The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin–Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) organized a successful fundraiser at its Annual Holiday Party on December 7, raising $5,000 in support of Person to Person, a respected charitable organization based in Darien, with branches in Stamford and Norwalk.
Guided by its vision of “thriving, hunger-free homes,” Person to Person assists families and individuals on their path to stability by providing healthy food, clothing, housing assistance, and access to economic opportunity. A check was presented to Ms. Sarah Lippman, Development and Salesforce Manager of Person to Person, during the event.
GOPIO-CT presents check of $5,000 to Person to Person official Sarah Lippman. From l. to r.: GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Srinivas Akarapu, Lucia Rilling, Sarah Lippman, Rep. Corey Paris, GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani, Mayor Harry Rilling, Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Mirat Joshi. CT Senator Sujata Gadkar Wilcox, and Sonali Gannu
The Annual Holiday Party brought together community leaders, elected officials, and GOPIO members for an evening that included the swearing-in of GOPIO-CT’s newly elected leadership team, live entertainment, and dinner. The program opened with a universal prayer led by GOPIO-CT Secretary Sonali Gannu.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling served as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries in attendance included Connecticut State Senator Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Connecticut Assemblyman Corey Paris. Mayor Rilling noted that during his tenure as Mayor, Indian Americans have made remarkable contributions to the City of Norwalk.
Assemblyman Corey Paris, who also serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer and Strategy Officer at Person to Person, thanked GOPIO-CT for its continued support of the organization and its mission.
Over the past ten years, GOPIO-CT has supported 16 charities in Southern Connecticut, including: Future 5; Women’s Mentoring Network; Teach for America; Children’s Learning Center; Dollars for Scholars; Building One Community; Grassroots of Norwalk and Stamford; Mill River Park Collaborative; Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants; Stamford Hospital Foundation and the Bennett Cancer Center; Norwalk Community College Foundation; Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County; Nourish Bridgeport; New Covenant House; and Wheel It Forward.
GOPIO-CT has also extended its charitable efforts internationally by supporting the Society for Human and Environmental Development (SHED), which provides educational opportunities in rural areas of Maharashtra, India.
In 2025 alone, GOPIO-CT and its members contributed $25,000 each to Future 5 and Children’s Learning Center, and $10,000 to SHED. During the Holiday Party, a check was also presented to Women’s Mentoring Network.
Lana Gifas, Executive Director of Women’s Mentoring Network, remarked, “GOPIO has always been supportive of our program in Stamford, which focuses on economic empowerment for single women and their families through employment and educational opportunities.”
Representatives from several partner organizations and institutions also attended and addressed the audience, including Eileen L. McNamara, Development Manager at the Norwalk Community College Foundation; Yelena Klompus of Stamford’s Ferguson Library; Cliff McFeely, Founder of Future 5; Jennifer Hallissey, Director of Strategy Partnerships at Children’s Learning Center and Jim Hoffman of Wheel It Forward.
GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani delivered the welcome address and highlighted the chapter’s activities during the year, including:
- India Independence Day flag hoisting at Stamford Government Center and cultural festival at Mill River Park
- Participation in Stamford Day and the Mayor’s Multicultural Society
- Community seminars on taxation and investments
- Advocacy with Congressman Jim Himes on H-1B visa fee issues
- Support for SHED’s rural education initiatives in India
- Hosting University of Connecticut students during Diwali celebrations
- Fundraising for Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center
- Participation in the Norwalk NICE Festival
- Joint programs with GOPIO International and regional GOPIO chapters
“GOPIO-CT has consistently provided cultural, educational, networking, and charitable programs for our community, and we remain committed to expanding these efforts,” said Jhangiani.
State Senator Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Associate Professor of Legal Studies at Quinnipiac University, commended GOPIO-CT for its service-oriented initiatives that benefit the broader community.
The highlight of the evening was the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected GOPIO-CT leadership team. Mahesh Jhangiani was unanimously re-elected as President. Other officers include:
- Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Executive Vice President
- Sonali Gannu, Vice President
- Mirat Joshi, Secretary
- Srinivas Akarapu, Treasurer
- Nandu Kuppuswamy, Board Member (Seminars)
- Shelli Nichani and Prasad Chintalapudi, Trustees
Continuing Trustees include Dr. Thomas Abraham, Totty Narang, Joseph Simon, and Shailesh Naik. Mayor Harry Rilling administered the Oath of Office. GOPIO Chairman and Advisor to GOPIO-CT served as the Chair of the Election committee along with Biru Sharma and Jaya Daptardar.
GOPIO-CT’s newly elected Secretary Mirat Joshi served as the MC. A musical evening followed with live Bollywood oldies by Singer Seema Kaur. GOPIO Executive Vice President Sushanth Krishnamurthy concluded the evening program with vote of thanks. An Indian dinner followed.
About GOPIO-CT
Over the last 19 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.
