BAPS Charities raises just over $5,000 for Brunswick safety services

BRUNSWICK — BAPS Charities presented a check worth $5,001 to the city of Brunswick to be used for its safety services during a dedication ceremony at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Brunswick on Saturday. A Mandir is a Hindu place of worship. Varsha Patel said BAPS came to Brunswick in 1996, and around 300 to 350 people worship there each week. "We've been in this city for 30 years, and they've always been very supportive," she said. BAPS Charities hosts walkathons throughout the United States and Canada to raise money for different causes. Patel said the most recent local walkathon took place in June at Oak Grove park in Brecksville with around 350 walkers. Walkers reached out to different sponsors to collect funds to give back to the community, she said. The city of Brunswick was selected as the beneficiary this year, so funds raised from the walk will benefit the city's fire department and police department. "They're always there to support us and the different events that we have," Patel said. "They're always helping us, supporting us, protecting us, so it's a good cause." Patel said the gurus who built the temple have always been guiding people to support the community, be part of the community and be a good citizen. "Little kids, when they are part of community events like this and are helping to raise funds, they learn their civic duty," she said. "It's a collective effort to support each other and be a better community." The city of Brunswick has not yet officially announced what the donated funds will be used for. "On behalf of the men and women of the Division of Police as well as the Division of Fire, I just want to say thank you," Police Chief Robert Safran said. "All of you have been so welcoming." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.