Facebook
Submit a New Listing

Tornado displaced two First Generation families

Tornado displaced two First Generation families
PRESS RELEASE: First Generation to use all donations between now and July 15th for the aid of two displaced first generation members and their families.

UPDATE** and more information below…

fg_title
Dear First Generation, Performance Project Friends, Families and Colleagues:
We are joining forces with Boston poet Charles Coe to put out a call for support for two of our First Generation members and their families. They shared a home that was destroyed by the recent tornado in Springfield. BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 15, EVERY DOLLAR DONATED TO THE PERFORMANCE PROJECT ONLINE WILL BE USED TO ASSIST THE FAMILIES WHOSE HOME WAS DESTROYED. Please read Charles’ letter below, and know that every little bit helps!
Thank you,
Julie Lichtenberg
To securely donate the amount of your choice via PayPal go to:

http://www.performanceproject.org/donate.html
To My Friends and Colleagues:
We all know how some of our Massachusetts neighbors are struggling with the effects of the tornados that struck a number of their communities. I know that many of you have already made donations to relief organizations now helping people get back on their feet.  However, there happens to be an opportunity to offer some very targeted assistance…
On Wednesday, June 1st, a young woman named Devi was rehearsing as a member of the First Generation Youth Ensemble of The Performance Project–an excellent community-based theater company in Springfield, Mass. During rehearsal the actors heard something about there being local tornado warnings, but they were too focused on their work to really listen carefully. Devi returned home to West Springfield after rehearsal to find that the house her family rents with another family had been reduced to a pile of kindling.
Both families, originally from Bhutan, spent nearly eighteen years in a Nepalese refugee camp, where Devi was born and raised. She’d never had a home until her family moved to Massachusetts less than two years ago. The families had no renters insurance, so they lost virtually everything they owned; they weren’t able to recover much more than Devi’s grandmother’s saris.
Please take Julie up on her remarkable and generous offer, and take a moment–right now–to make a donation. And remember: every little bit helps. Here again is the link to donate securely via PayPal:
http://www.performanceproject.org/donate.html

With all its faults, one of this country’s great strengths has always been our willingness to pitch in and help a neighbor in trouble. As recent immigrants, Devi and her family have probably heard or seen some things that represent America at its worst.
This is our chance to show them America at its best…
Sincerely,
Charles Coe
**July 1, 2011 Update**

Good news!!

After almost a month of living in a FEMA shelter, the First Generation families finally moved into their new homes.

Thanks to your generosity, these families can begin building their lives again.

The families did recover some precious family treasures from their destroyed home such as: saris brought from Bhutan and Nepal; metal plates handed down through the family for many generations; and family photos, prayer books, and documents.

However, they still need to restock their new homes with basic necessities.

We are still hoping to receive support from as many of you as feel able to contribute. Please know that 100% of your contributions through July 15th are dedicated to assisting these families in rebuilding their lives. Please see the original email below for more details.
To make your secure donation using PayPal, please go to the link below and scroll down to the yellow “Donate” button at the bottom of the page:

With Gratitude,
Julie Lichtenberg

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *