TriState Highlights

Two Montgomery residents give back to the community

 It’s always good to instill selflessness in children, especially at a young age, which is exactly what Montgomery residents Ash Bhatnagar and Nidhi Goel have done and are continuing to do with their two daughters, Priya and Reva. 

Thirteen-year-old Priya and 10-year-old Reva have been giving back to people who are less fortunate than themselves by donating to several charities for years. 

Each year, Priya and Reva dedicate two of every child’s most anticipated and celebrated holidays – their birthdays and Halloween – to helping others. 

They both participate in an initiative known as “Donate Your Birthday,” where they ask their friends and relatives to donate money to a charity foundation of their choice in place of giving them presents. They both have chosen to donate to the Diabetes Association, which holds special significance to both of them. 

“I chose the Diabetes Association because my mom has diabetes, as well as my friend Allison,” Priya said. “Last year, I donated to St. Jude’s Hospital, but I pretty much have done the Diabetes Foundation every year, except last year.” 

Priya also explained how she and Reva began to donate to local organizations for Halloween annually about three years ago. 

“At school, we put a bucket out, and we ask people to donate some of their Halloween candy,” she said. “All of that candy goes to the Trenton Soup Kitchen, so everyone gets some candy. We started that when I was in fifth grade, and I did it this year with my Interact Club. I introduced it to them, and we’re going to do it again next year.” 

Since Priya and Reva were looking for other outlets to donate other than their birthdays and Halloween, their dad suggested that they start doing something at Montgomery’s fireworks event, which is when they chose to focus on donating to a cause known as Operation Homefront. 

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