On September 20, 2025, the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California became the stage for the first-ever Volunteer Excellence Awards (VEA) ceremony. Organized by the Shah Happiness Foundation in collaboration with the American South Asian Network (ASAN), the ceremony recognized 12 remarkable individuals across four categories for their transformative service to the American community.
The awards were held during the long-running Anaheim Health Fair, which has provided free services to more than 80,000 people since 2007. The health fair offered a unique venue and backdrop to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of volunteers on a national platform. The Awards reached more than 4,000 US based 501c(3) nonprofit organizations.
Judges for the awards were ChaNelle Baines, Dr. Varun Gandhi, and Dr. Vijay Sood. The honors were presented by Manu Shah of the Shah Happiness Foundation, Dr. Nitin Shah of Anekant Community Center, and Congressman Lou Correa, underscoring the civic and philanthropic significance of the event.
Learn more at volunteerexcellenceawards.com.
Celebrating Winners Across Four Categories
Candidates were evaluated on six core areas:
- Duration of Service
- Impact
- Commitment
- Innovation & Leadership
- Community & Teamwork
- Alignment with Nonprofit Mission
21 Years and Under: Inspiring Youth Leadership
1st prize: Sriteja Kataru, VT Seva
2nd prize: Nived Lakshman, March for Teen Life (DBA for InspireYouth)
3rd prize: Charvi Desai, South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency
22–30 Years: Rising Changemakers
1st prize: Shreya Srivatsan, VT Seva
2nd prize: Mridula Vasudevan, VT Seva
3rd prize: Samriddhi Shahani, Girls Who Invest
31–50 Years: Transformative Leadership
1st prize: Harish Jaisankar, VT Seva
2nd prize: Atisha Varshney, AINAK
3rd prize: Nithin Jilla, Asian American Futures
51+ Years: Lifetime Impact
1st prize: Anita Sathe, South Asian Heart Center, El Camino Health Foundation
2nd prize: Rajshree Mudaliar, House of India
3rd prize: Narayana Janga, NorthSouth Foundation
2025 Finalists
Alongside the 12 winners, 16 finalists were recognized for their leadership and impact:
- Amara Grover, Illumination Health + Home (formerly Illumination Foundation)
- Avik Kumar, South Asian Helpline & Referral Agency
- Harman Kaur, South Asian Helpline & Referral Agency
- Isha Zaidi, South Asian Helpline & Referral Agency
- Simran Dandiwal, South Asian Helpline & Referral Agency
- Alaisha Singh, South Asian Helpline & Referral Agency
- Bhavya Yarlagadda, VT Seva
- Abhishikta (Abby) Pal, Wellth Living
- Desha Teja, Ashiyanaa
- Pradip K. Shukla, Society for Manufacturing Engineers, Los Angeles County Chapter #153
- Yatri Shukla, A Quarter Blue
- Devindra Chainani, Pratham USA
- Dr. Vaidyaya Mohan Reddy, MD, Saloni Heart Foundation
- Shuchi Marwaha, Ashiyanaa
- Uzma Khan, Tasveer
Prize Money Directly Benefits Nonprofit Organizations
In addition to recognition, the nonprofits these volunteers represent receive direct funding through the awards.
- 21 & Under Category: 1st prize nonprofit receives $3,500, 2nd prize $2,500, 3rd prize $1,500
- All Other Categories: 1st prize nonprofit receives $10,000, 2nd prize $5,000, 3rd prize $2,500
- Finalists’ Nonprofits: each receive $1,000
This ensures that the impact of the Volunteer Excellence Awards extends beyond recognition, directly strengthening the organizations these leaders serve.
Why These Awards Matter
The Volunteer Excellence Awards are more than recognition – they highlight how individual service can scale to national impact. From youth leaders using AI to seasoned advocates building preventive health systems, these honorees prove that volunteerism is innovation at work.
The Shah Happiness Foundation, led by Manu Shah, continues its mission to create joy through service. ASAN (American South Asian Network) builds platforms that empower communities across the US. Together, they have launched the Volunteer Excellence Awards as a national stage to honor the most impactful volunteers.
Looking Ahead
The inaugural Volunteer Excellence Awards not only celebrated today’s (s)heroes but also set a precedent for amplifying volunteer recognition nationwide. With thousands of nonprofits engaged and millions of lives touched, the platform is positioned to become the premier recognition program for community impact in the US.
For updates, stories, and upcoming volunteer spotlights, visit volunteerexcellenceawards.com.
