desire in others to contribute meaningfully.
Plans for next year’s event are already underway, with the Doshis brainstorming ideas for collaboration with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and local food banks, and getting more youth to contribute to service projects.
Anish and Kanchi ended the inaugural day of service with a message to those who attended and those interested in future initiatives.
“To everyone who participated, thank you,” they said jointly. “You made the event impactful. For those who couldn’t attend, we hope to see you next year.
“Service enriches both those we help and ourselves.”
