PURE Youth Image

PURE Youth Edison

New Jersey

The PURE Youth Edison chapter was created in 2019 and has grown exponentially since then. Over these three years as a chapter, we have raised a great amount of money to provide the underprivileged kids in developing countries. With the efforts of our ambassadors, directors, parent volunteers, and parent mentors we have hosted various events throughout our time. We have carried out 5k marathons, multiple bake sales, Diya/Diwali sales, dances, sweet sales, restaurant collaborations, and book sales. As a chapter, we plan to keep our hard work and efforts up in the future though many more creative events.

Introduction to the Chapter:

The Edison Chapter’s journey began in September 2019. After watching PURE in action at several events, we decided to undertake this amazing opportunity to provide an education to underprivileged children. Since then, our group has grown both in size and strength, and we have become a close-knit group of people dedicated to achieving our goals together. All of our members are passionate and have given countless hours for the greater good. Our team has learned so much through all the different activities we have done so far, such as bake sales, fundraisers, and especially the Prerana event. Many of our members love to dance; with Prerana, they get to act and perform for a great cause! In addition, we are blessed to have such earnest, hardworking, and diligent mentors. They are always there for us and guide us to do our best. Without them, there would not be an Edison Chapter! PURE taught us a lot about the value of education and how it can change a person’s life. Our members are eager to continue supporting this important cause and hope to make a great impact in the future!

Areas Focused On:

The Edison Chapter’s first goal was to raise money for the Innerwear Project. This project consisted of raising money through fundraising means and donating that money to get innerwear for poor children who do not have such garments. This was particularly important for a healthier and hygienic future for these children.

Currently, we are focusing on the Prerana Event. This event raises money to open a new school in Hyderabad for children living on the streets. These kids often do not have the means to go to school. They are not accepted for their outward appearances and are obliged to get money to support their families. This school will allow them to have a brighter future, thanks to a sophisticated education.

Total Hours:

Year Number of Volunteers Hours
2019 8 52.15
2020 10 189.7

Projects:

  1. 2019-2020
  2. 2020-2021
    • Spring Bake Sale
    • Winter clothes Donation
    • Diwali Diya Sale
    • Food Drive
  3. 2021-2022
    • Diwali Diya Sale
    • Ugadi Kit Sale
    • 5K Marathon
    • Valentines Bake Sale
    • Clothing Drive
  4. 2022-2023
    • Diwali Kit Sale
    • 5K Marathon
    • Winter Clothing/Food Drive

Led By Children, For Children

Testimonials

As a member in PURE, it has taught me so many skills that I have benefited so much from. It lets me contribute to helping other people that are unprivileged by doing several projects. I have participated and raised lots of money to help underprivileged communities. I learned a lot from this experience and I am proud to be a part of the PURE organization.
- Aditya Dwasari

During the years 2019-2022, being in PURE taught me many skills and helped advance my knowledge on numerous subjects. It was brought to my attention on how I could make a significant impact on someone's life and society. PURE is a connected team which has not only taught me how to communicate with my team but also how to help lead my team to success.
- Charvi Padminabhini

Being a part of this amazing organization PURE has taught me so much. Learning more about certain circumstances of others who aren’t as fortunate as me has made me see the world differently. While completing each and every project that has been assigned to me and my team I always feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that the different causes we have fundraised for makes a huge difference. At first when I heard about PURE my thoughts were ,”people take time to do this for others?”. Slowly after joining the Edison chapter I quickly realized why. The joy you feel in helping others is something that you can never achieve with anything else. Through PURE I have learned to always appreciate what I have. As well as that, I have been taught how to work as a team, being a leader, and how to bring a community together. I have only good things to say about my experience with PURE and I hope this organization thrives more and more by the day!
- Diti Bompally

Being a member of PURE helped me progress as a person. I learned many things and got a lot of experience on how to help others when they are in need. I learned how volunteering can be fun and that no matter what is happening in your life, you can always help someone to make the world a better place. For this reason, I hope I can be in PURE for many years to come.
- Dhruv Amagowni

As a member of PURE, a non-profit organization, I have benefitted so much from it. Helping others who are in dire circumstances to help them feels like such a wholesome thing to be a part of. Being a part of the Edison chapter, I have learned that every small thing counts and can make a difference in someone’s life. Overall, from the projects that we have completed in the chapter, I can say that PURE has really helped me understand how important it is to help others, as well as learning how to be a good leader and communicating well with others.
- Sahasra Mendikar

As a part of the PURE organization, it makes me really happy to know that I have played a role in better modern society. I have loved raising money and other goods to help people in need, and also learning incredibly useful skills throughout my journey. I’ve learned to manage my time better, be a better leader, and communicate with a team of others for the best outcome.
- Shreyas Mendikar

Being in PURE gave me many great experiences that I have been through. It let me help underprivileged communities and offer them new opportunities. I have raised money many times, to help others and collaborated with a team to make creative ideas. This process I have been through is great and I am grateful that I am part of it.
- Suhas Prathipati

I am so honored and proud to be part of PURE. I have seen how hard the ambassadors in the Edison chapter work towards our project goals and they inspire me to work harder as well. We have conducted meaningful service projects through my time at PURE. I was shocked by the number of opportunities that are provided for ambassadors to help both global and local communities as well as opportunities to become better leaders. Working together with the other ambassadors gives motivation for everyone to strive for better results and help others in need whenever possible. PURE has thought me just how important it is so aid others and what it truly means to be a leader. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this organization and I am excited to continue to work harder.
- Varenya Amagowni

As a member of PURE youth, it encourages me to help others and make small changes in our community. I have greatly enjoyed all the opportunities that I have been given to help others and make a difference in their lives. I loved helping our chapter with projects and fundraisers and I am excited for the new things that PURE will bring.
- Veda Prathipati

As a new admission to PURE YOUTH, i've realized how much of a difference i've made just in the small amount of time i have been here. Pure has taught me many different things about the world and about myself that I did not know, and showed me how you can do simple things to change someone's life forever. I know that by participating in this organization, I can do my part.
- Agastya

I have recently joined PURE Youth when working on the PURE Femme Cinema Masti fundraiser project to educate everyone on menstrual hygiene and normalizing periods. When partaking in this project, I realized how much of a direct impact I was making others. Being a part of a change that was improving the world- even if it was just by a little, is important to me, to make an impact. I hope to keep doing similar things, and helping others and changing lives. I am honored to be a part of PURE who directly allows me to do that.
- Yuna

As a recent admission to PURE Youth, I realized that the best way to feel a sense of peace during these past few years with covid and other global hardships is to give back. After finishing my first project with PURE I felt this sense of accomplishment knowing that I made a difference in someone’s life, no matter how small. I hope to be able to continue to do this over time and truly make my impact on the world, creating a better place as time moves on.
- Sneha

Achievements

Achievements of Ambassadors Outside of PURE:

  1. Ishika Macherla, 11th Grade
    • National Honors Society student.
    • Gold medal for Go Green in FCCLA.
    • Gold medal for Toys That Teach in FCCLA.
    • Advanced choreographer in Dance Exchange.
    • Vasavi Society Community Service Award.
  2. Moukthika Mudigati, 6th Grade
    • Woodrow Wilson Middle School Girls’ Soccer Team.
    • Regional choir.
    • Woodrow Wilson Middle School Model U.N.
    • Eight years of Kuchipudi and Carnatic singing.
  3. Saveena Boga, 7th Grade
    • I am thankful to be able to participate in many activities when others are less fortunate. I want to help spread awareness and bring children to play sports and enjoy their life. I am a part of my middle school basketball team and will be the 2020 Woodrow Wilson Girls Basketball Team Captain. I’m willing to take my leadership to inspire people on my team and others to try what they want. I was also in the 2019-2020 school as an ensemble, and it was great to see different individuals portraying a character in their own perspective and giving life to someone written on paper. Moreover, one of the most important things I have dedicated myself to is Indian classical dance. I have been attending and learning 8 years of Kuchupudi dance, and have won awards such as the 2019 first place classical trophy. I have also played basketball outside of schools and have won 2016-2017 ETYB championships. I’m also grateful to be apart of the softball team as 2020 softball manager. I am truly lucky to be apart of so many organizations with the people I love most, and I want to share that joy to children who most need it, and spark hope in their future.
  4. Sameera Boga, 9th Grade
    • J.P Stevens High School Girls’ Basketball Team.
    • J.P Stevens High School Acapella, performing at Carnegie Hall.
    • 9 years of Kuchipudi at Nritya Madhavi School of Dance.
  5. Sarika Akula, 10th Grade
    • There
    • 5 years of Carnatic music.
    • 4 years of violin.
    • 1 year of the guitar.
    • J.P Stevens High School’s Interact Club.
    • J.P Stevens High School’s INK! Magazine.
    • J.P Stevens High School’s Hawkeye Newspaper.
  6. Charvi Padmanabhini, 8th Grade
    • I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to grow up with the valuable life lessons I learned from my extracurriculars. Since I was five years old, I have participated in the Indian classical dance called Kuchipudi. During the course of these ten years, I have also won many competitions, received many first prize awards and learned more about my culture. At the age of nine, I started ballet and hip hop; I have expanded my knowledge in different types of dances and learned the importance of time management. I have successfully completed four years of roller and ice figure skating and also participated in a few competitions. I have also won the presidential award for my hard work and determination in elementary school. In middle school, I participated in a club called FCCLA. In this club, I competed and received a gold medal in the Caregiver Carry-Aall. I am also currently certified in Level One Carnatic singing by Potti Sreemulu Telugu University and I am going to get certified in Level Two this May. In the past two years, I started to show an interest in tennis and plan to continue it throughout high school. All throughout middle school, I maintained a straight A in the Honor Roll. I look forward to learning more through these endeavors!
  7. Amrutha Vadlamani, 9th Grade
    • J.P Stevens High School Girls’ Basketball Team.
    • J.P Stevens High School Girls’ Lacrosse Team.
    • J.P Stevens High School Girl Up.
    • J.P Stevens High School Acapella, performing at Carnegie Hall.
    • 7 years of Kuchipudi classical dance.
      • Won several Kuchipudi classical dance competitions.
    • 5 years of Carnatic music.
    • 5 years of Manabadi, passing the college test and earning 32 college credits.
    • 3 years of Bharatanatyam classical dance.
    • 4 years of Pragnya.
  8. Diti Bompally, 8th Grade
    • 1st Place for Community Counts, FCCLA.
    • Carnatic singing for 6 years.
    • Completed all 5 levels of roller skating and won competitions at Woodbridge.
    • In the Orchestra for 5 years.
    • Learned hip-hop, ballet, and tap dancing for 5 years.

Directors and Ambassadors

Directors:

  1. Varenya Amagowni - Bronze Award
  2. Diti Bompally - Bronze Award

Ambassadors:

  1. Agastya J
  2. Sneha
  3. Yuna A
  4. Aditya D
  5. Charvi C - Bronze Award
  6. Alekhya C - Bronze award
  7. Dhruv A- Bronze award
  8. Moukthika M- Bronze award
  9. Sahasra M- Bronze award
  10. Shreyas M- Bronze award
  11. Sameera B- Bronze award
  12. Saveena B- Silver award
  13. Veda P
  14. Suhas P
  15. Sonal T- Bronze award
  16. Abhinav P
  17. Varun P
  18. Rhea T