How One Family Is Raising the Next Generation of Givers

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree the Dakwala-Shah Family. Read their story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

For Chirag and Neha Dakwala-Shah, service isn’t just a weekend activity. It’s a foundational value they’re passing down through generations. Having volunteered since their own youth, the couple felt a deep responsibility to instill that same spirit of getting involved, in their children, Nikita (age 10) and Damian (age 7). A few years ago, the family discovered The Honeycomb Project, an organization that became the catalyst for their hands-on journey through Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Whether they are engaging in Drumming with Seniors in Bronzeville or packing supplies for local schools, the family treats every project as a lesson in empathy and community connection.

One of the family’s most cherished traditions is working at the Ravenswood Food Pantry, where the children are often found right on the front lines. Neha recalls a particularly biting Chicago morning when the temperature plummeted to a frigid 25 degrees. Despite the bitter cold, 7-year-old Damian refused to head inside for warmth. This moment of resilience proved to Neha that no one is too young to understand the weight of food insecurity or the power of a helping hand.

The Dakwala-Shahs’ impact also extends to board service and strategic advocacy. Neha serves as a board member for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, working to ensure equitable representation for the next generation. Their commitment to youth empowerment is reflected in their support for organizations like Chicago Debates, High Jump and Once Upon Our Time Capsule, all of which focus on academic enrichment and skill development. By balancing physical labor with high-level leadership, Chirag and Neha are showing their children that change happens both on the street corner and in the boardroom.

Their reach is global, as the family provides critical support to the Dabhoi Community Foundation and Manav Sadhnha, organizations dedicated to global community education, job placement and essential aid. By supporting cultural preservation and training programs abroad while maintaining a steady presence at home, the Dakwala-Shah family proves that a commitment to humanity transcends borders and generations.

What inspired you to get started with Honeycomb?

Neha: The reason we went to Honeycomb is that we were looking for a way for our children to get involved with community service within the community in a way that was seamless. Our children had so many activities, but we were still able to get involved. The Honeycomb Project makes it so easy and rewarding. It’s really like matchmaking. You can do anything from food pantry and clothing sorting to cooking. We also volunteered at a senior community where we played music, brought food and played games. Everything was very family-oriented. A lot of volunteer opportunities don’t allow young children, and this was very much about getting the family involved. If we had a free weekend, we could just go onto the website and find opportunities. That’s how we started to get involved, and we loved the organization so much that we have contributed financially as well.

What project has been most memorable?

The food packing. I don’t even know if I would say it’s the favorite, but it’s the most memorable because it’s not easy, especially for kids. They’re doing labor and they’re not used to it, but I will say, without question, it’s the most rewarding. It’s the one they still talk about today. They’ll ask to go back and say, “Are we going to go give groceries?” They are unpacking, sorting and then distributing it to the actual people who are there for the groceries, so it’s end-to-end. And that being able to see the fruits of their labor has definitely been the most impactful.

What are your long-term plans or goals for volunteering as a family?

Wherever we can continue with Honeycomb, we will, and we have already expanded more. Honeycomb is great for that because they teach your kids about how great it is to volunteer, and then they are open to doing this for other organizations.

We do a lot of volunteer work outside of Honeycomb as well, especially with organizations affiliated with India. We took our kids to India a couple of years ago and we partner very closely with a couple of nonprofits out there; the kids have volunteered at many different youth community centers through that. Long-term, it’s just about continuing to expose them to this type of work, knowing that we can help financially, but that the time spent volunteering is also really important. Being able to see how different people live is vital.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

For me, it’s about connecting to the cause. Writing a check is so important because people need financial resources, but when you actually get to see where the money, the labor, the time and the effort is going, you feel more connected—not just to the cause, but to the community. It gives you perspective on how lucky you are that you don’t need to go to a food bank or that you can buy your own clothes. It takes you outside of yourself. We can all get very caught up in our own lives, schoolwork, sports and friends, but volunteering helps you realize there is something bigger out there and shows you how rewarding it is to think outside of yourself.

Knowing that we’re helping others and seeing the kids’ reactions is wonderful, but the most rewarding part is connecting with people. It is being able to actually have conversations with people you don’t necessarily interact with on a daily basis. Helping them feels really good. The most rewarding part is just the feeling you have that you’re connecting with and helping your community.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

In terms of lessons learned, a big one is the value of time. Giving time can be harder than giving money, and carving out that time is really hard, but it is so important.
Our kids are just more conscious now. Especially my son—he doesn’t want to waste anything and he is always thoughtful. He’ll say things like, “We have an extra cereal box; if we can’t use it, can we give it to someone?” If they see someone on the street, they’ll give up all their food or their snacks for them.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Just do it once. I really believe Honeycomb is one of those gems because they make it so simple and there is no commitment. Oftentimes, if you commit to certain places, you may feel like you have to stick with them, but Honeycomb gives you variety so you can find what connects with you. If you can find a way to just do it once, you can understand the impact you can make with your time and your energy. Don’t overthink it; just say yes. It’s like exercise—if you want to get something done, just do it once and see what happens. It’s not as difficult or as intimidating as you think it is.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Volunteering is fun. It’s such a fun activity and some of the best memories we have as a family are from volunteering. Whether you do it with family, friends or alone to meet other people, there is a lot you can get out of it. It’s a really positive experience.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like the Dakwala-Shah Family? Find local volunteer opportunities.