COVID-19 - HELP AFFECTED PEOPLE IN TAMIL NADU (Phase 2)

With India on lockdown since March due to COVID-19 pandemic, and the lockdown extended for another two weeks from May 4th, the poor and underprivileged population are the most affected due to sudden loss of their livelihood. During the phase 1 of lockdown, MSCF worked with a partner to provide food packets to needy people in Bangalore. Please see phase 1 updates in below.

As part of our phase 2 efforts, with needs becoming dire now with prolonged lockdown in India, MSCF has identified a non-profit organization Reaction Team (http://reactionteam.org/) that is working on ground in Tamil Nadu to help people in need. Few of our past and present members either are part of the team or were directly/indirectly involved in its work so we have thorough recommendation for the organization to partner with. 

We are also reviewing the needs of our local community due to the impact of COVID-19 in Central Florida.

We are requesting donations from members to help with following causes.

1. Help provide ration or cooked food for poor and under privileged people in Tamil Nadu through Reaction Team's volunteers on ground
2. Help assess and donate food materials to local food pantries in Orlando

Select purpose as COVID-19 - MSCF Helps (Phase 2). The payment is accepted in a secured website.

UPDATE: Jun 21

1. MSCF raised $3309, after fees we had $3217
   
2. Disbursed $3000 to Reaction Team to help needy people in Chennai
1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7wDLdo2fY6GGJ5WJ9
2. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXevBhAXbDXmcF986
3. $217 will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida who is fighting homelessness and feeding the needy in our local community

For any questions, please reach out to Vijay Shanmugam at shan.vijay@gmail.com.

Thanks and Regards
Board of Directors, MSCF

* AffiniPay (MSCF's payment processor) charges a fee of 2.9% + $.30 for all online donations which is unavoidable. No other fees in this effort.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS - 2019

MSCF is a registered, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the awareness and promotion of Tamil culture in Central Florida and various charitable causes such as

• Educational Scholarships for needy students in India every year since 2013
• Help people affected by natural calamities in India
• Donate time to local charities etc.

MSCF has supported several needy students who have successfully completed their degrees and are practicing doctors, software engineers and other professionals. 

In continuation our efforts, MSCF is accepting nominations for Educational Scholarships for the year 2019. Please read the rules below carefully and submit your nominations by JULY 28, 2019.

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Each registered MSCF member family can nominate up to 5 students only.
2. New nominations are required for past scholarship awardees. If nominated, they will get preference provided they have maintained good academic record.
3. Eligibility for nominations.
   1. Students already pursuing college degree such as B.E, B.Tech, M.B.B.S, B.A, B.Sc, B.C.A, B.B.A, M.C.A, etc., with good marks is past semesters and no arrears.
   2. Students completed 12th standard exam with at least 70% marks and got admission letter to a degree course.
   3. MSCF member personally verified that students' family is in dire financial needs and the scholarship will help ease financial stress on the family.
4. A maximum of 25 students will be selected for scholarship of Rs. 25,000 each.
5. MSCF Scholarship Committee's decision is final with regards to selection criteria.
6. For each student submit one application with all supporting documents by JULY 28, 2019.
   1. Duly filled Application Form with student's photo affixed
   2. Letter of recommendation from MSCF member
   3. Letter of recommendation from either Principal or a Teacher or a community member
   4. For new students, copy of 10th and 12th mark sheets and college admission letter
   5. For current college students, copy of all past semester mark sheets
   6. Scanned copy of Photo ID / PAN card
   7. Scanned copy of ration card
7. Application and supporting documents should be sent to mscfscholarship@gmail.com. Send one email per student nomination.

Click Here to Download the Application Form

IMPORTANT TIMELINES

1. All nominations are due by JULY 28, 2019. Nominations submitted after the due date will not be considered.
2. Selected students and the nominating members will be informed by AUGUST 09, 2019 about scholarship disbursement.

FUNDRAISING TO REHABILITATE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CYCLONE GAJA

MSCF is accepting donations to provide long-term help to people affected by Cyclone Gaja. MSCF will be working directly with volunteers on group and send all donations with very minimum or no overhead expenses at all.

Please go to Cyclone Gaja Rehabilitation page to donate.