|
|
 2021 Holiday Newsletter
It is hard to believe we are almost through the holiday season, and 2021 is nearing an end! |
|
|
Giving Tuesday Update:
We are delighted to announce that this year’s Giving Tuesday Facebook fundraiser was a wonderful success. Together we came very close to our $5,000 goal. This was a great way for us to start accepting donations and pledges as we move into end of year giving.
|
|
Read for the Record Events:
Each year, Jumpstart selects a book for their Read for the Record day that takes place in the fall. At the library in SJDS, we read the book all year long, and the celebration kicks off at our anniversary event. The anniversary celebration was not held this year due to COVID, but we did host two events where this year’s book Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon was read to local students in the library and at Escuela Adelante, a local bilingual school. 50 books have been purchased to distribute throughout the coming year to schools and libraries in our system and crafts to coordinate with Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon were created for the two earlier presentations and will be replicated for all the schools and libraries receiving books. |
|
Professor Edgar’s Purisima Gifts:
Our partnership with Opportunity Tree International provides funding for professors and their transportation to teach at a local Saturday school. This year, one of the professors, Edgar, suffered from very serious medical conditions. The community of SJDS rallied around Edgar and even hosted funding events to help him recover. Edgar asked library staff if they could help him print graduation certificates for students and drive him to Massya to purchase Purisima gifts. He would like to use these gifts to say thanks and give back to his community.
“La Purísima” is a religious festivity that celebrates the purest conception of the Virgin Mary. The Catholic celebration takes place at the end of November and runs until most of December. It’s celebrated with a “novena” (nine days of prayer and devotion) and “La Griteria” — a massive event held on December 7th in the streets of Nicaragua. During the novena and griteria, altars are built, singing occurs and gifts are handed out.” – Latintimes |
|
Graduation Uniforms for Los Quinchos Girls:
Edwin received notice from the home for street children with whom we partner in San Marcos that some of their students were in need of uniforms so they could attend their graduation ceremonies. Six of the girls newer to the program shopped with Edwin for their new uniforms and shoes.
|
|
 | |
The soon to be graduates shopping for their uniforms! |
|
|
The San Juan del Sur Biblioteca has long been a resource for students in need of a uniform in order to graduate or a blue banner to show they are the top student in their class. The honor reverts to the next best student if no banner can be provided. |
|
Looking Forward to 2022:
In January, the HJH Executive Board will meet in person for the very first time since its formation for a retreat in Annapolis, Maryland. Patricia Herron (Vice President), Rosemary Green (Secretary), and Lily Griner (Secretary) each live in the Maryland area. Jane Mirandette (President) and Jill Gramling (Secretary) will travel from Colorado and Vermont (respectively) to join them. The retreat carves out some time for us to reflect on our mission and create a clear vision for the future. We are excited to be joined by Barbara Thorne and Janet Lee who are both members of the Advisory Board and Will Hudgins, a longtime supporter of HJH and husband to Patricia. |
|
 |
The HJH Advisory Board and San Juan del Sur Biblioteca
Staff wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!
Pictured from top left to bottom right: SJDS Staff and Family (Jhossy, Claudia, Edwin, Katia, Wiston, Heidy, Denis, and Whitney), Alex Brown, Ann Zebrowski, Jane Mirandette, Patricia Herron, Barbara Thorne, Jill Gramling, Rosemary Green, Janet Lee, Victor Zuniga, Aneene Barerra, and Lily Griner. |
|
Along with the retreat, we have so many exciting things planned for 2022. In 2021, our Board focused on securing grant funding to support community enhancement projects and 2022 will be the year to bring them to life! The IRRT grant we were awarded this year to provide a 3D printing technology training course to middle school students will happen early next spring. We have also accepted Opportunity Tree International’s gracious offer to support the installation of a RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) system at Escuela Adelante. The RACHEL system provides digital educational materials to schools with limited or no internet access. Opportunity Tree typically funds the satellite libraries located in 12 local schools as well as the salaries and transportation for Saturday school. However, since COVID halted almost everything in 2020, we felt those projects were well funded for 2021 and chose to repurpose funds from Opportunity Tree to implement this innovative system. Our goal is to use this school as a pilot program and eventually secure more funding to install RACHEL units in four other schools in the area.
We are hopeful that someday soon groups will be able to travel with us once again as we know many of you are looking forward to joining us on future trips to Nicaragua. We really do miss having you all in Nicaragua with us!
We sincerely ask that you consider making a year end donation to our HJH Foundation so that we can enter into 2022 in stable financial condition. 30% of annual donations for most nonprofits occur within the last 30 days of the year. Giving Tuesday was a wonderful start to year-end giving, but more funding is needed to sustain our ever growing mission in Nicaragua. Please consider making a donation or pledge using the links below or by check.
|
|
|
Recurring gifts are the bedrock of our Foundation and help keep our work sustainable. Please consider becoming a monthly donor; even a small amount makes a big impact! |
|
We are registered as Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All.
Please donate today with the PayPal or JustGiving buttons above OR by check made payable to:
HJH Programs
1716 Del Norte Ave.
Loveland, CO 80538
|
|
|
Note From Jane:
I am more than impressed with how far we have come in 20 years. So, as we look back at these past 20 years we pause to say with overwhelming gratitude, thank you all so much. Let’s all move into this 21st year with hope, optimism, and ever stronger dedication in the goals of “Leveraging the power of education and literacy to enhance community vitality.”
With my deepest gratitude, Jane
|
|
| | |
|
