Crossing the Ogeechee River into Richmond Hill, I arrive at Himalayan Curry Kitchen for their Inclusion Avenue fundraiser on July 17, and find my host Pulkit Chawla waiting for me at the front door of his packed restaurant.

Holding his three-year-old daughter Faye in his arms, he talks about hosting today’s kick-off event for this small, fledgling non-profit which hopes to purchase a small truck to serve their specialty drinks. 

“When I found out Monicah Starr will employ high school kids and graduates of all abilities, I wanted to be involved. This organization is very close to my heart because my daughter has a neurological disorder,” shares the New Delhi, India, native who now operates the award-winning restaurant.

At the entrance, setting up a table serving their teas and coffees is Inclusion Avenue founder Monicah Starr. Tiny and lively, Monicah and her three helpers are whipping up drinks, so I head inside to catch up with blonde beauty Heather Matthews.

The Grand Canyon University professor and Richmond Hill Educational Coaching CEO has three tall, young peeps with her who are not loving the idea of a posed pic. Managing to get a photo of her with one of her daughters, Heather tells me about her love of traveling, reading and beach life–and that my favorite photographer, Corey Brooks, is arriving later!

With a line gathering for the Indian/Nepali buffet, I head to a corner booth in the back and meet the cutest family from Hinesville. Say hey to Sheina Medina, her 13-year-old daughter Camila, her petite mom (who is attempting to hide behind her from a pic) and 15-year-old son Berny.

Explaining that she is here to support Monicah and “an awesome cause for people with special needs,” we giggle when Berny suddenly announces that he is taller than anyone in his family. Sporting dark curly hair, the young man tells me about his love of videos and salad before they segue up to the buffet.

After Leora McCann tells me that she is here to support Pulkit and his family, I see a familiar face from the Chatham Co. Police Department sitting in the back with his wife Lisa. The CCPD captain tells me they are both Savannah natives, live here in Richmond Hill, then easily agrees to a pic with Lisa and Palmer June Starr, the 22-month-old daughter of Monicah and a former student of Lisa’s at Frances Meeks Elementary.

Telling the captain that I will see him back on Wilmington Island, I head over to chat with self proclaimed “foodies” Gregory Lewis and Bernadette Rambharose. Looking chic with short hair and a classy style, Bernadette is a Liberty Co. school teacher and realtor, while Gregory is a real estate appraiser.

Taking a seat with the travel-loving couple, I tell them their pic is going to WSAV and CONNECT Savannah, then laugh when Bernadette proclaims, “I love CONNECT and ‘Eat and Like It’s’ Jesse Blanco! I met Jesse at a Pit Bull concert and had to do a selfie with him and follow everything he does.” She adds, “we have been a fan of Pulkit since the day he opened and it really is the best Indian food around.”

Another group of Pulkit fans are the Reids. James and Katie both work at St. Joseph’s/Candler, James in case management, and Katie as a float nurse. They also own Reid Custom Print Shop, and were happy to donate graphics, stickers and labels to Monicah.

Explaining they jumped at the chance to help Monicah, we all agree that we love to support people and organizations that don’t always ask for money, gifts or donations. “We love the idea of what Inclusion Avenue represents and wanted to be involved,” shares the happy married couple of seven years.

Ok, it’s snack time, so I load up a plate of butter chicken and fresh naan bread then take a seat with Chris Sweat and his foodie friend Jocelyn Stone. Dang, what a cool name for a Minnesota native that moved to the South two years ago and fell in love with the friendly people and fab food. Chuckling when Chris says they met through a “friend of a friend of friend,” I like my “four friends removed” even more when I learn that she is a fellow Jeep driver and is happy to head outside to pose on top of my Step One Auto Jeep Gladiator.

Back at the buffet line, I chat with Pulkit about his five years here in Richmond Hill and his involvement in the community. “We support the Richmond Hill Wildcats, TIDE Baseball and Richmond Hill Farmers Market,” shares the 34-year-old while he gathers this team of eight fine fellows from different regions of India.

Finally, Monicah has a minute to talk with me. The Alturas, CA, native moved here three years ago after serving in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic for 11 years. She now works as a special education teacher at Richmond Hill High School, and founded Inclusion Avenue when she noticed a lack of meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Richmond Hill community.

“There are educational and work opportunities in Savannah and Statesboro but there isn’t much here for high school kids once they have graduated. I want to give differently-abled residents a job that is social and fun. Tonight we are fundraising so we can purchase a mobile drink specialty truck where we will primarily employ people with disabilities,” shares the 29 year old.

Wow! Y’all, this 5’2” ball of positive energy started Inclusion Avenue in May of this year! Two-and-a-half months later, she is continuing to serve our community as she changes lives serving specialty teas, coffees and mocktails to the Coastal Empire. 

A special salute to Pulkit for hosting an evening buffet on a night that he is usually closed, and for donating 100 percent of proceeds to Monicah and her noble cause! Well done sir!

This article appears in Connect Savannah | July 2023.