Sethi Family Thrived in Fresno. Now It's Donating $400K.

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 5 years ago on

December 28, 2019

An immigrant family that thrived in Fresno will announce $400,000 in philanthropic donations Monday.
The Marjaree Mason Center, Fresno State, Community Regional Medical Center, Poverello House, and the Central Valley Ghostriderz will share in $200,000 from the trust of Mohan and Sushila Sethi.
In addition, the trust is donating $200,000 to the Hindu Temple of Fresno.

“We are humbled to be a beneficiary of the generosity of the Sethi family. This is an exciting investment in the Fresno community.” — Marjaree Mason Center Executive Director Nicole Linder

Their son JP Sethi, president of Sethi Management, Inc., will make the official check presentations Monday afternoon at the Hyatt Place hotel in north Fresno.
They “lived in Fresno for over 30 years and wanted to give back upon their passings,” JP Sethi said of his parents in an email to GV Wire.

Photo of Mohan and Sushila Sethi — Immigrants Mohan and Sushila Sethi prospered in Fresno.

Recipients Humbled

“We are humbled to be a beneficiary of the generosity of the Sethi family. This is an exciting investment in the Fresno community,” Marjaree Mason Center Executive Director Nicole Linder said.
The center supports victims of domestic violence and their children.

Power Wheelchairs for Soccer Players

The Ghostriderz are an adaptive soccer team, the local entry in the U.S. Power Soccer Association. The players in power wheelchairs participate in competitive soccer games.
“We are deeply grateful for the donations,” said Frank Cornell, coach of the Ghostriderz.

“This allows them to compete, which can change their outlook immensely.” — Frank Cornell, coach of the Ghostriderz adaptive soccer team

The donation will help purchase the power chairs, which can go for $15,000 each.
“It changes their lives. When you are in a chair 24/7, you have no idea about team sports or sports in general,” Cornell said. “They never get to compete. This allows them to compete, which can change their outlook immensely.”

More Meals, Services at Poverello House

Poverello House CEO Zachary D. Darrah said the donation will enable the agency to better serve the homeless.
“This donation will have a serious impact on Poverello House’s ability to serve the homeless, hungry and hurting in our community,” Darrah said. “These funds will directly support our client services which include our Men’s Residential Rehabilitation Program, Naomi’s House (a single women’s shelter), the Villages of Hope, providing meals to the hungry and much more.
“These programs all depend on the generous support of the community. Mr. Sethi’s generosity will allow for these programs to continue to change lives every day. We truly cannot thank him enough for investing into our work in this way.”

Background of the Sethis

The Sethis moved to Fresno in 1984, after immigrating from India in the mid-1970s. JP Sethi has operated dozens of businesses, including convenience stores and hotels. He founded the trade group American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association.

The family has engaged in other philanthropic endeavors for decades. JP Sethi said that his parents donated more than $1.5 million to local temples and gurudwaras.
JP Sethi is highly active in the Hindu Temple of Fresno, Crime Stoppers, Interfaith Alliance of the Central Valley, and the Fresno Police Advisory Board.
In addition, five of his sisters live in Fresno.
Mohan Sethi died in 2011, and Sulitha Setha passed away in January of this year.