Helping Others at Home and Abroad

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Nishith Sadu. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Since 2022, 18-year-old Nishith Sadu has held many roles at PURE Youth, an organization that addresses the urgent needs of children facing poverty and other hardships. From volunteer to chapter director, Nishith has led and assisted with many projects in more than 500 lifetime volunteering hours.

He’s been involved with many school supply, toy, clothing and food drives. He’s aided local conservation efforts and recruited friends to grow the impact. Now, as a national student youth director, Nishith supports 30 chapters with 300+ middle and high school student volunteers nationwide, driving national initiatives forward.

Unsurprisingly, his empathy extends to those who need help across the world as well. In three years, he’s helped raise $8,000 to rebuild roofs and ceilings for schools in India and South Africa. He’s sent 400+ pairs of sneakers to kids in Kenya and used $1,000-worth of bake sale money to buy kids in Barbados and Uganda wheelchairs. His work supports necessities for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Outside of PURE Youth, Nishith brings joy to his community through Bollywood dance as both a member of a troupe–he has performed at Houston Rockets halftime shows!–and as the founder of a school club. Leading with compassion and enthusiasm, he engages others in building community and making the world a kinder place.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Something that helps me ground myself is the purpose that I’m volunteering for. For example, sometimes the goal is to raise money to fund or build schools that will create educational opportunities in rural areas. Keeping that in mind drives me.

Tell us about your volunteer role with PURE Youth.

Originally, I joined as an ambassador or a volunteer. About two years later, I became a chapter director, meaning that I’d lead our chapter and coordinate volunteers. I came up with project proposals and ensured our chapter was raising enough money and hosting service projects benefitting our local community, like park cleanups. We also did civic engagement activities with a local fire department.

I was later named a national student youth director, which is essentially a chapter director role but on a national level. We come up with different projects, communicating our ideas and plans to chapter directors and all of the ambassadors. We train and mentor chapter directors, host orientations for new volunteers and do outreach to local businesses.

I’ve also been working towards becoming an Eagle Scout since second grade. I recently conducted an initiative using my interest in computer science and technology to create STEM kits.

Working with people more experienced with electronics, I put together about 30 different kits. We made instruction manuals for each and had volunteers test them to see if they could make the projects properly. Then, we gave them to underserved children in the community at a local event I coordinated with another organization.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

When I was in eighth grade, a few people from my community found Pure Youth and wanted to start a chapter. My mom got that information to me, and I expressed interest in joining. I’ve been volunteering ever since.

What have been some of your favorite initiatives?

One of the ones that stuck with me the most was a local chapter initiative to make a bookshelf for a local temple. We fundraised and collected books for visitors to read. It was the first project I’d ever led, and I learned a lot about communicating and making sure everyone was focused.

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

One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences was leading PUREthon, a nationwide 2K/5K walk/run organized and facilitated by all our chapters at the same time. Our goal was to raise awareness for femme care and period poverty. My job was to ensure every chapter had the tools, guidance and motivation to execute successfully.

It required a lot of coordination. I worked with social media managers from each chapter to promote the event and share venue details. I helped chapters prepare for contingencies like bad weather, secure supplies and accommodate children and seniors.
I saw firsthand how a shared mission can unite diverse teams and how leadership can spark impact. Chapters that had never hosted a public event before started engaging their communities.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

It was really hard for me to communicate with others until I became a leader. It took me stepping out of my shell, and it has helped me get comfortable voicing my opinions. There were days when I felt like I wasn’t making a difference, but to be able to attribute some of our results to my actions has given me confidence that I’m capable of doing something for the greater good.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Gandhi once said something like, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Hoping change will happen won’t actually create change. It’s when you start to take things into your own hands that you’ll start seeing it. Having the opportunity to do so can be very fulfilling.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Don’t hesitate. I’ve been able to learn a lot about leadership, fundraising and marketing. It’s not just about creating impact. There are a lot of things you take away from the experience.

I think the best way to get involved is to ask your friends if they’re part of any organizations. You can also get involved in your high school’s initiatives. They’re a good introduction and one of the easier ways to get started.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Everyone has the ability to create impact. Take time out of your day to do something to help others, even if it’s small. It’ll build character and confidence in your abilities, and it’ll give you fulfillment.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Nishith? Find local volunteer opportunities.