You may or may not know that I am currently serving as the President on the board of directors for Friends of Jordan (FOJ). FOJ is a 501c3 non-profit organization that gives small grants – only up to about $200 US dollars – to currently serving Peace Corps volunteers in Jordan. We are associated with the National Peace Corps Association and have around 75 members. Although the grants are small – and so is our member list – we are still able to fund a number of really amazing projects and camps. Check out www.friendsofjordan.org to learn more about the organization, the projects we fund, to become a member, or make a donation.
Because we are a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit, our only funding comes from individual or business donations. As a result, fundraising is a significant part of what we do. While we accept donations throughout the year, we hold a couple of annual fundraisers during the month of Ramadan – the most holy month of the Islamic calendar – and a time when people give to charities. This year we are holding several fundraisers. I have outlined our biggest events below, the “Night-in and Ramadan Raffle”. You may have already received an e-mail from me about this event – so please excuse the over advertising. As this is such an important part of sustaining our ability to give grants – we need all the publicity we can get. If you know anyone who may be interested in donating or learning about FOJ – please feel free to pass along our website (www.friendsofjordan.org) or tell them to contact me at president@friendsofjordan.
Here is information about this fundraiser:
Salaam wa alaikum and Ramadan Kareem to all Friends of Jordan, RPCVs, and others!
Ramadan is a time when people all around the world reflect on the values of generosity, patience, and community. Whether you served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan, or are close to someone who did, you probably know what a special time Ramadan is. We encourage all of our members to take a few moments during this time to reflect on their time in Jordan, reconnect with Jordanian friends, and share a delicious iftar dinner with RPCVs.
In the spirit of the holiday, Friends of Jordan is hosting our 4th annual “Night-In” Fundraiser. Every year during Ramadan, we ask our members to spend an evening at home and, with the money they would have used for a night out, instead make a donation to Friends of Jordan. Your contributions support leadership camps for girls, barbieenvironmental conservation classes, and a host of other wonderful projects organized by PCVs. We have set a fundraising goal of $1,000 this Ramadan. We have raised about $100 so far. We have a long way to go!
Last year, we added a special incentive—the chance to win some great prizes direct from Jordan. Your outpouring of support was so positive that we’ve decided to bring back the Ramadan Raffle! Once again, contributors will be entered into a drawing giving them the chance to win nostalgia-inducing items such as:
– Dead Sea salts
– Jordanian flag patches
– Turkish coffee pots
– A stuffed toy camel
– Arab male and feBarbie” dolls
– … and more!
The more you donate, the greater your odds of winning! Each $5 donation will earn 1 ticket.
Tickets may also be purchased by non-Friends of Jordan members, so please let friends and family members know how they too can help support our mission and win some prizes. All contributions are tax-deductible. Only donations made on or before August 18 will be eligible for the raffle.
If you have already made a donation, thank you so much for your support. If you are interested in making a donation and entering the raffle, please visit: http://friendsofjordan.org/donate/