FCN Day-Evening of Fellowship and Thanksgiving

Chicago IL: Dr. Geetha and Tom Chitta and FCN Board of Directors invited all to come and enjoy an evening of Fellowship and Thanksgiving on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 5:30 pm at St. James Parish Center 820 N. Arlington Heights Road Arlington Heights, IL. It was a delightful and appreciative gathering of about 200. It was the 12th anniversary and was an appreciation dinner for all the Donors and Well-Wishers of FCN.

Dignitaries present were elite group of persons including Mr. Edwin Rondan, Director, and Mrs. Christina Aranda, Mission appeal Coordinator, from the Office for Mission Education and Animation for the Archdiocese of Chicago and Father Matt Foley, Pastor were honored.

Foundation for Children in Need (FCN) was founded by Dr. Geetha Yeruva and Tom Chitta in 2002 in Arlington Heights, IL. The couple has dedicated 12 years of their lives to educate Children, college students, conduct health education and mobile clinics. Mother Teresa is the inspiration of Dr. Geetha who is a physician herself, provides primary health care and medicines on behalf of FCN. Teenage girls are given workshops on health, hygiene and family life and are provided with a book on “women’s health.

The main focus of FCN is to give educational help through sponsorship program for school children and college students who are struggling to continue their education. They try to help those who are neglected and have less opportunity. Today FCN is sponsoring 2200 children and college students.

Jo Anne Mullen-Muhr, Board member welcomed the guests and admired the work of FCN that she has personally experienced in India. Twelve minutes DVD was shown highlighting the work of FCN for the under privileged.

Co-Founder and President Dr. Geetha Yeruva thanked all and shared the vision of FCN.

Father Bill Zavaski gave encouraging speech and overwhelmingly appreciated the work of FCN and wished FCN activities to flourish. He announced about the award that Tom and Geetha will receive on July 3rd in Philadelphia from the American Telugu Association (ATA) for the best community service.

“Effective work of FCN having sponsored Children who communicate regularly about their progress and achievements which touches the heart of everyone who sponsors and have feelings of being rewarded multiple times and satisfaction of doing good to society in right manner”. Said Mary Schoenbeck.

Father Matt Foley, Pastor of St. James Parish, home of FCN said that “gift of education is important to build a nation and praised the work of FCN”. He invoked blessings over food.

Ken Overholt, CPA, Chairman and financial advisor of the Board descried how efficiently the donations are spent and the programs monitored.

Les Miller, legal advisor informed the audience about how strictly FCN follows all the laws.

Father Ed Cronin shared about his visit to India and how effective is the presence and work of FCN in India.

Srinivas Pedamallu, President of Telugu Association of Greater Chicago was a special guest who appreciated the work of FCN and thanked all the sponsors for reaching out to the needy in India. He assured the support of TAGC.

Vote of Thanks: Tom Chitta, Co-founder thanked all the sponsors of FCN and especially, St. James Parish, Peoples Bank of Arlington Heights, Vishnu Vilas restaurant in Schaumburg and Manpasand restaurant in Arlington Heights.
Acknowledgements: Lisa and Jack White, Ellin Baranowski and families; Pat and Nancy Moroney; Brian and Mary Jo Reynolds; John Hughes and Dr. Jack Houlihan.

Through this “FCN Day,” Tom and Geetha and the Board of Directors of FCN expressed their gratitude to God, to all Sponsors, Donors and Well-Wishers who have been supporting the service of FCN. This evening was a celebration of fellowship for all FCN supporters. This also provided an opportunity to meet Tom and Geetha in person, to gain an understanding of the various activities of FCN, and to meet other sponsors.

After dinner, there was time for fellowship, and the music of several local musicians was top off the evening.

FCN Board of Directors:
Dr. Geetha Yeruva; President/Cofounder- Ken Overholt Chairman/Financial Advisor- Pam Hargett Secretary- Marie McIntosh Treasurer-Tom McQuillan Director- Jo Anne Mullen-Muhr Director and Father Ed Cronin, Director.

About FCN:
Dr. Geetha Yeruva and Tom Chitta are cofounders of Foundation for Children in Need (FCN) a not-for-profit organization established in the US and in India 12 years ago. The work that FCN does is noble, direct and transparent. FCN provides sponsorship to 2200 needy students in India and assistance to the elderly and medical care for village people who often lack access to hospitals. Each year more than 3000 dictionaries and thousands of notebooks are distributed to the deserving students. Equal number of clothing is distributed to the needy. School supplies and library books are provided to many village schools. Dr. Geetha conducts health education classes for teenage girls and provides them a book on “women’s health”. 20 women are given training in tailoring and embroidery and awarded with a sewing machine. For more information please visit: www.fcn-usa.org and www.fcnindia.org