This is really an exciting time for “Friends of Copey”. Okay…I know I say that often but it really does seem we are constantly getting ready for something waiting “just around the corner”. I remember my mother saying…”she was too busy to get tired!” To me, this always seemed like a senseless expression. But, as I get older and continue being active, it begins to make a lot of sense. Right now, I am too busy to get tired for the things “just around the corner!”

One thing “just around the corner” is the departure of our Copey Learning Center students coming to America. Can you imagine how exciting this must be for these students? I can promise you that coming to America is not very common or even a possibilty for 90% of these students, in my opinion. To have this experience at such a young age is extraordinary. But this is part of what we do…the extraordinary!

One more thing “just around the corner” is the conclusion of our 2019 Pathway Project Fundraising Campaign. We continue to make very good progress. However, our time is getting short and actions/decisions relating to airline tickets, and hotel rooms/meals, and the rest is upon us.

2019 Pathway Project

The Goal:  $6,500.00        Actual Income=$2,372.00          Deadline:  June 5, 2019

There was a jump in “Actual Income” over the past week but still below 50% of what is needed at this time. Hopefully, you will be inspired to support this project and if so, please don’t delay. Each day, I carefully watch our progress and entertain different options to fit the amount of funds I expect may be available. I appreciate the advanced notices letting me know your donation has been mailed. Saves time instead of waiting for the delivery to find out. We hope to hit the 50% plus mark next week.

The air travel arrangements must be made now to take advantage of very good prices. On hand, there are funds available ($2,372.00) and with additional funds committed, travel cost can be covered.

However, there are several other upcoming expenses to cover four guests for a two week stay. These costs will hit in two to three weeks leaving only a little time to hit our goal. Again, do not delay if you plan to support this effort.

Seidy Rodriguez, Founder of the Copey Learning Center, had planned to travel with the students to America this year. Unfortunately, Seidy will not travel this year due to her elderly mother’s current health condition. We do expect to have a video of Seidy to show during the “Reception”.

Because of this change, there are now three students and one chaperone traveling to America. This change will not have an impact on the amount of funds we need. More details on the guests will follow over the next couple of weeks.

Revision to Donation Guidelines…Please Note!

The donation guidelines have also changed slightly so please read the guidelines closely. We have revised the mailing address since our designated Treasure will not be available for about two weeks. One week has been added to our deadline.  Please give us a hand and help make 2019 another successful year.

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.”                                                                  By Rudyard Kipling

Mothers Day in the USA

This Blog likely would not have started more than five years ago without my mom passing away and leaving behind her inspiration. And, look how far we have gone. Thanks Mom!

Also, over this same five years, several of my “Friends” have also said goodbye to their mothers. I have previously recognized each of these in my Posts. Recently, another wonderful mother of a “Friend” passed on. Jacqueline Sharpe, age 90 passed away on April 21, 2019. She is survived by some very special daughters, sisters and brothers, and many other family members. She was also a dear and very close friend to mom throughout their entire lives.

We also remember again Ms. Lucille Lee (deceased August 2014), Ms. Marilyn Dunn (deceased March 2015), and Ms. Elizabeth Goble (deceased April 2016).

It is a Great Day in “Friends of Copey” land!

We are happy to announce both Megan and Madeline, Emory & Henry College student volunteers to the Copey Learning Center, have safely arrived in Copey, Costa Rica where they will both spend the next five weeks sharing, learning, and teaching. Both have been highlighted in the past two Posts. We are very proud of them for selecting Copey as a place to volunteer.

This represents the official start of the “2019 Pathway Project”. We will keep track of their time and involvement over the next several weeks.

“The Quido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation” 

Another source of wonderful news includes the selection of the five new Copey students who received the scholarships made possible by the Binda Foundation last month.   Below are two of the five recipients.

These students and their their families are excited about this unforseen opportunity to join other students attending the Copey Learning Center.

It is also important to note that all of the available student population in Copey does not attend the Copey Learning Center for various reasons including financial reasons.

The staff works very hard to keep these un-enrolled students on their watch list for any unexpected opportunity if it develops. We are cerainly pleased things worked out this time for five additional students. This type of support is always needed and useful.

2019 Pathway Project

The Goal:  $6,500.00        Actual Income=$1,772.00          Deadline:  May 31, 2019

Some small gains were made over the week but this is expected. I am just getting out the official letter to EH College affiliated supporters and this will make a huge difference over the next couple of weeks.

Please note the donation guidelines have one important modification. We are using a new/different mailing address since our Treasurer will be out of town a couple of weeks and unable to report donation information during her absence. This information is extremely important since I want to inform you with our up to date and accurate progress during this campaign. Therefore, your help is very much needed…needed soon and please follow the guidelines provided.

2019 Pathway Project Donation Guidelines

Make your donation by preparing your check to read TCI-Kiwanis Foundation and include in the memo section: “Pathway Proj.FOC”. Then, please mail the check to the address below not later than May 31, 2019. 

Please do not make the check to “Friends of Copey” or to me. And please do not submit directly to the CLC PayPal. All funds MUST go into the TCI Kiwanis Foundation account to be recorded. TCI Kiwanis Foundation receives/pays and audits all the income and expenses. The account is managed by the TCI Kiwanis Club Foundation’s Treasurer, Ms. Julie Meek. The Foundation has 501c3 status and each donor will receive a confirmation letter and tax verification. Thanks in Advance!

“I dwell in possibility.”      by Emily Dickinson

Time is very close for really great things to begin happening. In just days our Emory & Henry College (EH College) students will be on their way to Costa Rica. And, we are also busy raising needed funds to support the transportation of Copey Learning Center guests scheduled to arrive in the United States in June.

Last week you were introduced to Madeline Griffin, EH College student who is heading to Copey. This week, I introduce Megan Mitten,  also a second year student. She is from Northeastern Pennsylvania and is majoring in Music Education and Performance. Additionally, she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Education. Needless to say, Megan is a very active student involved in numerous on-campus activities.

Megan, Madeline, and prior EH College students who have traveled to Copey since 2016 took with them a skill or passion they shared with the Copey students. I expect Megan will be sharing music and other elements of the Arts with the students during her volunteer service in Copey.

Thanks to both Megan and Madeline for taking on this extremely interesting and challenging international education endeavor in support of the Pathway Project.

2019 Pathway Project

The Goal:  $6,500.00        Actual Income=$1,572.00          Deadline:  May 31, 2019

Our 2019 Pathway Project Fund Campaign is officially underway. Some donors have reported their checks are in the mail but I am only reporting today what has actually been received to date. Today’s total $1,572.00 is at a very good place as we are only a few days into the campaign. Momentum is picking up.

Also, efforts are underway to get the best prices for airline tickets in hopes of  reducing the amount of funds needed for air transportation. Airfare typically uses approximately 60-70% of our funds in support of the Pathway Project. Directions for donating are provided below:

Seidy Rodriguez…A Model for the Good!

There are still a couple of loose ends on the travelers from Copey in June and we expect to have this all tamped down in time for next week’s Post. As of today, Seidy Rodriguez, Founder of the Copey Learning Center, is planning to travel with the students this June.

I cannot impress on “Friends” enough how special it will be to have Seidy with us at EH College and to learn first-hand how she reached the decision to establish the Copey Learning Center. This is a decision that not only has served to transform the lives of kids but also an entire community.

I continue to invite all “Friends” residing in the southwest Virginia area to make plans to join us on June 14. Stay connected for ongoing information about this special visit.

2019 Pathway Project Donation Guidelines

Make your donation by preparing your check to TCI-Kiwanis Foundation and include in the memo section: “Pathway Proj.FOC”. Then, please mail the check to the address below not later than May 31, 2019.

Please do not make the check to “Friends of Copey” or to me.  And please do not submit directly to the CLC PayPal. All funds MUST go into the TCI Kiwanis Foundation account to be recorded. TCI Kiwanis Foundation receives/pays and audits all the income and expenses. The account is managed by the TCI Kiwanis Club Foundation’s Treasurer, Ms. Julie Meek. The Foundation has 501c3 status and each donor will receive a confirmation letter and tax verification. Thanks in Advance!

“I think leadership is service and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire and motivate them to reach their fullest potential.”                                                                                 by Denise Morrison

Get Ready…Get Set…Go!

The “2019 Pathway Project” actually begins in a couple of weeks when two Emory & Henry College (EHC) students travel to Copey to spend about 5 weeks volunteering as teachers at the Copey Learning Center. Both Madeline Griffin and Megan Mitten will join the list of five EHC students who have previously volunteered at the Copey Learning Center since 2016. As with the previous students, Madeline and Megan are extraordinary students devoted to “making a difference”.

Madeline Griffin

This week, I am introducing you to Madeline Griffin. She is from Knoxville and in her second year with a double major in International Studies and Spanish. She is in the Honors Program and active in the choir, a peer mentor, and involved in the college’s outdoor program. Madeline even works as a student at the McGlothlin Center of the Arts. Additional information will follow as we track Madeline during her time in Copey.

Next week, I will provide similar information about Megan, our second EHC student who is also packing her bags for Copey.

One of the “2018 Pathway Project” volunteer students from EHC was a key presenter on campus last week. Kara Stewart, (pictured on the far left) provided an excellent accounting of her volunteer experience in Copey.

I am trying to get a copy of Kara’s presentation to share with “Friends”.  Stand By!

Kara has reported plans to travel to Ireland this summer to participate in another international study opportunity. She was part of the host brigade during the Copey students’ visit to EHC last June.

2019 Pathway Project

The Goal  $6,500.00         Actual Income=$1,472.00        Deadline:  May 31st, 2019

Officially on May 1, 2019 we will initiate our fourth year for raising travel funds for the Copey Learning Center students and adult chaperones traveling to America. Our guests (students and chaperones) will travel from Costa Rica to Washington, DC on June 10th. Then, on June 12th they will travel to E&H College for the balance of their two-week stay which will include attendance at the annual Young Scholars and Leadership Program held on campus.

Nearly two-thirds of the funds alone will cover ground and air travel expenses for four guests. Other costs include hotel expenses, meals, and some incidental costs. Each week during the campaign, updates on our progress towards our goal will be provided. Any excess funds will be carried over to next year. Fortunately, we carried over $272.00 from 2018 and have received early donations bringing our total to $1,472.00 to help kick off our 2019 campaign.

Again, I invite “Friends” from all over the country to support this outstanding partnership effort being undertaken by EH College, the Copey Learning Center and the Copey community, Kiwanis of Tri-Cities Industry in Washington state, and of course “Friends of Copey”.

I am issuing a very special invitation to my “Friends” with EH College affiliation or connections. For those of us with the EH College connection/graduates, this is such a unique opportunity to help students in ways many of us were helped years ago by those concerned enough about our education. Should you feel moved to financially support this project, below are the guidelines to follow:

Make your donation by preparing your check to TCI-Kiwanis Foundation and include in the memo section: “Pathway Proj.FOC”. Then, please mail the check to the address below not later than May 31, 2019.

Please do not make the check to “Friends of Copey” or to me.  And please do not submit directly to the CLC PayPal. All funds MUST go into the TCI Kiwanis Foundation account to be recorded. TCI Kiwanis Foundation receives/pays and audits all the income and expenses. The account is managed by the TCI Kiwanis Club Foundation’s Treasurer, Ms. Julie Meek. The Foundation has 501c3 status and each donor will receive a confirmation letter and tax verification. Thanks in Advance!

A special “Friends Reception” near the EHC campus is planned for June 14th. All “Friends” are invited to join us, meet our guests, learn about Copey, and enjoy some great food and drink. Mark your calendar and help welcome these guests to EHC.

“In my writing, as much as I could, I tried to find the good, and praise it.”                                          By Alex Haley

Happy Easter and Holy Week!

It was decided to take a week off since the Copey Learning Center was on vacation in recognition of their version of Easter Week…! Also, it was an extremely busy week for me being involved in other projects I am engaged in.

2019 Pathway Project

Back to business today and we are now on the front end of the next major events planned for both May and June. 

First, in a couple of weeks there will be two more Emory & Henry students heading to Copey. These two students will follow the previous five students who began volunteering in Copey in 2016 when we began the “Pathway Project”. I plan to share more information about our current students in upcoming Posts.

Also, we continue to work out the issues with our Copey students heading to America in June. Getting visas approved for students has become a little more complicated than in the past. We hope to have this all resolved very soon. Next week, we will kick off the annual “2019 Pathway Project” fundraising effort needed to cover the travel expenses for the Copey students and chaperones.

“The Quido A. & Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation Grant” Delivered…!

We are again thankful and appreciative for the recent grant funds provided by the Binda Foundation from Battle Creek, Michigan. Also, we thank the Tri-City Kiwanis Club for their support. The funds have been received and passed on to the Copey Learning Center. Next week, we expect to learn more about the students who will be awarded scholarships made possible by this grant.

Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund Recipients for 2019

We are continuing to highlight  the scholarship recipients to show all “Friends” the results of the AGB Scholarship Fund support we receive. There are eighteen recipients total.   

The grant from the Binda Foundation will add another five recipients to Copey Learning Center rolls very soon. Needless to say…the more students attending the Copey Learning Center…the better. 

Video Production…!

Recently, the Copey Learning Center received their final copy of the YouTube video about the work at the Copey Learning Center. This video is mostly in Spanish and will not be a problem for the “Friends” fluent in Spanish. However, for others it will be a challenge.

We have three students featured in this video who have been past “Pathway Project” recipients. Celeste, Ariana, and Brian all have been to America with your help. Mariana, also featured, is one of the “2019 Pathway Project” students scheduled to travel in June. Seidy is the founder of the Copey Learning Center and also scheduled to travel to America in June. We plan to show this video during the planned reception when we host the Copey students and chaperones. Plan to join us in southwest Virginia on June 14, 2019.

“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.”                                                        By Wade Boggs

Good News Breaking…!

Recently, due to a wonderful friend connection, we received an invitation to apply for a grant to use for additional scholarships at the Copey Learning Center. This invitation required Kiwanis and “Friends of Copey” to work as partners. The grant was approved and an additional $500.00 will be donated to the Copey Learning Center with the official donor…“The Quido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation” based in Battle Creek, Michigan.

We continue to demonstrate how significant partnerships can be if we want to accomplish important goals. Working successfully together produces consistent benefits to the students in Copey. We will keep you informed on the results of these additional funds providing more students opportunities to enroll into the Copey Learning Center.

More Anne G. Broady Scholarship Recipients!

During the 2019 Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund campaign, we continued to see positive responses in support of this part of our effort. The average size of the donation in 2019 was $164.00 spread among 11 donors. Of course the average changes each year as well as the names and number of donors. There are donors who contribute each year and there are other donors who are first-time contributors. All donors are welcomed…all are appreciated! 

Therefore, sharing these photos with all “Friends” is truly a meaningful gesture to demonstrate what can be done outside the lines when “Friends” and partners work together.

It it important to note that this 2019 campaign is our sixth campaign and we have met or exceeded our goal every year.

Our support has provided more than 100 scholarships over the six years and we know “what we do as “Friends” has a real impact on the lives of Copey kids today…and has a potentially enormous impact on the future lives of these kids!”

Dayana Rivera Serrano (shown left) is one of the two Copey Learning Center students scheduled to participate in the 2019 Pathway Project. We are looking forward to Dayana traveling to America and spending a couple of weeks with us.

We are gearing up to lauch the 2019 Pathway Project and foresee this year being the very best of all so far. We are expecting the “Founder’ of the Copey Learning Center, Seidy Ridriquez, to be among the visiting guests and we also understand there will be a recently produced video focused totally on the history and success of the Copey Learning Center. This will be one of the featured presentations during the annual “Reception” scheduled for June 14. All “Friends” in the southwest Virginia area are called on to attend. You alone can cause a “chain reaction”!

“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”                   By Charles R. Swindoll.

Early Post News!

This is an early edition of this week’s Post. I will not be available to issue my Post tomorrow, my normal Post day. On Tuesday I am flying back to the west. And, Wednesday will be an impossible busy first day back home.

This is short. The Copey Learning Center staff has taken time to prepare and send photos of each of the 18 Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund recipients.  I do not want to wait to share these with you.                                

These photos demonstrate our presence and commitment to the Copey community. Parents in Copey are fully aware how important the scholarship funds are. Their sons and daughters have the same opportunity to learn English as others. And, as “Friends of Copey”, you can see the faces, the smiles, and the looks of hope you help produce for these scholarship recipients. More photos will be shared soon. You make this happen.

“2019 Pathway Project”

I am also happy to announce my Emory & Henry College (EH) supporters continue to show their interest in the upcoming “Pathway Project” scheduled in June. I had conversations with several annual EH donors who conveyed their continuous support and their excitement for the return of Copey students. I did not have a chance to meet the two EH students preparing to go to Copey in May. But, I am informed they are very excited and are going to do well.

In the next couple of weeks, I will start focusing on both our EH students leaving for Copey and the students scheduled to travel to America.