Dear friends,

Greetings!  As we prepare ourselves for our community  events this year, we have reason to  feel confident that  this should shape up to be another wonderful year given the wealth of talents  our youngsters especially have demonstrated in the recent years.

We had a meeting of the GramNY organizing committee recently to plan the events for this year. Decision was made to continue with the membership drive like last year so that we can remain financially viable for our programs in the coming years. The list of the committee members and the organizers of the various events will be posted on the GramNY web site. The schedule of events for this year is as follows:

1.  Professional artist Dance program on 3/20/09 at ICC from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Paid members will receive free ticket (s) - 2 for family and 1 each for individual and student membership): This program is co-sponsored by GramNY and ICC. This program will give us the opportunity to meet, socialize and get entertained. This replaces the Bowling event that is discontinued due to lack of interest.

2. Summer Picnic on 6/20/09 at Dogwood shelter, Genesee Valley Park: The shelter will be available to us from 11:30 am that day. Generally, the activities start by 3 pm and end by 6:30 pm.

3. Onam celebration on 9/12/09 at ICC: The program will start promptly at 5:00 pm and end by 7:30 pm followed by Dinner.

4. GramNY global outreach: This year we will start getting active with volunteering/charitable activities as a group for the community at large.  Getting involved with this type of activity as a group can be a fun, interesting and a more rewarding experience. There are several volunteer/walk/run events to raise money for charities in the Rochester area and vicinity throughout the year. We will be participating in one such event this year - the Run for Hospice 5K walk/run/volunteer (including a fun run for children below 12) event that is organized by U of R Medical Center.  Proceeds from this event go to support the Visiting Nurse Hospice.  Please check out the details at runforhospice.com .The event date is 10/17/09.  Next year we can build on this experience and plan to attend more such activities that will keep us active, energized and healthy throughout the year. We are forming a committee to co-ordinate these and other volunteering/ charitable activities. Please let us know if you are interested in participating. As the saying goes it is in giving that we receive and the more we give, the more we receive. The person volunteering ends up benefiting more than the needy person receiving the help.

5. Christmas celebration on 12/12/09: The program will start promptly at 5:00 pm and end by 7:30 pm followed by Dinner.

Please save the dates, mark your calendar and plan to attend as many of the activities listed above as you possibly can. Please complete the membership/RSVP info form and mail to Anil Menon as indicated on the form by March 12, 2009.

Thank you all. Let us make this another fun and wonderful year. Yes. Together we can!

Tom Payyapilli