Fresno, California, December 13, 2017
The Fresno Chapter of the ‘We Are Sikhs’ campaign participated in the 19th Annual ‘Fresno Hells Angels Toy Run’ at Chukchansi Park Field and continued to break barriers between communities.
The National Sikh Campaign (NSC) launched in April 2017, has run on national cable TV as well at grassroots.
Indian Newslink carried an extensive report of this Campaign on Monday, December 11, 2017.
Helping the underprivileged
The Toy Run donates bicycles to underprivileged children. About 1000 bicycles, 200 more than last year, were collected, purchased and assembled by the ‘Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’ of Fresno and donated to children as a part of the following organisations: WestCare California, Inc, San Joaquin Valley Veterans, Fresno Housing Authority, Turning Point of Central California Inc, Jefferson Elementary, Fresno EOC Sanctuary and Youth Services, Angels of Grace Foster Family Agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California and Marjaree Mason Center.
Core Sikh Principles
Bill Singh Nijjer, said, “We are proud to be part of this endeavor We will continue to break barriers using the core principles of Sikhs of Kirit Karna (Work Hard and honestly) and Vand Shakna (Share with the less fortunate). We are a part of the community here in Fresno and we must stand with our neighbors.
Amritpal Singh said, “We are here as Sikhs of Guru Nanak, to serve those who are in need. As Americans and as Sikhs we must continue to serve our communities. We are very thankful for the overwhelming response from Fresno Sikh community to support ‘We Are Sikhs’ participation in this event.”
More Initiatives
Fresno Sikh community has taken similar initiatives to reach out to the wider community. NSC Fresno had also sponsored the fireworks on July 4 this year and Sikhs were praised universally in a town of a half million population.
There are about 50,000 Sikhs in Fresno and nearby areas.
The polls taken after the ad campaign in Fresno showed a significant positive perception of Sikhs; 59% of Fresno residents – a clear majority – said that they know at least something about Sikhs who live in America; 68% saw Sikhs as good neighbours and 64$ saw Sikhs as generous and kind.
The above was a Press Statement sent by Dr Rajwant Singh, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of the ‘National Sikh Campaign. He lives in Washington DC Metropolitan area.
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Photo Caption:
- The ‘We are Sikh Campaign’ was hugely successful in the United States of America
- A happy child gets to ride on a bicycle donated by California Sikhs
- Leaders and volunteers of the Sikh Community with the donated bicycles
(Pictures supplied)
