Today, we are returning to episodes #10 and #11 from the Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight podcast featuring Under My Umbrella.
Grassroots Beginnings
Under My Umbrella is a 501 (C) 3 community service organization founded by mom and philanthropist, Christina Cheng, and her two young sons, Ishaan Cheng-Patel and Avinash Cheng-Patel.
While these young Good Samaritans are currently in high school and middle school, respectively, their ambitions to service began long ago.
As a mom, Christina recognized early the value of instilling empathy and kindness in her boys from a young age. Yet, finding service opportunities for young children presented a challenge. Undeterred, the mom made a way to include her children in her outreach efforts, often coming up with projects on her own to give her boys real-world experiences.
After a disheartening encounter with an unsheltered man near her place of work, Christina and her boys came up with a plan. Their plan grew into a hobby which gave birth to their nonprofit, Under My Umbrella. (To learn more about Christina’s story, check out our blog post here.)
World Changers
Before long, word spread of the family’s community service. And their “little project” grew in a big way.
From her early beginnings volunteering in homeless shelters with her children, to handing out bottles of water, hygiene essentials, hot coffee, warm blankets, and nonperishable food items, Christina’s efforts began to draw attention.
In 2022, Christina’s name was suggested by friend and “big sister” Rosalind Bryant, founder of Helping Hands Open Hearts (a Dallas nonprofit), for honor and recognition at the Inspiring Women’s Gala.
Ever humble, Christina recounted how she looked around the room filled with successful women – small business owners, nonprofit founders, and prominent social media influencers, and thought, “I don’t belong here.”
The Inspiring Women’s Gala, July 2022
The Inspiring Women’s Gala July 2022
Thankfully, the “imposter syndrome” did not last long. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement, Christina felt inspired by the camaraderie of the room. Women united together in a common goal, service.
Ever humble, Christina revealed it was this event that gave her the push she needed to finally file for nonprofit status for her family’s “little service project.”
We believe that hard work, consistency, and mutual respect has formed the foundation for Under My Umbrella. We say that it is indeed hard work but it is most definitely “heart work.”
Christina Cheng, Co-founder, Under My Umbrella
The hard work of their “heart work” has helped not only nurture two young men but also inspired their supporters to help change the world, one random act of kindness at a time.
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and would like to support Under My Umbrella, you can contact Christina Cheng through her website – www.under-my-umbrella.org.
Consider donating to their Neighbor Outreach Program, a program providing food, clothing, and other essentials to unsheltered/vulnerable communities weekly. You can support them with a click of your mouse through their Amazon Wishlist.
Maybe you would like to support their UMU Youth Academy, an equitable access to sports, arts, and music program established in 2023.
Perhaps you would like to support their Rainy Day Fund, a program to fill in the gaps for small specific needs, such as school supplies for a family, bus fare for a medical appointment, or interview clothing.
To make a monetary contribution to one of the above-mentioned categories, see below:
Paypal:UnderMyUmbrellaDFW@gmail.com
CashApp:$UnderMyUmbrellaDFW
Zelle:UnderMyUmbrellaDFW@gmail.com
Paypal:UnderMyUmbrellaDFW@gmail.com
Holiday Helpers
Love helping around the holidays? Consider participating in their Holiday Outreach Program, a program meant to spread love to children at a shelter and seniors at an assisted living facility through their Build-A-Tree and Light-A-Menorah projects.
UMU’s Holiday Outreach was established in 2015 when little seven-year-old Ishaan wondered about the kids at the shelter who would not be able to decorate a Christmas tree of their own. The family brainstormed and decided to purchase mini trees so that each family could have a tree to decorate together.
In 2015, UMU hosted its first Build-A-Tree holiday event and has done it every year since. In 2022, UMU was made aware of a Jewish family residing at a local shelter. The event was expanded to the Build-A-Tree/Light-A-Menorah Project.
For more information on how you can support UMU’s Holiday Outreach Program click here.
Want To Know More?
Check out our previous podcast episodes where we chat with Christina about the wonderful nonprofit she created with her boys, Avi and Ishaan. Listen as Christina shares personal anecdotes, words of wisdom, and stories of inspiration to help you cultivate a servant’s heart in your home.
Under My Umbrella – IOH’s The Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight Podcast Ep 10
Under My Umbrella’s Christina Cheng (Part 2) – IOH’s The Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight Podcast Ep 11
Let’s Keep In Touch
Be sure you do not miss a blog post by signing up for my email list, liking my Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, or subscribing to my YouTube channel.
Like what you see here? Sharing is caring!
Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
“If you never had to stand up to something – to get up, to be knocked down, and to get up again – life can walk over you wearing football cleats. But each time you do get up, you’re bigger, taller, finer, more beautiful, more kind, more understanding, more loving. Each time you get up, you’re more inclusive. More people can stand under your umbrella.”
Maya Angelou
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
