Seva supporters Sharon Hansen (left) and Terrie Velasquez (right)
To know Terrie Velasquez is to know goodness
In the early 70s, a series of experiences – from reading Ram Dass’s “Be Here Now,” to being a fan of The Grateful Dead, to learning about Wavy Gravy – led Terrie Velasquez to Seva. She’s a firm believer in giving back to communities, and for her, the stars aligned with Seva.
“I knew that Seva worked in many countries, and I knew Seva held many of my own personal values. SEVA = selfless service.”
“We can make a difference and have fun doing it!” – Wavy Gravy
Mark your calendar and get ready for the event of the year!
On May 7th, we’re celebrating everyone’s favorite hippie icon, flower geezer, temple of accumulated error, and Seva Co-Founder Wavy Gravy’s 87th birthday – and you’re invited to join the festivities!
You already know that love sparks a lot of goodness. When we sprinkle it around, and put our love into action, the world becomes better. And you do it through Seva everyday! Did you know that many of the ‘Originals’ who jump started our mission were also couples in love? The love they carried for each other was put into action towards a greater cause – spreading joy.
This Valentine’s Day, meet a few of these Seva Sweethearts:
Art is transformative – it enables us to see the world through a new lens and make a difference through it.
William Wolk, a talented artist, soul, and friend of Seva, knew this firsthand. His realistic portraits of former U.S. Presidents, the Dalai Lama, and Paramahansa Yogananda, among others, can be found in archives, museums, and private collections around the world. Sadly, in May, Wolk passed away after an enduring and brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Marie.
And we’re back…with another Seva Quiz! Ever wonder about the people, places, and solutions that guide our work? Well, look no further! We asked our team, dug our archives, and have a brand new & fun game of trivia to see how well you know the magic that makes Seva possible.
We take the work seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously! Seva Co-Founders Wavy Gravy & Jahanara Romney – a dynamic duo, hippie icons, and pair of saints – taught us that. They’ve dedicated their lives to public service, activism, and spreading unconditional joy.
Over Valentine’s Day weekend, Seva supporters spread the love in the most memorable way possible – through music, fun, and festivities!
From February 11-14, we held our popular Sing Out For Seva Quarantine Concert – A Valentine’s Special, featuring never before seen archival footage from past benefit concerts. Viewers tuned in from all over the world and sang along to Crosby & Nash, Joan Baez & David Grisman, Jason Mraz, Los Lobos, Bob Weir & Steve Kimock, and many more star-studded performances. The one and only Wavy Gravy hosted the concert and also featured special guests Rising Appalachia, Elvin Bishop, and Dumpstaphunk.
Photo: Rising Appalachia for Seva’s 3rd Virtual Quarantine Concert: Sing Out for Seva!
From March 26-28, musicians, singers, and supporters gathered together online for our annual “Sing Out for Seva” concert. For three wonderful days, artists helped raise funds for Seva’s programs and threw a bright, beautiful celebration of all we’ve managed to accomplish this year. On popular demand, the concert streaming was extended till April 11th. This was the third virtual concert benefiting Seva that has taken place since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
AGILITY – I’ve been thinking about the meaning of this word lately. Thinking quickly, under pressure, and needing to make skillful decisions. Every one of us is agile these days.
I’m proud of the agility I see in my team and our partners here in the US and across the globe. Over the past several months, as the world changed, we leaned into our core values of compassion in action, equity, and respect. By doing so, we were able to support those in need. We saw agility in the form of innovations in telemedicine, new safety protocols, and diagnosing patients remotely.
While we understand the work we do is serious, we don’t take ourselves seriously. This wisdom is the gift from one of our most beloved co-founders, Wavy Gravy. He celebrated his birthday earlier this year under quarantine and via a live stream concert. His opening welcome was videotaped at his home, and the footage used was pulled from earlier shows.