News & Events
-2024-
July and August 2024
In anticipation of our fundraiser in 2025, a group of Orange County friends
convened at Chi Nhon’s house in Newport Coast to share ideas and shape
the program of the upcoming JISF event. The afternoon discussion went on
into a lovely al fresco dinner. Thank you, Chi Nhon! The weather was balmy
under a perfect sky. A lively singing session and animated conversation
ended our evening in harmony.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who gave their precious time and participated in
this endeavor. Much is to be done, but the wheels have started turning.
Thaivi’s trip to Toronto this year for a yearly reunion with RM70 friends was
also remarkable for the fellowship and good will shared by all present. We
spent a great deal of time making origami cranes for our fundraiser, and
collected several beautiful jewelry items for the silent auction. We finalized
our plans to go together on the Camino to Compostela. This was a
cherished dream some of us have harbored for over fifty years! We hope to
come back alive to tell the tale.
Our deepest gratitude also goes to our donors of this month: Thu Anh
Hoang, Anh Dao Kieu, Bich Ngoc Le, and a repeat donor from Toronto.
Thanks to all of you, we are 3/5 of the way towards our goal.
June 2024
Our fundraising event of March 23, 2024, organized by ECO (East Coast Oiseaux) in Falls Church, VA, was a great success on several levels. Of note, we found in one another a renewed sense of accomplishment as we said goodbye to our guests that night. This success has given us the impetus to consider another fundraiser in 2025 in Orange County, California.
After several weeks, we have found a conveniently located place in Orange County. We are happy to announce that this venue will be perfect for what we have in mind. Stay tuned for more.
In the meantime, we continue to receive more donations notably from Dominique Nong, Chi Hanh Quan Huynh, Natasha Van Pham, as well as other benefactor-friends. Our heartfelt thanks to all for your generosity towards JISF and its mission.
May 2024
“In gratitude for our blessings,” writes Anh Dao Kieu, RM73, as she sends a gift to JISF to celebrate the arrival of her first grandchild.
We welcome Chana Leah into our JISF village, and thank Anh Dao for allowing us to share in the joy of her family.
March 2024
We’ve had over two months of feverish activity involving supporters and JISF Board members to plan for our first ever JISF large scale fundraiser. The event, slated for March 23, 2024, took place as planned in Washington, DC, on a cold and rainy day.
Many East Coast Oiseaux graced us with their presence. Professors Julie Bích Liên Hoàng, Minh Châu Trương, and Mme Đinh Hà, sent their regrets, but were among our most ardent supporters. Only one professor, Cô Nguyệt Thu Lê, could attend. Her presence was a great honor and encouragement for us.
Of note, Chị Việt Hưng and Anh Đào Kiều flew in from the West Coast to lend their support. Chị Nhơn Nguyễn Nông and Anh Anh Thế Nông also made a special trip to Virginia to be with us. All in all, it was a fully attended event with dinner, raffles, live auction, and live entertainment provided by several local artists who donated their time and musical talent.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all participants. We could not have made it without you!
A special thank-you to the following alumnae:
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Mai Lan Tran, RM75, our MC with the mellifluous voice, charm, and poise.
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Bích Lộc Nguyễn, RM76, who invited many of her friends and provided us with special support.
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Mỹ Phượng Phan, RM79, and husband Quang, whose time and expertise in graphic design and photography, communications and public relations proved invaluable. Your hard work and an uncanny sense of organization also gave us a much needed brochure to introduce JISF to the public in a concise manner.
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-Bernadette Bình Clow, RM74, who donated her precious time and provided us with a gorgeous homemade gelatine confection. Her husband Gordon also came and brought a friend to the event in a rare show of support.
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Trinh Nguyễn Phan, CJ78, who went above and beyond by hosting a welcome dinner at her house the night before and organizing a bus tour to view cherry blossoms. She also succesfully conducted a raffle lottery and live auction with much poise and showmanship.
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Thục Trinh Hoàng and Cẩm Quyên Thái, RM73 and RM/NDL76, who expertly handled the donations portion of this event.
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Kim Chi Nguyễn, RM81, whose electric presence and warm singing voice provided a lovely entertainment program enjoyed by all.
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Mộng Trang Perrault, RM74, who contributed her spirit and lent a much needed hand in the making of the brochures and introduction letter.
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Anh Đào Kiều, RM73, who jumped into a red eye flight at the last minute to join us.
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Bích Uyển Lê, RM74, and husband, and Bích Lưu, RM81, and husband, who made the trip from Florida to lend us a hand.
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Chị Ngọc Dung Trần, RM63, who inspired us all with her spirit and enthusiasm.
A big shout out to all from all over the US and Canada who bought raffle tickets in support of the children of CND schools. You inspire us to do for others with nary a thought for yourselves. You remind me of something someone once said, “What the heart gives away is never gone. It is kept in the hearts of others.” ~ Robin St. John
Saturday, March 23rd 2024 Fundraiser in Washington DC
January 2024
The new year brings happy news for JISF as we continue to receive several contributions from our friends and supporters as follows: Chị Oanh Nguyen from Montreal, PQ, Canada; Bernadette Bình Clow, RM74, from Annandale, VA; Trinh Nguyen Phan, CJ78, from Fairfax, VA; Quyen Schlegel, NDL/RM70, from Bern, Switzerland, and another dear and faithful friend who wishes to remain anonymous.
Of note, a group of alumnae from the Washington, DC, Area, has expressed the desire to organize a fundraising event slated for March 23, 2024.
Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved. Zoom meetings have started the ball rolling.