Peace Corps Dominican Republic Gala a Wonderful Success!

PEACE CORPS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GALA - LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN 2012 OF THE PEACE CORPS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

By Kathy Padilla and Lou Ferrand

On Thursday March 11, Fondo Quisqueya and Friends of the Dominican Republic sponsored a Peace Corps Dominican Republic Gala, “Looking Ahead to the 50^th Anniversary of the U. S. Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, which will be celebrated in Santo Domingo in 2012. 

The event was held at the Stewart Mott House in Washington, D.C.  It celebrated Fondo Q’s scholarship and grant program for low income Dominicans & FDR’s Community Challenge Fund and Program Support Fund. 

Honored guests were Senator Chris Dodd and Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams, both of whom were PCVs in the DR.  Speakers were former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, [who, along with Sergeant Shriver was one of the 3 Founders of the Peace Corps];  Kevin Quigley, President of the National Peace Corps Association;  Mike McCabe, Chief of Programming at Peace Corps for the Inter-America and Pacific Region, [who presented a slide show on current Peace Corps Projects in the DR, which was prepared by DRPC Director Romeo Massey, members of his staff and DRPCVs]; and Ambassador Roberto B. Saladin Selen, the Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to the United States.  Fondo Q President Lou Ferrand and FDR Treasurer John Evans also addressed the attendees.  Tom Gittins, Fondo Q’s Events Chair, was the MC.  Over 50 people attended the event, and all had a very nice time.