Anniversary Mass celebrates mission camp in India with Arlington Hts. ties
One of India's largest mission camps - with roots in Arlington Heights - will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Friday, Aug. 4, at the St. James Parish Center.
"It's a great blessing that so many here in America have enabled our Foundation for Children in Need to reach out to 2,500 needy children and college students in India," said Tom Chitta, who, along with his wife, Dr. Geetha Chitta, stepped off a jumbo jet 15 years ago at O'Hare.
Within months, the Chittas had won the support of St. James Parish - today they are parish members as well as Arlington Heights residents - and particularly that of its then pastor, the Rev. Bill Zavaski; FCN was founded.
The Chitta's returned to India and set up a base camp in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where they began reaching out to the "rural poor" with food, clothing and education. Today this man and wife team crisscross America, averaging 20,000 miles or more each year bringing their FCN message of charity to more than 400 parishes.
The Chittas list the following accomplishments of FCN, a nonprofit organization: Distribution of 10,000 dictionaries and 60,000 notebooks to schoolchildren in the villages; new clothing to 10,000 needy students and to the elderly; and library books to 150 village schools.
"Thousands are helped through our free medical services of Dr. Geetha," her husband stated, adding that, "With the help of a medical team from USA and local surgeons, FCN has coordinated life changing surgeries for 350 children born with cleft lip and cleft palate in the past two years. Also, the tailoring classes and embroidery training for 100 women this year is having a positive impact on generating income for their families, and everyone who completes the training is awarded a sewing machine."
The 15th anniversary celebration of FCN will begin with a 4:30 p.m. thanksgiving Mass at St. James Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, followed by a reception and dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the parish center across the street.
"This evening is a celebration of love and fellowship," the Chittas said.
For more information, contact Bob Schwarz at (847) 255-833 or Tom McQuillan at (847) 506-1338.
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