shining a light this Diwali: how one family turned celebration into community impact

When Mohit and Ojaswani Suley first began hosting their annual Diwali celebration in Seattle, they never imagined it would grow into a powerful tradition of giving back! Four years ago, they decided to make the festival of lights even more meaningful by transforming it into an annual Diwali fundraiser to support families experiencing homelessness at Mary’s Place.

“Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in the Indian community,” shares Mohit. “It’s a time when we give gifts and say prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, who represent wealth and good fortune. It’s really a time to be thankful for what you have—and what better time to also reflect on our privilege and fortune and make sure others have what they need and have opportunities to thrive.”

As Microsoft employees, Mohit and Ojaswani first learned about Mary’s Place during Microsoft’s GIVE Month, when employees are encouraged to support local nonprofits. They were inspired by Mary’s Place’s mission to ensure no child sleeps outside and help families move out of homelessness into safe, stable housing.

“If you want to see change and see the world get better, it starts with making a difference in your immediate surroundings and local community,” says Mohit. “One of the reasons we chose Mary’s Place is because they’re helping our neighbors right here at home.”

Since then, the Suleys, along with their family and friends, have fully embraced combining community giving with cultural celebration. This year, their Diwali fundraiser raised an incredible $14,000 before corporate matches, helping even more families in King County find safety and stability before the cold winter months.

Diwali is often called the festival of light, and Mohit and Ojaswani are truly a light in our community. Their generosity reminds us that when we share our light, we make the world brighter for everyone.