DEDICATED VOLUNTEER SWEARS BY HIS MISSION TO SERVE

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honored Sai Shyamsundar. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

With every box he unloads, Sai Shyamsundar is driven by a mission to serve.

When Sai saw the work his brother was doing as a volunteer with Charity Crossing, an organization that provides basic needs to community members, he knew he wanted to be a part of their mission. Sai instantly jumped in and hasn’t looked back. Each week since 2022, Sai has headed out on what he calls a “serve,” an opportunity to distribute goods ranging from food and clothing to hygiene items and toys to people in communities throughout New Jersey. It doesn’t matter if the mission requires a long drive or several hours of work unloading boxes. No matter what, Sai is there, dedicated to helping others.

While Charity Crossing’s mission is to help others, Sai is steadfast in his belief that his volunteer work has taught him significant lessons, as well. It doesn’t matter if he’s dealing with a busy work week or navigating personal problems. Sai is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s words that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” He also says one of the greatest lessons he’s learned through his experience is the power of collaboration. While each volunteer is very different, everyone finds the ability to come together and achieve the common goal of helping people in the community.

Sai’s mission to bring people together in the name of helping others is a powerful reminder of how volunteering can change the world. Creating meaningful change like Sai does in his community can come in a variety of forms, but each one is worthwhile.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Charity Crossing.

Charity Crossing receives a wide variety of donations such as clothing, household items, hygiene products and monetary contributions that go to individuals and families going through difficult times. Charity Crossing is headquartered in Delaware and we receive most of these donations in New Jersey. Every week, we have several different “serves” from animal shelters, senior assisted living facilities, shelters, churches and places like that. We sort and distribute these items into different boxes that come for delivery. We take these items, load them up into our cars, and go to the individual serves in different parts of New Jersey. We bring these supplies there, and these serve the community members in that area.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

My brother was the one who volunteered with Charity Crossing first. I came to drop him off at one of the volunteering serves, and I was deeply moved by their mission to support communities and create lasting, positive change. Something about this organization’s mission to help struggling communities and embrace humanity resonated with me. I’ve always believed in the power of collective action to make a difference, and Charity Crossing just happened to offer that platform where I could directly contribute my time and skills to causes that I’m passionate about. Just having that ability to create a tangible impact on people’s lives inspired me to be part of this organization. I knew that I wanted to be part of this, and it’s been an amazing journey.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

The organization is currently active in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. One of the key goals that I hope to help with is to expand its reach beyond its serving locations and bring the impactful mission it has to other states where communities can benefit from its support. I feel like by broadening the footprint, we can help a lot more individuals and families access these resources that they need to thrive. We could also improve our partnerships with other organizations that might have a lot of surplus items like clothing, food or household goods. We could also look into partnerships there.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

I would say the most rewarding part would be witnessing the tangible difference that our efforts are making in the lives of others. I remember when I was volunteering one day, I met this individual, a Vietnam War veteran, who had been struggling with severe leg pain. He shared with me that every time he woke up, he would struggle to get out of bed because of the immense pain. One of the serves that we participated in had a bunch of surplus pillows and I handed him one. His entire face just lit up with a smile. It was just a simple gesture, but that pillow made that world of a difference. Something as small as a pillow could ease his pain and improve his quality of life. It reminds me of the impact that the smallest act of kindness can have on someone’s life. It has been fulfilling to know that my time and contributions are helping to create an impact.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact. I used to believe that only big gestures or big things could make a real difference. But through my work with Charity Crossing, I’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest contributions can create meaningful change, whether it’s bringing pillows or blankets to someone in need or being there in the moment and listening to what someone is going through. Something small is just listening and being empathetic, and that goes a long way. It’s a small step, but it’s a big step towards a brighter future.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Volunteering allows us to embrace our shared humanity, especially during uncertain times. Offering our time and support to others fosters a sense of connection and reminds us that we’re all in this together. Through acts of kindness and selflessness, we find purpose and strength. It’s not just for ourselves but for those around us. Volunteering helps bridge divides. Even in a world that might seem divided, volunteering is a way to reaffirm our commitment to one another towards the greater good and solidifies the power of empathy.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

My advice for anyone who wants to start volunteering is to take that first step and be open to the experience. I know it can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t require a huge commitment or a specific skill. You can start pretty small. Volunteering is about growth and learning because it allows you to learn about yourself. It’s a two-way street. You not only give your time to others, but you also grow.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I would say that even the smallest gesture, no matter how small it is, can have the biggest impact. Whether it’s a donated pillow or blankets or kind words, these acts of compassion can bring immense comfort to anyone in the community who’s going through a difficult time. It’s a reminder for me that we all have the power to make a difference. No matter how small or insignificant we may think it is, these actions have immense power. We might be living in a world where challenges feel overwhelming, but we all have the power to create meaningful change by simply showing up for others, being present in the moment and offering whatever we can to help. Connection is, especially with human beings, very powerful.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Sai? Find local volunteer opportunities.