As two Coppell high school students witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on others, they were moved to offer a helping hand to their neighbors.
Meghana Chinta and Dilan Patel were fortunate to have many friends who shared the same giving spirit. The pair realized that if they all came together, they could significantly impact their communities. That idea blossomed into Operation Serve DFW, an organization dedicated to serving others in the local community.
Two of the nonprofit’s most successful ongoing programs include WeServe, which focuses on general community service, and Operation Earth, which focuses on environmental-based services.
One of the group’s most recent initiatives through the Operation Earth program was a tote bag project.
The teens purchased 50 eco-friendly tote bags to promote reusability and reduce waste, 25 of which were hand-painted and sold for $5 each. The teens filled the remaining 25 bags with hygiene products and food, which they purchased with the profits from the sale of the painted totes, and the filled totes were donated to the Dallas Life Homeless Shelter.
Nidhi Shashi, one of the leaders at Operation Serve DFW, says she joined the nonprofit to make a difference in the lives of others.
“They did such an incredible job [of] creating projects that not only benefited our environment but spread awareness of certain issues that needed attention brought to them. That encouraged me to run for the leader of an offshoot of the program, Operation Earth,” says Shashi.
Operation Earth was recognized by the Keep Coppell Beautiful organization for its support and care for the community.
The good vibes quickly spread, and Operation Serve DFW grew from eight original members to 40. The group recently added a WeServe chapter in Plano.
WeServe organizes clothing and book drives, writes appreciation cards to essential workers, holds virtual walks, raises money for other organizations, and participates in community service projects.
The nonprofit also includes Operation Gains, an initiative focusing on health and wellness.
Patel achieved national recognition as a powerlifter with USAPL, and he and his fellow athletes are committed to making a difference by promoting healthy lifestyles.
Operation Gains offers a simple program for those who want to lose or gain weight, add muscle, or maintain a healthy lifestyle. The teens created the program with collaborator Duke Tang, a personal trainer and USAPL competitor.
Click here to learn more about Operation Serve DFW and upcoming events.
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