Picnic June 7 or 14

About

Message from the HGAofCPA leadership...

Greetings!

We are very humbled and honored to take the leadership of HGAofCPA, a nonprofit organization under IRC Section 501 (c) (3) which promotes cultural, charitable and educational programs. We aim to maintain, enhance, understand and appreciate Gujarati culture and language; preserve Gujarati heritage by celebrating various Gujarati events/holidays; encourage friendship among members with entertainment and sporting events; educate youth about Gujarati customs. To promote these goals, HGAofCPA holds many events, including Gujarati Plays, Diwali, Navratri, Motivational Speech, Picnics, etc. HGAofCPA follows the following three principles:

Connect – Provides socializing opportunity that demonstrates the traditional and cultural wealth that encourages people to remain connected with Gujaratis in Central PA and the surrounding area.

Educate – Conduct events throughout the year, in which people get the opportunity to learn and explore about Gujarati culture and customs using socializing with others and by participating in various activities.

Celebrate – Celebrate various Gujarati festivals and invite everyone including all non-Gujaratis to join and participate.

We want all Gujarati youth to come together and support our organization. We urge them to commit by volunteering or joining our various program committees. We are very thankful to all committee members, volunteers and sponsors; it is impossible to operate without them.

Let's connect, educate and celebrate!

HGAofCPA Leadership Team

Mission

The primary mission of HGAofCPA is to promote the teachings and values of Gujarati culture and heritage from the Indian state of Gujarat, which has a rich history spanning over 5,000 years, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Below are key aspects of the association's mission:

HGAofCPA preserves and promotes Gujarat's core traditions and cultural heritage within the greater South-Central Pennsylvania community.
To celebrate significant events and festivals in alignment with traditional Gujarati practices.
To organize and host lectures, seminars, and cultural education classes for children, youth, and adults, along with other related programs.
To encourage cultural awareness while fostering unity and harmony within the community.
To collaborate with other Asian American organizations, local institutions, and the HARI community, working together on common goals to enhance the success of programs and events that benefit society.
To build relationships with other local organizations to promote diversity, respect, and understanding, ensuring harmony within the community.
To offer educational resources and scholarships based on merit or need.
To assist local and global communities during times of natural disasters or pandemics.

Our Team

History of Association

In the early 1980s, a small group of Gujarati families from Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Hershey, and Grantville, Pennsylvania, laid the groundwork for what would become the Gujarati Samaj. Their shared goal was to preserve and promote the Gujarati culture, language, and traditions. These families came together to celebrate festivals and uphold traditions, often meeting at private homes or local public spaces like the HARI temple or nearby churches. By the 1990s, the community had grown significantly, prompting association leaders and volunteers to organize large-scale cultural events and festivals. Today, this same group has evolved into the Harrisburg Gujarati Association of Central Pennsylvania (HGAofCPA), a nonprofit community organization.

Harrisburg Gujarati Association is reorganized as HGAofCPA and formally used to be known as Harrisburg Gujarati Samaj or Gujarati Samaj of Harrisburg Or ગુજરાતી સમાજ

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