Enjoy good company, food, music, silent and
live auctions, and a cash bar.

WHEN:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018
6:30 – 9:30 pm

WHERE

CANFIELD CASINO25 EAST CONGRESS STCONGRESS PARKSARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

REGISTER:

www.thegivingcircle.org
$100 ticket price

Several local organizations, businesses, and individuals will be honored for the contributions they have made to our community.

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

• Local Business: LONGFELLOWS & OLDE BRYAN INN
• Local Individual Resident: KATHY MCNEICE
• Local Non Profit: THE SOUL SAVING STATION
• Founders Award: ED & LISA MITZEN
• The Serge Shishik Memorial Local Team Member of the Year:KEVIN WHEELER
• TGC US-based Team Member: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER ORZA
• TGC Uganda-based Individual Member: ALIKOBA ELIZABETH

The Giving Circle is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that works locally, nationally, and internationally to improve the lives of those who are suffering. We have no paid staff so all funds raised go directly to families and communities in need.

The Giving Circle’s three classroom addition is progressing very well. Thank you so much Dear Nagina and all who are working hard on the building.  The pictures give us an idea of what a fine job the builders are doing.

We are very sorry to report that, due to an attack in Kabul a month ago and the killing of 48 young ladies training to be teachers, we will be putting on hold the plan to sponsor young future female teachers for now, as we will not place 50 more girls in danger.
https://www.theguardian.com/…/kabul-suicide-blast-kills-at-…

We are 100% committed to our Afghan friends and are considering our next steps, we will help make a change in Afghanistan,

In Uganda, construction of Robins Nest is under way, hand digging for the foundation and making blocks.  We have videos from Moses showing how tough but steady the progress is.

This will be a MOST important building, home to all our current Koi Koi kids and to all who, over the generations, will be our sons and daughters. Also, when school is in session, each year it will be home to one-hundred deaf and disabled children for many generations to come.

We are still short of our goal, please consider helping us make this dream come true https://www.thegivingcircle.org/wordpress/koikoikidshome/

Favorite night of the week! Tonight was extra special…. guest chef and musician was Donny!!! Lots of friends joined us for a wonderful meal and music. So thankful you wanted to giveback!

Collette and her crew made delicious desserts and served the meal!  Lisa stopped by with a yummy mac and cheese!  Thanks to Jay for getting the golden boys home. 

We missed Jack and Melissa!!

It’s almost that time of the year again! The Gala is upon us and the 2018 Compassion Awards will be announced. During the next seven days, each day we will introduce you to one of the VERY special winners. That is one, a day at a time.

The Gals is going to be terrific. Get your tickets now! https://www.thegivingcircle.org/wordpress/2018-compassion-awards/

Good news from our brother in Uganda. The work is progressing on the new home, Robin’s Nest. Sooner than we dared to hope we’ll have a FOREVER home for our Koi Koi Kids, for generations of kids who need us to make them family, and for countless deaf and disabled children who deserve to have futures.

Building a forever home, what could be more important for children who have never known such a thing?

https://www.facebook.com/mark.bertrand.56/videos/10217457217601529/?t=10

Here are a few more photos from today’s walk for the Koi Koi House. We did 12km — one for each of the original orphans for which the house was created.  Now, we’re building a new and larger residence. The top picture is of many of the deaf and disabled children who will be moving into Robin’s Nest.  The rest were taken Sunday when the three of us walked the 12km.

 Learn more about  Robin’s Nest at:

https://www.thegivingcircle.org/wordpress/koikoikidshome/

Well, we made it. We managed to cover all12 K of the 12 we planned. That translates to1k walked to honor each of our first Koi Koi Kids. Soon we’ll have Robin’s Nest near our original Koi Koi House and it will become home to a far larger number of deaf and disabled children.

The first pictures show ten of our first dozen kids as we first met them. They are almost all teenagers now and doing wonderfully because we cared for and loved them. And this was possible thanks to the help of so many of you. This new house will be for generations a safe, clean home of love and education.

I did not fall all because I had Kelly Mommakoikoi, Leo Geoffrion, and Rob Wright ( Barefoot) to lean on. Still, I am tired – really tired – as this is the longest I have walked in a year. Also I am VERY sore. But WE made it.

One last big push! If you have not donated yet, please get on it. Monday is the last day to contribute to help meet the $40,000 match challenge. Oh, and did I mention that I am REALLY sore.

This Sunday it’s again time to walk for a cause. And this time the cause is to replace our endangered orphanage by constructing a boarding house, Robin’s Nest. We are SO close to reaching the funding goal that we think we can walk there (pun intended).

THANKS to SO many of you, particularly two very generous donors. This includes of course our benefactor who made the $40,000 challenge donation.

Sunday, I plan to walk and wobble 12 km. My Kelly Mommakoikoi, Leo Geoffrion and Rob Wright will accompany me. We’ll cover 1km in honor of each of our first 12 Koi Koi kids. Koi Koi house residents number far more than twelve now. But Robin’s Nest will be able to house close to 100 deaf and disabled children.

Because we are so close to the total amount needed to build the new structure, we’ve started construction.  The history of your generosity makes us certain that we can get the balance. So, in the spirit of “bring ‘em home”, we confidently ask that you sponsor our walk. The site for pledges is https://www.thegivingcircle.org/wordpress/koikoikidshome/

Some members of our VERY cool teen board hard at work. Sarah Los and Alex Laddis representing The Giving Circle at Club Night for incoming freshman at Saratoga High School!