Prakash Saraf

Founder and President

Prakash Saraf is the Founder and President of Friends of Sparsh.  Along with being a business owner, he has been an active volunteer within the community for the past 8 years. Prakash is an empathetic individual who understands the disparity in communities. He believes that compassion and service to the not so fortunate can start from the smallest act at any age. Prakash mentors and involves children and adults in volunteer activities for the community in a fun and collaborative way.  He is a resourceful individual and a great facilitator of bridging the gap of the between needs and resources. Prakash is driven and focused to bring about a balance for the underprivileged community one act at a time. He has been recognized with many awards for his volunteer work in the community.

Prakash lives in Ellicott City with his wife a son and has been Maryland resident for 20 years.

In 2023 he received a lifetime presidential award which was given to him by LT Gov Aruna Miller.

  • In 2022, the Maryland General Assembly and the State of Maryland Governors recognized his work by an official citation during Covid working for the community
  • In 2017, the “Baltimore Community Service Award” from “Family and Children Services” for working in the community.
  • In November 2019, the “Baltimore City’s Mayor Office Award” for Outstanding Community Service.
  • In 2015 he was given Ceicl’s B-day at the Wyndham convention in Las Vegas
  • In 2016, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) who have 16,000 mostly Indian members, awarded our son Neev Saraf, with the first and only Youth Philanthropy Award at the Tennessee convention.
  • In 2020, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Awarded him with the “Philanthropy Award” for serving the community during the Covid pandemic.
  • In 2021, he received the “Point of Light Honoree” list from the George Bush Foundation.
    Many senators, state officials, and counties have recognized him with different awards and citations.
  • https://www.todayshotelier.com/2022/09/23/aahoa-lifetime-member-prakash-saraf-spends-life-serving-the-baltimore-homeless-community/#respond