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The Content of Character…!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.   By Helen Keller

This is my sixth anniversary celebrating the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. holiday with you …and you with me. I can think of nothing more personally rewarding than to be involved with others (Friends) who share in so many ways, the essence of Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” message.

MLK Jr. Book

I believe “character” speaks to the nature of our self, the who or what we are. What makes up our character or the content of our charactor serves to distnguish us as unique people. We are far too complicated as people to be defined in total by any lazy and shallow
assumptions…especially by simply the “color of our skin”.

Dr. King looked forward to the day when assumptions about one’s life, dreams, abilities, and potential would demand a true and honest look at one’s character and not merely the color of someone’s skin. The road to that day Dr. King dreamed about has been long and challenging and unfortunately we have not arrived yet. But…it is still worth the effort. ‘Friends of Copey’ is doing its part.

Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund

AGBSF   Goal:  $1,500.00    Actual: $600.00     Deadline: February 4, 2019

After our first week we have made a good start towards reaching our goal. Consistient with prior years, we resemble that old locomotive leaving the train station…slow at first striving to get the momentum needed to reach its destination. Your help is needed!

Executive Director Salary Support

EDSS Goal: $2,000.00 Actual: $00.00 Deadline: April 9, 2019

I was honored to receive this week a letter from the Copey Learning Center Board member Catalina Cortes who wrote on behalf of the members of the Board. This in part is their response to my letter to the Board a few weeks ago indicating our intentions as “Friends of Copey” to continue our support in 2019.

As you can see in the letter, the community and especially the Copey Learning Center Board express a great deal of enthusiasm and have high expectation of making 2019 an even better year than 2018. To meet these challenges, strong day to day leadership is essential to keeping human and physical resources working together and successfully. You can help by supporting the EDSS fund.

 

 

 

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Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund


“We, ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
-Mother Teresa

Annual Funding Campaigns Begin

We could not foresee back in the fall of 2013 the success and longevity of this effort. When we officially launched the scholarship support in early 2014, our main focus was and continues to be our effort to honor Anne G. Broady’s life and memory by doing something needed and meaningful for kids.

This is a very special day as we officially announce the 6th anniversary of the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund (AGBSF) campaign with the goal to raise $1,500.00.

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Since this first campaign, more than 100 Copey kids have received partial tuition support allowing them to attend the Copey Learning Center to develop English communication skills. This tuition support has had positive results. For example, the “Pathway Project” students who have traveled to America since 2016 have benefitted as AGBSF recipients and many “Friends” have personally witnessed the English skills of these students.

Be reminded, the AGBSF does not provide full tuition support because “friends” believe each family “must” also financially invest in their child’s education. And, this is consistent with our belief pertaining to all financial support provided. We are committed to helping those willing to help themselves.

News Flash 

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Our Second Campaign of Support

We are also launching the annual fundraising campaign to supplement the Executive Director’s salary (EDSS). Our goal is $2,000.00.

At the request of the Copey Learning Center’s Board in 2015, “Friends” responded favorably when called upon to help with the addition of the first “paid” staff position, the Executive Director.

“Friends” was convinced the future of the Copey Learning Center was in serious jeopardy without competent leadership devoted daily to the growth and success of the Copey Learning Center. To guide these the students, shown below, towards receiving their certifications demonstrating their successful English course completion, this requires strong and consistent leadership.

Annual Funding Campaigns Begin

Therefore, since 2015 we have supported the very modest annual salary for the Executive Director. Similar to the AGBSF support, this funding helps keep the Copey Learning Center’s doors open and operating successfully while other communities struggle mostly unsuccessfully trying to do the same.

Making Your Donation Is Simple…Really!

If you are planning to support either the AGB Scholarship Fund or the Executive Director’s Salary Support or both…the two methods below have served us well and without any complications.

  1. The Copey Learning Center’s PayPal can be used to make donations directly. Please access the PayPal system by clicking on….http://copeylearningcenter.org/. Find the PayPal logo in the upper right hand corner of their homepage. To make certain the Copey Learning Center recognizes your donation and how it should be applied, indicate in the comment section that the donation supports the “AGBSF” or the “EDSS”.
  2. The alternate method is to send me your donation. Make the check out to me (Arthur Broady). Once received, your check is deposited in my account and then paid directly to the same Learning Center PayPal system as in Method #1. I will enter your name and designate where it is to be applied per your directions. The PayPal system will issue me a receipt which I send to you as “proof” the donation has been submitted to the Learning Center in your name. Make your check out to Arthur Broady and send to: 
    725 N. Center Parkway, Apt. N-201, Kennewick, WA 99336  
    Phone:1-509-783-5897 
    Please contact me if either method needs further explanation. 

Sometimes, a “Friend” can make a big difference.

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One Life Breathing Easier…!

“To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded”. By Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Friends of Copey” is starting off the new year with both hope and promise. I appreciate the comments received recently pertaining to the scorecards and results of our efforts in 2018. We all have so much to be proud of.

But, we will not rest on our laurels. This is not part of our make-up. In fact, resting at all…is something we are not often accused of. What we have been doing to support the Copey Learning Center has worked as documented in our scorecards and therefore we plan to continue our support to the extent of our ability and resources.

Although retirement is wonderful and the Costa Rican beaches are very enticing to visit, I am going to put on my work clothes, work boots, and work gloves and invite you to help me make 2019 the best year yet.

First Things First…!

Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund (AGBSF) continues to be a very significant benefit to many of the local Copey students and families unable to financially support the small tuition cost for enrollment. Since 2014, we have raised $1,500.00 or more annually to support about 15 students. We are setting this same funding goal for 2019. The official start date will be on January 14 and needs to be completed by February 4. The Copey Learning Center requires some time to identify eligible students requiring financial assistance prior to start up in early February.

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The Annual Executive Director’s Salary Support (EDSS) fundraiser will also start next week and will run parallel with the AGB Scholarship effort as we have done in the past. Since 2015, we have raised $2,000.00 or more to help supplement the meager annual salary paid to the Executive Director responsible for the necessary leadership and daily operation at the Copey Learning Center. The end date for the salary support is in March.

Specific guidance on ways to make a donation is provided at the bottom of this Post. Please, feel free to start your donations anytime. 

There are no changes to making donations from past practice as shown below. Both fundraisers are essential means of support in order for the Copey Learning Center to have a positive start.

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These funds help assure needy kids will be enrolled, will help provide quality food and shelter for the volunteer teachers, and will help keep competent staff on-hand to accomplish the Copey Learning Center’s mission.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country and the people help make it a country worth visiting and supporting…even many US citizens now live there. But, as you will find elsewhere, people, politics, and poverty together often provide the least fortunate with great limitations and extremely difficult challenges. We offer and provide help!

METHODS of DONATING

If you are planning to support either the AGB Scholarship Fund or the Executive Director’s Salary Support or both…the two methods below have served us well and without any complications.

  1. The Copey Learning Center’s PayPal can be used to make donations directly. Please access the PayPal system by clicking on….http://copeylearningcenter.org/. Find the PayPal logo in the upper right hand corner of their homepage. To make certain the Copey Learning Center recognizes your donation and how it should be applied, indicate in the comment section that the donation supports the “AGBSF” or the “EDSS”.
  2. The alternate method is to send me your donation. Make the check out to me (Arthur Broady). Once received, your check is deposited in my account and then paid directly to the same Learning Center PayPal system as in Method #1. I will enter your name and designate where it is to be applied per your directions. The PayPal system will issue me a receipt which I send to you as “proof” the donation has been submitted to the Learning Center in your name. Make your check out to Arthur Broady and send to:
    725 N. Center Parkway, Apt. N-201, Kennewick, WA 99336 
    Phone:1-509-783-5897
    Please contact me if either method needs further explanation.

Sometimes, a “Friend” can make a big difference.

New Year’s Eve!

Every tomorrow is an outcome of what I do today, and the beauty of it all is that today is happening all the time.”  By Craig D. Lounsbrough  

“As the old year retires and a new one is born, we commit into the hands of our Creator the happenings of the past year and ask for direction and guidance in the new one. May He grant us His grace, His tranquility, and His wisdom!”    By Peggy Toney Horton

Tomorrow is the 1st Blank Page for the 2019 year.

The 2018 year is very close to an end and according to our 2018 scorecards, we did some amazing things over the past twelve months. Now, we will start working on a new year full of events bringing some joy to this wonderful community.

Commitment to the Board

The Copey Learning Center Board of Directors is being sent a formal letter commiting our support for another year. Based on our past year’s performance, there is very strong evidence our level of interest and support for the Copey Learning Center and its mission remains very high. Overall, “Friends of Copey” has added several new “Friends” over the year supporting our work. Thank you for joining us. And, we are also very honored and proud to have our long term supporters who have been involved most of or all of the five years we have been supporting the Copey Learning Center.

In a couple of weeks, we will once again kick off the annual Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund Campaign and the annual Annual Salary Support we provide for the Executive Director’s position. Both campaigns are essential to keeping as many kids as possible enrolled in the Copey Learning Center and to ensure there is strong, competent, and consistent leadership managing the daily operation of the Center. Our support in both of these areas have literally put Copey on the map as a very unique and successful, grass-roots educational center.

It is Most Noteworthy!

It has been said several times and it is extremely noteworthy to keep in mind really how difficult it is for a small rural community with extremely limited family revenue sources to enroll their kids in the Copey Learning Center. And, understand how difficult it is for a community of these same families to sustain a 10 month long educational program year after year. In fact, to accomplish this is nearly impossible without outside and continuous support as provided by “Friends of Copey”. And, the “Friends” method that is applied to provide this support is equally extraordinary.

Let us get ready! Similar to all prior years, we can just bet some unbelievable events will help mark the great success we can look forward to in 2019. I hope you will continue to be supportive and truly “making a difference”!

  Happy New Year!

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2018 Non-Financial Scorecard…Part 2

“Nothing else in all life is such a maker of joy and cheer as the privilege of doing good.”            By James Russell Miller

The “Non-Financial” Support continues!  

There is still plenty to the “2018 non-financial” story to share that includes general acts of kindness and support for the Copey Learning Center.

Similar to the Utah story, another surprising act of kindness resulted in the purchase of a huge supply of Emory & Henry (EH) College shirts and caps, plus an EH College banner delivered to the Copey Learning Center.

These items were donated by Thomas McGlothlin. Thomas graduated from EH College in 1968 and the McGlothlin family members are rock solid supporters of the college. After Thomas met the Pathway Project students and chaperones last June, his enthusiasm for the developing relationship between the college and the Copey Learning Center inspired him to support even greater visibility of the college inside the Copey community. 

Blog and Post Accomplishments for 2018

  1. Fifty-three Posts have been issued in 2018.
  2. Back in 2015 our viewership was 3,207. In 2016 we reached 3,223. Then in 2017 we sky-rocketed to 4,055. Our 2018 end count is projected at 3,550, a 11% decrease in viewership over 2017. But remember, the 2017 viewership count provided a huge increase over 2016. We fell a little short in matching that level two years in a row.This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Posts-2018.jpg
  3. Use of photos continued to be high compared to prior years.
  4. “Comments” responding to Posts increased by 6% over 2017. 
  5. The three Most Viewed Posts were “Have Supplies…Will Travel” Posted March 19, 2018; “The Principal…The Leader” Posted April 9 2018; and “Friends…Are Everywhere” Posted April 16, 2018.
  6. “Friends” remains popular in countries outside of the USA and Costa Rica. There are a total of 56 countries listed who have visited the Blog this year. The USA and Costa Rica accounted for  nearly 3,000 visits alone. The list includes from Canada thru Germany, countries with at least 50 visits each.  

World’s Best Partners!

We have outstanding partners who support “Friends of Copey”. Our success would be impossible without the support of Emory & Henry CollegeThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is eh-college-e1514393430979.pngand the Tri-Cities Industry Kiwanis Club. Both provide the essential services          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is zzzkiwanis.pngneeded to successfully conduct the annual “Pathway Project”. These two partners are easily 2,500 miles apart in distance in this country.

However, they successfully support the Copey Learning Center located in Costa Rica.  This alone is an amazing story.

Both organizations are integral partners in the “Pathway Project” and provide a wide-range of services including housing and meals, transportation, education, recreation, and accounting. These services are donated and supported by many individuals representing both groups who also voluntarily donate their individual/personal time and resources.

Very Special In-Kind Support!

One of the most unheralded supporters year after year is Carol Barnard. She has been the best “behind the scenes supporter” I can have. Thoughts and ideas can beThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is carol-B-e1545852728229.jpg trusted with her and I can depend on consistent and honest feedback. “Friends” involves many people, donated funds, in-kind support, important business decisions, and certainly the potential for many pitfalls and mistakes. She provides me an extra set of eyes and ears and offers unadulterated feedback that keeps me grounded, humbled, and clear thinking.  

And, she edits my Posts for glaring errors and inarticulate comments I am often guilty of making. And, if you do see such problems with my Posts, most likely she did not do the editing.  So, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Carol for being such a devoted supporter and extremely valuable “Friend of Copey.” Any success “Friends” has had, without a doubt will have Carol’s fingerprints on it. Thanks!

Some Notable Quotes From “Friends” to End 2018!

Getting notes and comments from “Friends” is similar to a “paycheck” I am fortunate to receive. I appreciate each “Friend” and it is good to hear your thoughts and views on the work we are doing. Here are only a few received this year I want to share:

“Loved reading the letters from Margarita and Amy. They both write English well. I am proud to be a part of their learning experience and will continue to support the efforts of education and cultural exchange with Copey Learning Center. It is one of the joys of my life to know my small effort can make a big difference.”  Kay F.

“Love seeing the students in the Emory & Henry shirts, hats and holding banners. Go Emory & Henry College!!”  Pat W.

“What a joy it is to read your blog and to see your vision grow, you inspire me.” Cynthia M.zzzBanner of FOC

“I absolutely LOVED this post!! It is so true that no matter what we do we make a difference in someone’s life. I love reading this blog, loved my time at the Copey Learning Center, and love all the circumstances that brought our visit about.”  Carolyn J. 

“Your grand vision has afforded so many of us the opportunity to contribute, hopefully, in meaningful and developmental ways. What a treat it was to witness the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by the scholars as we briefly toured around DC.”  Zina G.

“Fantastic job of getting those letters in the blog!! They are clear and easy to read!! Great inspiration!!” Rick J.

“Yes, you are right Arthur, we do make a positive difference. It is important for us to shine a light on the darkness that we see and hear often in today’s world. I sing a few verses of “This Little Light of Mine” often and make up verses of my own. We have hope and light ahead as we witness in these young children already making such a difference. Thanks to Ms. Johnson, the students, faculty, and staff for making a positive difference. Keeping the faith!”  Lisa B.

“Another beautiful post!  Enjoyed seeing the success of your family…both older and younger.  What a great tradition you and your family have!” Eric J.

“Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity.  We enjoyed it so much.  I have told many people about our experiences and shared what a wonderful program you have going on down there.  I hope to return someday soon.  Thank you!”  Tamarie M.

What a difference you have made in 2018! Happy New Year to all! 

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    2018 Non-Financial Scorecard

    “I don’t want much for Christmas. I just want the person reading this Post to be healthy, happy, and loved!”

    WARNING!!! This report is lenthy and only Part 1 of two Parts needed to cover the full non-financial success experienced this year.

    During 2018, “Friends of Copey” witnessed a major display of volunterism and in-kind support. Our non-financial support supplimented by the financial support resulted in 2018 being “best year” yet. Last week we documented the “Financial” side of our work. This week and next week, we will take a look at all accomplished by volunteers and in-kind support.

    1. New School Update

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    We started 2018 somewhat disappointed because our “New Educational and Cultural Center” proposal was rejected late in 2017. Being a significantly large goal, we decided to place the effort on hold while the Copey community struggled with the loss their church by fire in August 2017. The Copey community’s first priority is to see the church rebuilt. However, “Friends” is still actively working on this project and we look forward to 2019 with optimism.  

    2. Surprise…Surprise!

    The Meadow Elementary School in Lehi, Utah led by Principal Carolyn Johnson and assisted by Tamarie McMullin, Lisa Watters, and Debbi Christiansen, surprised everyone this year. In early 2018 “Friends” learned about the 400 pounds of school supplies collected to be donated to the Copey Learning Center. The collection effort involved school kids, parents, and school employees all working together. Then, this collection was personally delivered to the doorstep of the Copey Learning Center. UNBELIEVABLE!

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    This enormous act of kindness and generosity resulted multiple years of savings in classroom supply expenses. BUT, we should not overlook the additional expense for airline cost, hotel and food expenses, and the unselfish donation of personal time and

    energy needed to make this all happen.

    And, it should not be lost that this story of generosity extends beyond supplies. The “kids” have been impacted.

    Students at Meadow Elementary School became aware and interested in students in Copey. This established a rare international student link. The Utah Team’s visit to Copey and the Learning Center, their time spent with staff, students, parents, and leaders is simply “priceless”. The sharing of information, skyping, and exchanging of pen pal letters can not be defined or measured in currency. The non-financial benefits are lasting. 

    3.  The 2018 Pathway Project

    Amazing Support! The “extra mile” became standard practice when the “2018 Pathway Project” followed the Utah Team. Matt and Kara, students from the Emory & Henry College journeyed to Copey to volunteer for five weeks. Upon their volunteer completion, they returned home to the USA with two Copey students and two chaperones.

    The Copey students and chaperones were welcomed to the USA by my cousin, Zina. A retired educator and life-long resident of the DC area, Zina was the ideal “host greeter” providing our guests transportation to their

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    hotel, then to a restaurant for dinner, and returned to their hotel for a much needed rest.

    Zina provided our guests a tour of our nation’s capital the following day and she treated the guests to a meal at a wonderful restaurant before completing her host service.

    Monica, Emory & Henry College’s Alumni Director, drove nearly three hundred miles to DC to meet Zina and our guests and then transported our guests to campus. Zina and Monica working as a team, accomplished all this during first 48 hours our guests were in the USA.

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    During the first week, we witnessed this level of support many times. George Whitley opened his home and covered all costs for the 2nd annual “Friends” reception attended by “Friends”, some traveling from North Carolina.

    Jane Rutledge and her family hosted a family picnic for our guests to enjoy.  Ed Davis and his wife treated our guest to bowling. Robin Grossman and her family shared their wonderful home and comfortable accommodations for our guests to stay and enjoy during their first week on campus. 

    During the second week, the generosity and support continued. Tuition, dormitory rooms, and on-campus meals were provided to allow the guests to participate in the Young Scholars and Leadership course.

    These noted “Friends” performed examples of the many ways kindness, consideration, concern, and support took place. There are many others such as Dr. Celeste Gaia, the college’s Director of International Education, who was key to establishing the “Pathway Project”. All these supporters have the “heart of servants” and voluntarily support each of the areas listed below with little or no fanfare.

    The actual financial price tag was about $5,900.00 or $1,475.00 for each of the four guests. Each dollar donated was needed and critical to the success of this project.

    But, the true price tag for the “Pathway Project” would be closer to $9,000 or more without the wide -range of in-kind support and voluntarily assistance provided.  

    4. More In-Kind Support To Be Continued

    There is much more to share about the 2018 supportive volunteers. But, this will be continued in Part 2 of the Non-Financial Scorecard next week. This story is bigger than life and very important to share…and share well.

    “Enjoy the Holidays…there is much joy to share!”

       



    2018 Financial Scorecard

    2018 Financial Scorecard

    “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”                                        By Albert Einstein

    When we began the 2018 year, our expectations were just as high as in previous years. Our historical success provided good reasons to look forward to 2018 with confidence.

    Annual Fund Raising Successes!

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    Kicking off January 2018, we launched the dual fundraising campaign to support the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund and support for the Executive Director’s annual salary.     

     The Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund goal was again set for 15 scholarships or $1,500.00. The actual amount raised with donations totaled $1,750.00.  

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    The financial goal to support the Executive Director’s Salary was set at $2,500.00 and was successfully achieved with a final total of $2,600.00. I wish to note this goal was reached nearly a month earlier than planned.

    Copey Learning Center is grateful for the level of financial support provided by “Friends” for both of these financial goals. We now have five years of scholarships (100 plus) donated and our support for the Executive Director’s salary has been in place for four years.

    The investments in both areas of funding support have resulted in more students learning English and the Copey Learning Center enjoying competent and consistent leadership.

    Successful Financial Year for the Pathway Project! 

    The 2018 Pathway Project fundraising goal was originally set at $6,500.00 to cover round trip costs and related expenses from Copey, Costa Rica to the USA and back home for two students and two chaperones.

    During the fundraising campaign, some planned travel and food costs where eliminated when “Friends” offered to replace these costs with valuable in-kind support. The goal was cautiously reduced from the $6,500.00 goal to $6,200.00.    

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    The total amount of donations received was $6,180.00 and the total expenses were $5,907.72. The airfare alone made up 75% of our total expenses. This left $272.28 unspent and these funds are being held over for the 2019 Pathway Project. 

    One key observation this year was the growing amount of in-kind support we experienced for the Pathway Project. This kept our overall financial need very reasonable. 

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    Each year, we have donated funds for school supplies and we have supported the annual “Spelling Bee”. Fortunately, this year the Copey Learning Center received an unbelievable donation of school supplies. There will be more said about this in next week’s Post.

    The “Spelling Bee” was canceled in 2018 due to the Costa Rican “employee strike” which involved public schools and teachers. No funds were needed for the “Spelling Bee”.

    “Friends” has an important role. We actively help provide opportunities so more students can attend the Copey Learning Center. We support keeping quality and consistent leadership in place to manage the Copey Learning Center. And, we support recognizing, rewarding, and encouraging student success. 

    “Friends” continues to strive to make a practice of requesting donations only when we are supporting one of the general areas covered in this report. And each time there has been a call for support,  you have responded favorably and generously to the opportunity to “make a difference”.

    Thank You and Happy Holidays