Dear First name / friend of Bridge to Türkiye,

 

With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s the perfect time to celebrate gratitude and look ahead to Giving Tuesday—a day dedicated to turning thankfulness into action. It's a day when ordinary actions spark extraordinary change, and every act of generosity ripples far beyond what we can see.

 

This year, you can be the light for children and young people in underserved communities across Türkiye. By joining forces with BTF, your contributions will directly empower students in village schools, and strengthen communities recovering from hardship.

🏆 Launch your own fundraiser: Lead your family, friends, or colleagues in rallying behind a cause you care about most. Choose from classrooms or projects that resonate with your heart.

 

📢 Support an existing fundraiser: Amplify the efforts of others by donating or spreading the word.

 

💳 Make an individual donaton: Even a small gesture—like the cost of a cup of coffee—can create meaningful change for underserved children in Türkiye. It’s simple, fast, and powerful.

 

Curious about where to start? Explore our 2024 Giving Tuesday Catalog and discover the classroom or cause closest to your heart.

 

But that’s not all! We're happy to invite you to join our BTF Zoom Café on November 24th. It’s a chance to connect, hear more about our Giving Tuesday plans, and ask any questions you may have about getting involved. Click here to RSVP. If you’re unable to join the Zoom Café, we’re just an email away!

 

This Giving Tuesday, let’s not just give—we can inspire, empower, and uplift. Together, we can ensure that no dream is too distant and no child feels forgotten.

 

 

Warmly,

 

Bridge to Türkiye Fund

We value your voice! At BTF, we’re always striving to improve our programs and make our impact in Türkiye more meaningful to you. That’s why we’re inviting you to participate in our donor survey. Your feedback is crucial in helping us better serve the communities we support and ensure your generosity goes further. Click here to share your thoughts and help us grow together!

News From Our Community

On October 12, COEDFO’s Jazz in the Garden concert united people both in person and online, raising funds to support the education of students in need. Together, music and community made a meaningful impact!

 

🎓 A New Beginning in Iskenderun
After months of dedicated reconstruction, the doors of Iskenderun Technical University’s Vocational School reopened on October 14. Thanks to the incredible efforts of METU graduates and Eymir Kültür Vakfı, this vital institution is once again ready to shape Türkiye’s future, graduating 800 skilled mid-level workers each year. With the generous support of our community and the Oregon Turkish American Association (ORTA), BTF was proud to be the largest sponsor of this crucial project.

 

🍷 Cheers to Education in San Diego
BTF San Diego Circle hosted Wine Night with Noyan on October 19, uniting San Diego’s Turkish community for an evening filled with music, connection and purpose. The funds raised will sponsor scholarships for many young girls in Türkiye—helping to empower and inspire the next generation!

 

🌳 Planting Hope: The Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge Project
The Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge project officially launched in Hatay on October 26 with an inspiring goal: to plant 101 saplings in honor of 101 years of the Turkish Republic. The initiative quickly exceeded expectations and is now expanding to plant hundreds more trees across Hatay. Two goals down—so much more to grow!

 

🏫 Smiles for Siverek: Our New Kindergarten Opens
On October 31, our team joined Çocuklar Gülsün Diye Derneği to open our sixth kindergarten together—this time in Siverek, Şanlıurfa. Another beautiful space for young minds to learn and grow!

 

📰 BTF in the Spotlight
President Emin Pamucak shared the inspiring story of BTF’s early years and discussed BTF's vision for fostering a community that transcends traditional philanthropy in TurkNetwork’s November issue. Click here to read the exclusive interview.

 

💻 Our First Zoom Café of the Season
On November 2, we hosted our first Zoom Café of 2024, connecting BTF leaders from across the U.S. for updates, inspiration, and meaningful conversations. Missed it? No problem! Click here to sign up for the next one on November 24—we’d love to see you there!

🏃 BTF Crossing Continents for the First Time
On November 3, the BTF logo made its debut at the Istanbul Marathon in support of the Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge project. A meaningful step—literally—towards a more sustainable future!

 

🇹🇷 Honoring Atatürk’s Legacy in Texas
The Turkish Society of Texas (TURKSOTX) organized Atatürk Legacy Day in Dallas on November 10 to honor the enduring legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye.

 

🌳 Mastic Trees from Çeşme Are Taking Root in Hatay

On November 11, together with Nihat Demirel, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, the first 50 mastic trees of the Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge project were planted on Mustafa Kemal University’s campus. This exciting milestone marks the beginning of the project's efforts to rebuild livelihoods and ecosystems in Hatay!