Do you remember dreaming big in Northampton? When the world was a door and you were well-prepared to walk through it? If you can remember that, then read on…
Our 35th reunion will be here before we know it!
And when we gather again back in Northampton for lots of fun, catching up and sharing of the dreams we’re dreaming now, we’ll also want be proud of the collective contributions we’ve made and what we’ve given back to Smith College.
We were dreaming big when we last met in 2008. At our 30th Reunion, we voted to create a class project -- establishing a scholarship fund to support young women from developing and post-conflict countries who would like to attend Smith, but otherwise would not have the opportunity due to financial – or even cultural – roadblocks.
Our proposal to the Board of Trustees was quickly approved, and we got approval to move forward with the Smith College Class of ’78 “Fulfill the Potential” Scholarship Fund. You may have heard about it already – or you may be hearing about it for the first time thanks to our new, more complete e-mail list. Either way, please click here to read more about it, and please share the link with other classmates and potential supporters.
We can be proud of our class and our mission because we have succeeded in raising $50,000 to date!
Our challenge? A long way still to go. To establish the fund, we must continue to gather another $100,000 in contributions prior to our 35th Reunion, or before June 30, 2013. If we don't make our goal by 2013, establishing a class fund will be much more difficult, requiring we raise an additional $100,000 in contributions for a total of $250,000..
Right now, there are already 50 young women on campus participating in our Scholarship Program. And they are dreaming big -- even though they come from cultures where women are not allowed to dream big. As a class, we contributed – and continue to contribute – to making their dreams come true, and changing the world forever.
Please read the spotlight article from Aigerem – a current program participant. Think about how a Smith education contributed to the size of your dreams, how much your contribution means to each of these young women –- to all Smith women everywhere -- and to the future of our global society.
If each one of us donates $250 before our next reunion, we'll make our goal. Will you join us today?
I tell you what: For each of the first 100 donations of $200 or more, I’ll add on another $50. And if all 400 of you donate even $50 or more, I promise to do my best to continue adding to donations right up until we meet our goal in June, 2013! Drop me a note at the email address below, to let me know you contributed and what amount.
And, if you’re making your donation online, don’t forget to select Class of 1978 “Fulfill the Potential Scholarship” on the tab labeled, "GIFT PURPOSE”. If you’re sending a check, please write the Scholarship name on the memo line.
If we reach our goal, our class will have a legacy, to which we can contribute as much as we want every year – and that will continue to help young women for decades to come
But … there is no time to waste. Let's keep dreaming big for the young women who will continue to follow us through Northampton. If we make our goal, we'll be feeling great and standing proud in 2013.
Thank you for your quick response to this appeal, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Annie De Groot '78
Class of 1978 Fundraising Officer
E-mail: dr.annie.degroot@gmail.com
