“Service is the means of attaining liberation. Therefore, you should serve society, help the poor and needy in distress and thus manifest the human quality of compassion. By doing selfless service to people, you are doing selfless service to God”.
~ Sathya Sai Baba
About the Service Wing
The goal of the Service Wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Toronto – York is to provide opportunities to serve with love and humility to all those in need. By participating in these activities, volunteers are able to become more aware of the oneness of humanity and the divine essence that is within all of us. Even in small increments, this is a process that transforms us into our true selves – which is love itself.
Within the GTA there are many opportunities to conduct meaningful activities to help the less fortunate. Poverty and hunger is widespread and allow us to serve through preparing and serving food and providing daily necessities. For our elderly population, we offer a listening ear or some musical entertainment to give them company and a moment to feel connected to another human being. Bringing a smile to lonely hearts is a simple yet profound act of kindness that can go a long way for both the recipient and the person conducting the service.
Service Activities
The Toronto-York Service team carries out two specific types of activities, categorized under External (in the community) and Internal (within the Sai Centre) service.
External Service Opportunities
One Time Projects – Service projects that are undertaken on once or twice in a calendar year. Such projects include:
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Tree Planting to preserve Mother Earth
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Blood Donation
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Clothing Drive
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Gifts for the elderly at the Nursing Home
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Building Homes through Habitat for Humanity
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Aiding in Flood, Earthquake and other disaster relief
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Distribution of Blankets and other warm clothes in winter
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Distribution of Christmas gifts for the less fortunate
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Cleaning of local community parks to preserve Mother Earth.
Ongoing Projects – Service projects that are undertaken on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. Such projects include:
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Singing and Entertaining to the Residents at the Nursing Homes
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Collect Non-Perishable Food for Food Banks
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Wheelchair Cleaning at Long Term Care and Physically Challenged Community.
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Prepare, cook and serve food to the Homeless and people of need
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Organize and distribute soup and sandwiches to the homeless
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Volunteer time and service at the Women’s shelter
Internal Service Opportunities
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Centre Cleaning (Weekly)
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Ushering (Mens and Ladies)
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Special Event Set Up
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Garden Maintenance
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Support Building Management Group with Maintenance and Repairs
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Parking attendants and safety monitors
“Service to Man is Service to God. Man is not merely a human body, he is an embodiment of the divine. All acts of service done are treated as service rendered unto God.”
~ Sathya Sai Baba
How to get involved
We welcome all. Please feel free contact us for more information if –
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You have an interest or desire to serve
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You are keen to help the less fortunate
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You have a longing to feed the hungry
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You enjoy preparing food parcels and deliver to the homeless
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You wish to put a smile on the face of a lonely, vulnerable elder.
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You find happiness in cleaning wheelchairs of those impaired by health or immobility.
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You want to be a part of a caring and selfless Team