By Parveen Chopra
Edison, NJ: FeTNA (Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America) has honored Mrs. Kanchana Poola and Jagadeesan ‘Jack’ Poola with the prestigious Lifetime Philanthropy Award at its 39th Convention over the July 4 weekend in Edison, New Jersey.
The award cited the Poolas’ “exemplary philanthropy, unwavering generosity over the years, and steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting Tamil culture”.
Though the philanthropist couple could not attend the ceremony in person, Mrs Poola said that this honor means a lot to her and her family. She added, “FeTNA is a cause close to our hearts, so we have been steadfast supporters since its beginning. However, this journey has never been mine alone. I wish to recognize the countless volunteers, leaders, and supporters whose dedication helped shape FeTNA into what it is today.”
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio presented the plaque honoring Kanchana and Jagadeesan Poola as The South Asian Times - Couple of the Decade in the presence of the 3 Poola children Amudha, Anusuya and Anand, as well as Ravi Bhooplapur, and Kamlesh and Nimmi Mehta. The felicitation was held during FeTNA’s 35th convention in Edison, NJ in July 2022.
The Poolas’ altruistic service and contributions, however, are not confined to Tamil heritage. They have made immense contributions to several causes and community organizations for decades in India and the USA, as chronicled by The South Asian Times in a special edition in July 2022 featuring Kanchana and Jagadeesan Poola as Couple of the Decade.
Kanchana and Jack Poola were featured as The South Asian Times - Couple of the Decade in a special edition in July 2022.
Calling them the ‘hidden gems of the Indian community in New York’, The South Asian Times highlighted how the Poolas’ support for education, healthcare and religious institutions such as the Ganesh Temple in Flushing has impacted the lives of thousands of individuals and families. Their largest contributions have been to the Xavier School of Medicine, Aruba, for a new residential block and Harvard Tamil Chair. Jagadeesan Poola, who built a successful business in fabrics, has given generously to his alma maters, Madras Christian College in Chennai and PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. Mrs Poola is on the board of the Iowa-based Life Health Charities Foundation, which helps physically challenged children and the underprivileged in India.
An entire residential block for students is named after the Poola couple at Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, acknowledging their 7-figure donation.
Long-time residents of Old Westbury on Long Island, the Poolas have supported various initiatives of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South, and donated to A Lotus In The Mud wellness and spirituality magazine. In 2016, Rotary International Dist. 7255 and in 2019, Indo American Press Club honored them with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The Indo-American Press Club honored Kanchana Poola with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2029 in Hicksville, NY. On the occasion, various Tamil organizations felicitated her and Jack Poola.
Kanchana and Jagadeesan Poola, called the community powerhouse of Long Island, have extended humanitarian assistance during times of great need. When COVID-19 struck, they contributed to relief efforts, including the provision of oxygen concentrators in India and the conversion of a school into a COVID-19 hospital in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. They also extended help in the wake of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Here at home, they supported communities affected by the September 11 attacks.
Following the award early this month by FeTNA, the New York Tamil Sangam (NYTS) celebrated the contributions of Mrs. Kanchana Poola, whose unwavering commitment to the Tamil community has spanned over five decades. Since 1970 when NYTS was founded, the Poolas have remained its most devoted supporters. Under Mrs Poola’s nine years as President from 1999 to 2007, the Sangam expanded its cultural, educational, and charitable initiatives while strengthening its role as a unifying force for the Tamil diaspora. The couple’s generous contribution to NYTS for its Cultural and Educational Center in 2022 reflected their enduring belief that future generations deserve a permanent home where Tamil language, culture, and identity can flourish.
The Poolas’ children (from left) Anand, Anusuya, and Amudha are always supportive of their noble social endeavors.
Kathirvel Kumararaja, Immediate Past President and board member of NYTS, as well as on the board of FeTNA, said: "Legacies are not built in a day—they are built through decades of quiet sacrifice, selfless giving, and unwavering commitment. Mrs. Kanchana Poola's life is a shining example of what one family can accomplish when service becomes a way of life. Alongside Mr. Jagadeesan Poola, she has helped shape institutions that have preserved Tamil language, culture, education, and philanthropy across North America for generations.”
With golden hearts and helping hands, the Poolas are paragons of humanitarian spirit, a model for others to follow.
(Photos courtesy: The Poolas)
