We are excited to announce that The Giving Tree will be hosting a food drive to feed underprivileged kids at the Brighton Center. Donate today to make a difference and help a child in need! For more information, and the list of suggested items, visit the events page.

We are thrilled to announce that Tara Rakesh, Speller Number 155, will be participating in the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington DC this year. As a talented and dedicated speller, Tara has showcased her linguistic skills and earned her place among the nation's top spellers.

Join us as we rally behind Tara and cheer her on during this exciting event. The National Spelling Bee will take place from May 29th to June 2nd, 2023, in the heart of Washington DC. This highly anticipated competition brings together spellers from across the country to demonstrate their mastery of words and compete for the championship title.

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Every year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee brings together young spellers from across the nation, showcasing their exceptional linguistic skills and determination. Among this year's talented spellers is Tara Rakesh, Speller Number 155, whose journey to the Spelling Bee has been marked by dedication, passion, and a heart for making a difference. Let's dive into Tara's inspiring story as she prepares to compete in the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.

1. A Year of Preparation: Tara's journey to the Spelling Bee began over a year ago when she embarked on a rigorous preparation process. Balancing her academic commitments and extracurricular activities, Tara dedicated countless hours to expanding her vocabulary, studying etymology, and mastering complex spelling rules. Her unwavering commitment and love for language have been instrumental in her remarkable progress.
2. The Giving Tree: A Non-Profit Startup: While sharpening her spelling skills, Tara found time to pursue her passion for social impact. She co-founded a non-profit startup with her sister Tanvi called "The Giving Tree" with the mission to support the education of underprivileged children globally. Tara's dedication to making a difference demonstrates her deep empathy and commitment to ensuring access to education for all children, regardless of their circumstances.
3. Playtime with Goldy: In the midst of her intense preparation, Tara finds solace and joy in spending quality time with her beloved golden retriever, Goldy. Playing fetch in the park, taking long walks, or simply curling up with a book and her furry friend brings her a sense of calm and happiness. Goldy's presence provides much-needed balance and relaxation in Tara's busy schedule.
4. The National Spelling Bee Experience: As Tara prepares for the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, she eagerly anticipates the unique experiences and opportunities that lie ahead. Connecting with fellow spellers from diverse backgrounds, engaging in spirited competition, and immersing herself in the vibrant atmosphere of the event are all aspects she is looking forward to. Tara's positive attitude and enthusiasm make her a beacon of inspiration for her peers.
5. Making a Lasting Impact: Beyond the thrill of the competition, Tara is thankful for the platform the National Spelling Bee provides her to amplify her mission with The Giving Tree. She plans to use this opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of education for underprivileged children and encourage others to support her cause. By participating in the Spelling Bee, Tara hopes to inspire people to make a difference and contribute to creating a brighter future for children in need.

In conclusion, Tara Rakesh, Speller Number 155, is not only a remarkable speller but also a compassionate change maker. Her journey to the National Spelling Bee reflects her commitment to academic excellence, her dedication to her non-profit startup, The Giving Tree, and her love for her golden retriever, Goldy. As Tara takes the stage in Washington DC, she brings with her the hopes and dreams of underprivileged children worldwide. Let us support Tara and her mission to make a lasting impact through education, and may her journey inspire us all to pursue our passions and make a positive difference in the world.

We are super excited to share that we are doing an Instagram Takeover with Sahasra Deepika! We will be posting photos and videos on the SD Instagram Page throughout April and May and we do not want you to miss out. Follow us on Instagram @thegivingtreenonprofit and check out the takeover @sahasra.deepika. Stay tuned for more information about what we are doing in the summer very soon! Thank you all for the support and encouragement :)

​-Tanvi

Hi everybody! Today we visited The Homeward Bound Shelter and presented Brighton Center with a check of $3500! $500 from The Giving Tree Holiday Fundraiser and $3000 from Sahasra Deepika Foundation of Education. We would like to thank everybody who donated and helped us reach our goal. This donation will help improve the lives of the kids at the Homeward Bound Shelter. Thank you to the Sahasra Deepika Foundation as well for all of their help and their generous contribution! We are excited to conduct more projects like this in the future!

-Tara

Hi everyone!! I have some exciting news!! We are conducting a fundraiser over the holidays to support kids in need. The Giving Tree is partnering with the Sahasra Deepika Foundation for Education and raising funds to help children who have been affected in the pandemic. We are going to give 100% of the proceeds from our fundraiser to Brighton Center's Homeward Bound Shelter, a shelter for underprivileged kids to go to as a safe place. Thank you so much to all of those that have already contributed!! Our fundraiser is still open, so feel free to donate!

​-Tara

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy during the pandemic.  COVID-19, otherwise known as the Coronavirus, has changed our lives in many ways. It has also affected our plans to help the girls at Sahasra Deepika as I was planning a fundraiser in my community which was canceled due to the pandemic. Around March of this year, I had scheduled a fundraiser and tied up with my local Chipotle to contribute towards The Giving Tree. One week before the fundraiser, we all went into lockdown and events across the world had to be cancelled including our fundraiser. Tara conducted a fundraiser at her school this year which was extremely successful prior to the pandemic and we are happy that we could still contribute to SD in some way.  During quarantine, Tara and I have still found ways to be connected to The Giving Tree and our mission to help the girls at Sahasra Deepika. We recently participated in a video on Sahasra Deepika where we shared what freedom meant to us for the 4th of July. Tara and I are also excited to announce that we will be working on blog posts for Sahasra Deepika as well and we are very thankful for this opportunity. As Youth Ambassadors for SD, we are glad that we are still able to be involved in our cause during this difficult time. Please go check out the blog at www.sdie.org to stay updated on how you can help. Since we have a lot more time in the summer, we are hoping to start an online shop and sell some of our favorite items to raise funds for The Giving Tree. Some of these items would include necklaces, artwork, face masks, scrunchies, and much more. We will release more information about this by the end of the month but just wanted to give you a preview of some of our future events. :)  Look for more blog posts in the future and some exciting news coming up! 
​Stay safe!
-Tanvi 

Thank you to our two new donors!! We are extremely thankful for their contributions toward our project. Both of these generous donations will greatly help the girls at the Sahasra Deepika Foundation. Remember, every donation counts, so feel free to donate! Also, stay tuned for more blog posts regarding future events and more shoutouts!
-Tara

Hi everyone! Over the weekend the Sahasra Deepika Foundation conducted their annual Spelling Bee for 2020. Kids from several government schools in Bangalore participated in this event. The Giving Tree awarded educational scholarships to the top 3 winners of this competition. This scholarship was made possible due to the generous donations received from my school community during the spirit week fundraiser which I conducted in December 2019. Thankful to my school for helping us make this possible. With their help and generosity, The Giving Tree was able to make a positive difference and help secure a better education for the future for these winners. Congratulations to the winners!

​- Tara

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 Hi everybody! This past week I conducted another  fundraiser at my school.  This was to  raise funds for  underprivileged kids at The Sahasra Deepika Foundation. I organized this spirit week through The Giving Tree Foundation. I am extremely thankful to the students,parents, and teachers of my school community for coming together to help me raise funds to support the kids at The Sahasra Deepika Foundation. Don't forget to check our blog posts for updates on future events and  fundraisers!  
​- Tara