SPOKANE--Serve Washington has selected Sindhu Surapeneni as a recipient of the 2024 Washington State Volunteer Service Awards for the state's Northeast Region. The Northeast region includes Ferry, Stevens, Pend Orielle, Lincoln and Spokane counties.
Surapaneni's award recognizes her service as a young philanthropist. The 15-year-old Spokane resident is an art instructor, henna artist, Bollywood dance instructor and math tutor.
She uses her personal lived experience as an Indian American to create art on diversity and inclusion. She believes that every child should feel loved, valued and accepted for who they are. She has used her passion for art to create change. When she was 11, she began teaching art classes online during the pandemic as a creative outlet for kids after schools became remote. In the years that followed, Surapaneni began offering workshops and selling her artwork, donating more than $22,000 to local charities that support low-income families and people experiencing homelessness.
In 2023, she used the money made from her henna art sales and math tutoring to support charitable organizations like Toys for Tots and Family Promise of Spokane. She also used it to purchase bedding for Sleep in Heavenly Peace; pajama sets for Embrace Washington and warm clothing to Jewels Helping Hands.
She's also active in the Indian Youth Club of Spokane. Through this organization, she shares Indian culture, dance, food and traditions at community fairs and other events. She also teaches Bollywood dance lessons to community members for free.
The first time Surapaneni used her talents to raise money for charities made her feel so fulfilled she wanted to continue.
"If you're helping others, there's no way you won't feel good about it," Surapaneni said. "Realizing that your passion can make a difference in people's lives keeps you going. It's great to see that you're making a difference. Once I started helping people, it pushed me to want to help even more people. The more you do for others, the happier you will be."
