Help Bring Joy to Himalayan Elders: Fund the 12th Annual Pic

For over a decade, the Himalayan Elders Project (HEP) has been a nonprofit elder support initiative dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors of Tibetan and Himalayan origin in New York. Inspired by compassion and the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we provide a space for our Himalayan community elders to gather, practice dharma, socialize, and share their life stories. HEP began with a simple elders’ picnic in 2012 and has since grown into year-round Himalayan senior programs – but the annual summer picnic remains our most cherished event. Now in its 12th year, this four-day senior wellness retreat is truly the heart of our program and a vital source of happiness and healing for our elders.

Why This Picnic Matters for Our Seniors

Many of our elders endured hardship and exile from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and India. In New York City they often face loneliness, language barriers, and isolation. The annual picnic retreat is more than just a getaway; it’s essential for their physical and mental well-being. By bringing our seniors together in nature, we are preventing isolation and all the associated risks of depression and declining health in old age. For these four days, our elders regain a sense of community and belonging that sustains them long after they return home.

At the picnic, seniors experience a holistic blend of cultural, social, and wellness activities that rejuvenate body and spirit:

In short, this picnic retreat directly supports Tibetan seniors by keeping them active, happy, and engaged. It’s not just a vacation – it’s a proven program for senior wellness, community bonding, and cultural celebration. Our elders return home with brighter smiles, healthier bodies, and fuller hearts. Families report that their parents and grandparents are more energetic and optimistic after the retreat. This is why the picnic is often called “the highlight of the year” for our community’s seniors.

12th Annual Picnic: A Four-Day Wellness Retreat in the Mountains

When and Where: The 12th Annual Himalayan Elders Picnic will take place June 13–16, 2025 at the beautiful Palyul Retreat Center in McDonough, NY. Palyul is a serene Tibetan Buddhist retreat in upstate New York – a perfect sanctuary where our elders can feel close to the sacred Himalayan mountains in spirit. The elders will be surrounded by green hills, fresh air, and the peaceful sounds of nature, far away from the noise of the city.

Who Will Attend: We expect around 70 senior participants (primarily Tibetan and Himalayan elders living in the New York area) to attend this year’s retreat. They will be accompanied and cared for by about 20 dedicated volunteers, including Registered Nurses, professional cooks, cultural entertainers, care providers, and drivers. This compassionate team (many of whom are bilingual and understand the cultural needs of our elders) will be on-site 24/7 to ensure that every senior is safe, healthy, and enjoying themselves. Our volunteers’ commitment means seniors will have help with everything – from medical needs and mobility assistance to a hand to hold during a nature walk.

What Will Happen: Over the four days, our elders will follow a gentle schedule filled with nourishing activities. Mornings might begin with guided meditation or light exercise, followed by a hearty breakfast. During the day, seniors can participate in storytelling sessions, arts and crafts, or simply relax under the sun with friends. Afternoons may include a short hike or stroll to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the retreat center. In the evenings, we’ll have cultural entertainment – perhaps local Tibetan musicians performing traditional songs, or a talent show where the seniors themselves sing and dance. We’ll share delicious home-style meals together, prepared by cooks who know and love Himalayan cuisine (plenty of momos and thukpa soup to warm the heart!). The atmosphere is like a big family picnic in the mountains, where everyone is cared for and everyone belongs.

For many elders, this retreat is the only time of year they leave the city. It’s a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Himalayan traditions and Buddhist spiritual practice in a countryside setting. The positive impacts on their mental outlook, sense of independence, and physical health are immeasurable. This event truly embodies a “senior wellness retreat” – combining recreation, cultural enrichment, and health support in one life-affirming experience.

Why We Need Your Help – $13,000 Urgently Required

This year, we urgently need to raise $13,000 to make the 12th annual picnic retreat possible. HEP is a grassroots nonprofit with no big institutional funding – this fundraiser is the main source of support for the picnic. Your contribution will directly translate into transportation, food, and care for our elders. Without help from compassionate community members like you, we simply cannot cover the costs to host this retreat. And without the retreat, dozens of seniors would miss out on an experience that sustains their well-being all year.

How Your Donation Will Be Used: Every dollar we raise goes directly toward the expenses of the event. We practice full transparency in our budgeting. Here’s what the $13,000 will cover:

Charter Bus Transportation (Round-trip) is around $6000 the rest goes for: Accommodation & Venue Costs, Groceries, Professional Cook, On-Site Transportation, Gas and Miscellaneous Supplies. (If you’d like a detailed breakdown or receipts for any item, we are happy to provide that upon request.)

We have planned carefully and $13,000 is the minimum needed to run this retreat at full capacity. Our budget is lean – many volunteers donate their time and even materials – but we don’t want to cut any corners when it comes to elder care and safety. Your donation will directly pay for these essentials.

Should we exceed the goal, any extra funds will go toward enhancing the seniors’ experience (e.g. additional activities or future senior programs). And if we fall short, we will unfortunately have to scale back parts of the program, meaning fewer seniors could attend or some activities might be cut. That’s why your support right now is so critical.

Transparency and Trust: Himalayan Elders Project is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We believe in complete accountability for how we use donor funds. We will document the use of all funds for this event and can provide receipts for major expenses.

After the picnic, we plan to share an update (with photos and stories!) showing exactly what your generosity made possible. Donors can feel confident that their contribution to this nonprofit elder support project truly goes toward helping the elders. We treat every donation as a sacred trust to honor our elders.

How You Can Help – Be Part of This Compassionate Mission

Donate: We humbly ask for your support to reach our $13,000 goal. No amount is too small – whether you can give $10 or $1,000, every dollar brings us closer to making this retreat a reality. Your gift will directly support Tibetan seniors and other Himalayan elders who deeply deserve this opportunity. By contributing, you are showing love and respect to the elders of a community that has given so much of its culture and wisdom to the world. You are helping to give back to them in their golden years.

Spread the Word: Even if you cannot contribute financially, you can still help immensely by sharing this campaign with others. Please share on social media, email, or word of mouth with friends, family, and anyone interested in Tibetan culture, Buddhism, senior care or community service. The more people who hear about our cause, the better chance we have to meet our urgent goal. Together, we can reach those who care about Himalayan community elders and encourage them to help.

Offline Donations: We also welcome donations outside of this GoFundMe. If you prefer to donate by check or cash, you can donate in person or mail a check (payable to Himalayan Elders Project) to: Himalayan Elders Project, 41-01 75th St, Queens, NY 11373. We will gladly add any offline donations to the campaign total and update our progress.

For any questions about offline giving, receipts, or other ways to contribute, please contact us directly. (We can be reached via our website or Facebook page for more information.) Time is of the essence. The retreat is only a few weeks away, and many logistical arrangements (booking buses, securing the venue, purchasing food) must be paid in advance. We are working hard planning the event, but we truly need your financial support to make it happen.

Your prompt donation will ensure that no elder gets left behind due to lack of funds.

Heartfelt Thanks & Final Thoughts: This 12th annual picnic is more than a trip; it’s a celebration of our elders’ resilience, our culture’s endurance, and the compassion of those who support them. By donating, you become a part of our HEP family and our tradition of caring for the elders as cherished jewels of our community. You are helping to create precious memories — the sight of elders singing in joy, the sound of their laughter echoing in the mountains, and the tears of gratitude in their eyes knowing that their community values and loves them.

On behalf of Himalayan Elders Project and all the seniors we serve, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity. Let’s come together to support Tibetan seniors and make the 12th Annual Himalayan Elders Picnic a beautiful reality. With your help, we can give back to our elders the happiness and peace they so greatly deserve. Donate today and help us bring joy, wellness, and dignity to our Himalayan elders – we cannot do it without you. With deepest gratitude,

The Himalayan Elders Project Team