In the wake of the devastating wildfires sweeping across Southern California, Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles (CMLA) and Chinmaya Mission Bakersfield have joined hands to contribute $40,000 to ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Reflecting on the donation, Swami Ishwarananda, the regional spiritual leader, shared, “Seva is love in action,” echoing the words of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, the Mission’s revered founder. He emphasized the spiritual and emotional commitment behind the contribution.
The fires have uprooted lives, damaged infrastructure, and left already struggling communities in greater distress. Long-term recovery requires more than emergency aid—it calls for rebuilding and holistic healing.
To support this, organizations like the Los Angeles Mission are providing comprehensive care—ranging from shelter and meals to education, counseling, and job training—helping individuals work toward independence and stability.
On April 11, a delegation from CMLA led by Swami Ishwarananda and Brahmacharini Sandhya Chaitanya visited the LA Mission. They were received by Interim CEO Dennis Oleesky, who guided them through the facilities, including the chapel and kitchen, where more than 1,000 meals are prepared daily for those in need.
In a moving gesture, the LA Mission presented the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award to Chinmaya Mission, accepted by Swami Ishwarananda on behalf of all members.
Celebrating the ongoing relationship, the LA Mission shared a tribute on Instagram: “They’ve brought joy. Now they’ve brought hope. Today, Chinmaya Mission returned with a $40,000 donation to support wildfire survivors across LA.”
The visit also sparked discussions on future collaborations to further extend their collective reach and help more vulnerable communities throughout Los Angeles.
