If you have the money, you can donate. If you have resources, you can share. If you have some time to spare, you can volunteer – the ‘Joy of Giving Week' (JGW), to be held between October 2 and October 8, seeks to provide every individual an opportunity to give in some small way.

Addressing presspersons in connection with the campaign here on Monday, Carnatic vocalist and founder and managing trustee of Samudhaaya Foundation, Sudha Raghunathan said she was taking up two initiatives as part of the JGW.

Along with her disciples and a group of younger musicians, she will organise interactive Carnatic music performances at five schools run by the Chennai Corporation. “These are children who do not get an opportunity to listen to concerts. After all, music is about spreading joy and it will be a delight to sing for them,” she said. The team led by her will also perform at select orphanages and old age homes.

Through the second initiative, she will make donations to Prema Vaasam, a home for underprivileged, destitute children in Mangadu, and towards providing medical support to children suffering from cancer, with the support of Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, Porur.

ATM outreach

Those who use an ATM facility of the State Bank of India are likely to notice a message on the screen, triggering their intention to give and be part of the JGW. J.Chandrasekaran, Chief General Manager of SBI (Local Head Office), said the outreach activity would cover over 25,000 ATMs of the bank across the country.

“Just as users slip the card into the machine, the JGW logo and a message ‘What good deed have you planned for the day?' will appear on the screen. We believe it will make everyone think for a moment and help in spreading awareness about the campaign,” he said.

Observing that many people wanted to give, but were caught in everyday preoccupations, he said: “Though there is an intention to give, it does not take a tangible form often. This campaign gives all of us an opportunity to contribute in some way.”

Supporting causes

The ‘Battle of Buffet', involving leading hotels in the city, will have interesting dishes for sale. The money raised through the mega dinner will go towards supporting various causes. The event will be held at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, on October 9. Playback singer S.P.Balasubrahmanyam and his troupe will perform on the special occasion.

M. Mahadevan, founder, Oriental Cuisines, said the concept had expanded over the last few years. “We hope to raise over Rs.1 crore this year. Nearly 100 NGOs will participate. Individuals as well as companies can book tables,” he said.

Companies have already begun booking tables for Rs.1 lakh each. Coupons to advance-book tables for the evening are available at all Oriental Cuisine outlets.

In another event as part of JGW, a 100-metre-long-eggless cake will be kept at the Express Avenue mall on October 6. The cake will have images tracing the journey of Tamil cinema over 75 years from ‘Pattinathar' to ‘Mankatha'. The images will be on edible paper, and the sale proceeds will fund activities of the Mahesh Memorial Trust that support cancer care for the underprivileged, organisers said.

For details about the JGW, write to info@joyofgivingweek or call 92823 39070.