Ruchita Zaparde, 18, Plainsboro, N.J. has been named a
2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards (Help and Lead Others) Honoree for her inspirational work with the non-profit organization Sew a Future, which provides sewing machines to widows with young children in rural India. After a family trip to India exposed Ruchita to the plight of widows and the difficulties they faced, she started Sew A Future to help those women achieve financial stability by becoming seamstresses. Zaparde identifies widows in need in India, delivers sewing machines and supplies, and connects the kids who are fundraising in the U.S. to the recipients. Over 200 families have been raised out of poverty with the gift of a sewing machine, thanks to the fundraising efforts of over 1400 students in 30 states. You can read a full bio, plus interviews with Ruchita and Jay Schmalholz, Senior Vice President (SVP) of events and live shows for Nickelodeon,
here on NJ.com.
Ruchita Zaparde, at right, with Meena, an Indian widow who received a Sew A Future sewing machine, and the woman's daughter. ((C) Ruchita Zaparde)
Watch Ruchita receive her honor at the must-see concert event of the season, the 2015 HALO Awards, hosted by Nick Cannon, premiering Sunday, November 29th at 7pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA, TeenNick, Nicktoons, TV Land, CMT, Nick.com and the Nick App! For more information about the 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards and Ruchita's work, visit
nick.com/halo-awards and
sewafuture.org. Congratulations on your award, Ruchita!!
Sew A Future - Meet our Beneficiary! from Sew A Future on Vimeo.
Additional source: Town Topics.
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