SCGCS Raas Garba

Jai Ambe!

We’re happy to share details for our two Garba events this October, along with a couple of dates to keep on your calendar for later this year. We look forward to bringing our community together for these special evenings.

Both Garba events will be held at: Jain Center of Southern California, 8072 Commonwealth Ave, Buena Park, CA 90621

Please note that each Garba event has a separate RSVP form. If you plan to attend both, kindly complete both forms. The RSVP links are included at the end of this email.

First Garba – Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM onward
Live Music: Soor Sarita Musical Group
This event is complimentary for SCGCS members who RSVP by October 13, 2026.
The entry fee is $15 per person for SCGCS members who do not RSVP by the deadline and for all non-members.

Second Garba with Prasad (Dinner) – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Our second Garba will be a Sharad Poonam Raas Garba, organized together with the Lohana Heritage Organization.
We look forward to bringing both communities together for this special evening.
Time: 6:00 PM onward
Dinner: Served until 7:30 PM, followed by Raas Garba
Live Music: Suresh Bhatt & Group
This event is complimentary and exclusively for members of SCGCS or Lohana Heritage Organization and their immediate family members. Advance RSVP by October 20, 2026 is required.

Save the Dates
Diwali Dinner on 11/14/26 at Himalayan Grill, Huntington Beach – Details and RSVP link will be shared after the Second Garba
New Year’s Eve Dinner on 12/31/26 – Currently in the planning stage, More details will follow once finalized

RSVP Links

First Garba on 10/17/26 (RSVP by 10/13/26) – https://forms.gle/KU7cNcPieCM8TKC9A

Second Garba on 10/24/26 (RSVP by 10/20/26) – https://forms.gle/zzqb3ZM63617pQmMA

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you and your family and celebrating these festive occasions together.

SCGCS Bowling Night

It was wonderful seeing some of you at yesterday’s beach picnic, another fun and memorable SCGCS event!

We are excited to invite you to our next gathering – Bowling Night! Please join us for an enjoyable evening of bowling, dinner, laughter, and quality time with family and friends.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026

Time: 5 PM

Location: Chaparral Lanes

Address: 400 W Bonita Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

Entry Fee

Members: $15 per person (for members and their parents, children, and grandchildren)

Non-members: $30 per person

The entry fee includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, and dinner.

Please RSVP by August 8, 2026, so we can reserve the appropriate number of lanes and finalize the food and other arrangements.

RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/qbQns2JPz6GESKT67

Payment may be made at the door; however, we strongly encourage everyone to pay in advance through Zelle. After making your Zelle payment, please reply to this email so we can confirm that your payment was received. 

Zelle ID: scgcs.org@gmail.com

Kind Reminder: Because the bowling lanes, dinner, and other arrangements will be finalized based on the RSVP count, the entry fee will apply to each person included in your reservation, even if someone is later unable to attend. Providing an accurate RSVP will help us plan properly and create a comfortable, well-organized experience for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SCGCS Beach Picnic

Thank you to everyone who joined our Father’s Day Park Picnic – a wonderful day of food, friends, and community.

We are excited to keep the summer momentum going and invite you to our next event:

SCGCS Beach Picnic

  • Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 AM
  • Location: Huntington City Beach (near Lifeguard Tower 13, our usual Holi spot)
  • Address for GPS: 21579 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Come enjoy the ocean breeze, catch up with friends, play beach games, and relax by the shore.

Food & Refreshments

  • Lunch: Provided for all attendees.
  • Dinner: If there is sufficient interest in staying through the evening, we will arrange dinner for attendees who remain at the beach.

What to Bring (if you can)
If you have any of the following available, please consider bringing them to help make the picnic more comfortable for everyone:

  • Canopy or beach umbrella
  • Folding table
  • Tarp

RSVP by July 18, 2026: https://forms.gle/ACNnZaYMnNqkAd8k6

Please note:

  • Your accurate RSVP helps us organize the event smoothly and comfortably for everyone attending.
  • This event is complimentary for SCGCS members and their immediate family members (parents, children, and grandchildren).
  • A fee of $15 per person will apply for non-members.
  • Payment for non-members can be sent via Zelle to: scgcs.org@gmail.com

Save the Date
August 15, 2026 – Bowling Night at Chaparral Lanes, San Dimas
Additional details and registration information will be shared after the beach picnic.

Upcoming Events

  • October 17, 2026 – Garba Night at Jain Temple, Buena Park
  • October 24, 2026 – Garba Night at Jain Temple, Buena Park (planning stage)
  • November 14, 2026 – Diwali Dinner at Himalaya Grill, Huntington Beach
  • December 31, 2026 – New Year’s Eve Celebration (planning stage)

We look forward to spending another wonderful day together with our SCGCS family. See you at the beach on July 25!

SCGCS Park Picnic

After our Ram Navami celebration in March, we are looking forward to our next community event – Summer Picnic on Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Father’s Day) at Yorba Regional Park. Since this year’s picnic falls on Father’s Day, it gives us a meaningful opportunity to spend quality time together with family and recognize the fathers and father figures who contribute so much to our families and community. The picnic is a wonderful chance for all of us to come together, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors.

Event Details:
Date & Time: Sunday, June 21, 2026 @ 11:00 AM
Location: Yorba Regional Park – Shelter #1
7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807

Directions: From the park’s main entrance, make a right turn. Shelter #1 will be the first shelter on the left-hand side. Lots C and D are the nearest parking lots.

RSVP Information: To help us finalize arrangements, please RSVP by June 14, 2026, using this link – https://forms.gle/Wv18nk1wrXvK3S9a8

Please note:

  • Your accurate RSVP helps us organize the event smoothly and comfortably for everyone attending.
  • This event is complimentary for SCGCS members and their immediate family members (parents, children, and grandchildren).
  • A fee of $15 per person will apply for non-members.
  • Payment for non-members can be sent via Zelle to: scgcs.org@gmail.com

Please also save the dates for our upcoming SCGCS events:

  • 07/25/26 – Beach Picnic at Huntington Beach
  • 08/15/26 – Bowling Night at Chaparral Lanes, San Dimas
  • 10/17/26 – Garba Night at Jain Temple, Buena Park
  • 10/24/26 – Garba Night at Jain Temple, Buena Park (planning stage)
  • 11/14/26 – Diwali Dinner (planning stage)
  • 12/31/26 – New Year’s Eve Celebration (planning stage)

Additional details for each event will be shared closer to the event dates.

We appreciate your continued support and participation in SCGCS and look forward to seeing everyone at the picnic.

SCGCS Ram Navami Celebration

Dear SCGCS Members,

Jai Shri Ram!

We warmly invite you and your family to join us in celebrating Ram Navami at Gayatri Temple in Anaheim. This sacred occasion reminds us of the timeless values of Lord Shri Ram – dharma, humility, compassion, and devotion. Celebrating together as a community allows us to honor these values while sharing meaningful time with one another.

The evening will feature soulful bhajans by renowned singer Mayuri Patel, creating an atmosphere filled with devotion and joy. The program will conclude with prasad (dinner), offering a wonderful opportunity to gather with family and friends.

Event Details
Venue: Gayatri Temple, 2446 W Orange Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM onwards

Please RSVP by March 21, 2026 using this link: https://forms.gle/jEMUhELE78BX3goE6

We also welcome members who would like to sponsor or support this auspicious celebration. Sponsorship opportunities include:

  • Bhajans Sponsorship: $1,001
  • Prasad (Dinner) Sponsorship: $1,501
  • Full Event Sponsorship: $2,501

If sponsorship is not possible, donations of any amount are appreciated to help make this celebration memorable. Contributions can be made via cash, check, or online (Zelle).

Donors will be acknowledged in our next email communication unless anonymity is requested. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Vice President.

While sponsorships and donations are greatly appreciated, most importantly, it is your presence that truly brings these celebrations to life.

We look forward to coming together in devotion, unity, and joy as we celebrate Ram Navami.

🙏 Jai Shri Ram! 🙏

SCGCS Holi Celebration

Namaste!

We warmly invite you and your families to join us for our Holi Celebration as we come together to celebrate the festival of colors, unity, and joy.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Huntington Beach
Address: Near 21579 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(from Beach Blvd/PCH, turn into the parking lot on the right)

The weather forecast looks pleasant, making it a perfect day for an outdoor beach gathering. Join us by the ocean for a vibrant afternoon filled with color, laughter, and community spirit.

Colors, popcorn, and dates will be provided.

Please bring your family, invite your friends, and join us as we strengthen our bonds and celebrate our rich cultural traditions together.

Please save the date for our upcoming events:

  • Ram Navmi: March 28, 2026
  • Park Picnic: June 21, 2026

Additional details for these events will be shared soon.

We look forward to celebrating together!

SCGCS President’s Message

Jai Shree Krishna to you and your families.

It is an honor to serve as President of the Southern California Gujarati Cultural Society. For more than 45 years, SCGCS has been more than an organization—it has been a vibrant community where our language, traditions, and friendships are nurtured and passed from one generation to the next. Having been an active member of this community for over 25 years, I view this role not merely as a title, but as a solemn responsibility to serve with integrity, unity, and purpose.

Moving from Surviving to Thriving
Thank you to everyone who attended our General Body Meeting last Sunday. For those who were unable to join us, I would like to reiterate the central message I shared: The survival of SCGCS is not sufficient—our goal is for it to thrive. We are committed not only to maintaining what was built before us, but to strengthening our organization, expanding its reach, and leaving it better for future generations. Our Board of Trustees possesses extensive expertise in planning and executing successful events. While this foundation is invaluable, a society truly flourishes through active member engagement—participating, volunteering, encouraging others, and sharing in our collective vision.

Growing Our Society
I personally ask you to invite your extended family members and friends to join SCGCS. A Lifetime Membership of $1,001 represents a meaningful investment in preserving and celebrating our heritage for generations to come. We are delighted to have welcomed a new Lifetime Member this week and look forward to welcoming many more families.

Supporting Our Events
If you are able to sponsor or contribute to an event, your generous support would be greatly appreciated. We are currently accepting contributions for our upcoming Ramnavmi celebration on Saturday, March 28, with additional sponsorship opportunities to be announced throughout the year. We sincerely thank those who contributed or pledged support at the General Body Meeting. In the spirit of transparency, donors will be acknowledged in our communications unless anonymity is requested. Donation receipts are available upon request. Contributions can now also be sent via Zelle. Our Zelle ID is scgcs.org@gmail.com

Expanding Our Events
In addition to our signature annual events, we have recently introduced New Year’s Eve and Uttarayan celebrations. Looking ahead, we are exploring opportunities to organize additional events, including a beach picnic, a bowling night, and an extra day of Navaratri. Further details will be communicated as the plans are finalized. Your interest and participation will help shape these gatherings and strengthen connections across generations, particularly for our youth, who represent the future of our community.

The future of our Society will be shaped by the choices we make today. With optimism and determination, I invite you to join me in building an even stronger and more connected community together.