Arlington Heights charity working in India celebrates 15th years

The Foundation for Children in Need, a not-for-profit organization established 15 years ago in Arlington Heights to help people in need in India, celebrated its 15th anniversary Aug. 4 at St. James Church in Arlington Heights.

More than 300 people gathered for the event, which included a Mass, followed by music and a dinner. The Mass was led by the Most Rev. Bala Udumala, bishop of Warnagal, India, who concelebrated with 15 priests.

Udumala spoke of the dedicated work of Tom Chitta and Dr. Geetha Yeruva, cofounders of FCN, which provides sponsorship to 2,500 needy students and medical care for village people in India, who often lack access to hospitals.

Each year, more than 10,000 dictionaries and thousands of notebooks are distributed to students, along with clothing for the needy and school supplies and library books for village schools.

In the past two years, FCN has organized free cleft lip and palate surgeries for 400 people and given 100 women training in tailoring and embroidery, along with a sewing machine.

Udumala spoke of how FCN brings West and East together and and several FCN sponsors shared stories about their visits to India and the work of FCN that they have witnessed there.

For details about FCN, visit www.fcn-usa.org.