Fondo Quisqueya - FQ News

Peace Corps Dominican Republic Gala a Wonderful Success!

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:40:21 -0400

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.

REGISTER FOR THE MARCH 11 PEACE CORPS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GALA

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:48:04 -0400

PEACE CORPS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GALA

March 11, 2010

►Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.
►Celebrating Fondo Q’s scholarship program for low income Dominicans and Friends of the DR’s Community Challege Fund and Program Support Fund.
►Honoring two of our most distinguished alumni, Senator Chris Dodd and Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams.
►Featuring remarks by Kevin Quigley, President, National Peace Corps Association and Honorable Harris L. Wofford.
Thursday, March 11, 6 – 8 pm
Stewart Mott House , 122 Maryland Ave., NE
(located between the Hart Senate Office Building and the Supreme Court – parking at Union Station – between Metro stops at Union Station and Capitol South)
$55.00 per person.
Please REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE no later than March 5.

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER - November 2009

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:50:45 -0500

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER

November, 2009 - By Lou Ferrand

June 14, 2009 was a wonderful afternoon for the FQ annual picnic/meeting. Tom and Sue Gittins provided a great back yard and sausages and hamburgers. Everyone brought side dishes to complement the feast. With the most recent round of Fondo Q's grants and scholarships approved in October 2009, we have helped fund educations and training opportunities for 374 low-income Dominicans this year at a cost of approximately $14,700. Many of these were for group awards such as an award to 22 women to learn how to make artisan bags; an award to 15 members of a coffee cooperative for organic agriculture certification training, an award to 10 youth in a "Brigada Verde" group to learn about coral reef preservation; and an award to 25 youth for a business course on starting and managing their own business in their communities. Individual awards were given for computer and English classes, an HIV/AIDS program; an apprenticeship in masonry and woodworking; a beauty salon course; and many more.

It is always amazing to me that a relatively small amount of money can go so far in helping individuals change their lives.

I know that these are difficult financial times for all of us. However, please contribute and help us to help low-income Dominicans who otherwise might not have the opportunity to learn and develop skills which can help them to change, in a positive way, their lives and those of their loved ones.

I wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

FQ Annual Meeting Results - June 14, 2009

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:52:04 -0500

FQ ANNUAL MEETING - June 14, 2009

By Karen Clough

FQ President Lou Ferrand discussed plans for the next year. Our goal is to give out at least $3,000 in grants and scholarships each quarter, totaling at least $12,000 per year. Most grants and scholarships are for $300 or less.

In addition, Lou talked about what a small amount of money can do. For example, a FQ grant is paying for teachers at a computer lab near San Cristobal to give computer classes to more than 30 Dominicans.

Elections were held for Fondo Q Board members and officers. BJ Warren, Bill Threlkeld, and Anne Kopley were nominated and elected to new three-year terms. Laura Sundquist, an ex-PCV who served as FQ liaison in the DR during her PC service, was elected as a new Board member.

Officers elected are: President, Lou Ferrand; Vice President, BJ Warren; Secretary, Karen Clough; and Treasurer, Bill Threlkeld.

Tom Gittins will continue as Events Chair, and Joanna Mauer will continue as Newsletter Editor.

Some of us "early" PC folks had conversations with people from our group who live in the DC Metropolitan area but who we had not kept in touch with. Nobody in the group could remember the number for us. Were we DR 5 or DR 7? We were there from 1963-1965. One thing we did agree upon, however, was that our PC experience was the best thing we had ever accomplished in our mostly colorful lives.

Should you be in the Washington area during the first or second weeks of June, plan to join the festivities.

Who knows, you may rekindle some friendships.

50th DRPC Reunion in Early 2012 - Mark your Calendars!

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:09:51 -0400

In early 2012, Fondo Q, FDR, the Andres Hernandez Foundation, and PCDR will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. As more information becomes available, it will be posted here and on FDR's website.

Start thinking about attending. It is always a great event, and a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and to make new ones.

Fondo Q's Annual Meeting & BBQ at 4 p.m. on June 14, 2009

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:21:45 -0400

Join us for Fondo Q's Annual Meeting and BBQ on Sunday, June 14 at Tom and Sue Gittins' home in Falls Church, VA. All current and past DR PCVs, Staff, and other friends of FQ and their families are invited!

The BBQ will feature Tom's famous chicken and sausage and homemade delicacies contributed by attendees.

Elections for new Officers and Board members will be held, the annual report on finances and scholarships awarded during the year will be given, and ideas and plans for grant and scholarship activities for the next 12 months will be discussed. We hope to see you there! Confirm your attendance with Tom Gittins at:

(703) 241-0634 or GITASOCINC@aol.com