TSF benefit raises spirits – and funds – in San Francisco
05/10/10
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Although the San Francisco sky was predictably overcast on Saturday, May 8, inside TSF board president Laura Batie's home the atmosphere was warm and sunny as nearly fifty foundation supporters joined Ven. Sogan Rinpoche and several other board members for a house party.
Originally planned to help generate the funds still needed for the Bayan Water Project, the event became instead a celebration of the completion of fundraising and an opportunity to discuss how we plan to direct the money raised in excess of our target amount - $30,000 for the water system itself.
On behalf of TSF's board of directors, Laura announced that there are two areas of need which will benefit from the additional funds: Bayan seniors and victims of the April 14 earthquake in Kyigudo.
For the seniors, many of whom are extremely impoverished, we plan to underwrite the purchase of warm blankets, and clean, non-toxic vessels for carrying water from the soon-to-be-constructed pump houses; many of the water containers now in use once held gasoline and are likely contaminated with dangerous chemicals. The need for help for the earthquake survivors is urgent; over the next few weeks we will be determining how best we can offer support.
Please visit our site for updates about these humanitarian efforts. And thank YOU for your generosity which continues to enable us to bring hope and opportunity to those most in need.
Originally planned to help generate the funds still needed for the Bayan Water Project, the event became instead a celebration of the completion of fundraising and an opportunity to discuss how we plan to direct the money raised in excess of our target amount - $30,000 for the water system itself.
On behalf of TSF's board of directors, Laura announced that there are two areas of need which will benefit from the additional funds: Bayan seniors and victims of the April 14 earthquake in Kyigudo.
For the seniors, many of whom are extremely impoverished, we plan to underwrite the purchase of warm blankets, and clean, non-toxic vessels for carrying water from the soon-to-be-constructed pump houses; many of the water containers now in use once held gasoline and are likely contaminated with dangerous chemicals. The need for help for the earthquake survivors is urgent; over the next few weeks we will be determining how best we can offer support.
Please visit our site for updates about these humanitarian efforts. And thank YOU for your generosity which continues to enable us to bring hope and opportunity to those most in need.
Lake Tahoe celebrates with TSF
05/07/10
In California on May 2, 2010, friends of The Sogan Foundation gathered for a festive dinner at the Blue Angel Cafe in South Lake Tahoe, a town which lies on the shores of the pristine Lake Tahoe, a large freshwater lake nestled high among the Sierra Nevada mountains. To the delight of our supporters, the Cafe's own Chef Jens Dressler prepared a feast of traditional Tibetan dishes. An internationally trained chef, Jens served a variety of Tibetan classics like tsampa made from barley flour and butter tea, and momos, a kind of steamed dumpling.
The program began with a short talk given by TSF chairman, Sogan Rinpoche, followed by board president Laura Batie’s presentation of a slide show about our projects. An after-dinner raffle featured items generously donated by friends of the organization – including scarves, hats, photos and works of Tibetan art and craft. This event raised $1200 for the Bayan Seniors Water Project. Many thanks to all who contributed to this successful – and joyful! – fundraising evening.
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Flowers’ Festival in Italy helps Tibetan people
04/30/10
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Recently TSF friends and supporters in Italy have been busy spreading the word about The Sogan Foundation's humanitarian work, especially the Bayan Senior Water Project which is now in final stages of fundraising, with the start of construction coming soon.
In a beautifully decorated exhibit at Lignano in Fiore (Spring Flowers's Festival), visitors see photos from Tibet and learn about the Bayan senior community. The annual event, held at the north Italian seaside resort town of Lignano on the Adriatic, takes place over three weekends starting in mid-April. The festival is run by volunteers, and it was started in 1987 to raise money for seriously ill children in the local community; over time, its tradition of generosity and celebration has expanded to include helping charitable projects the world over.
The Sogan Foundation wishes to express our deep gratitude to those whose hard work and dedication have made the exhibit and fundraising effort possible and we are honored to be a part of this year's program in lovely “Lignano of the golden sand.”
In a beautifully decorated exhibit at Lignano in Fiore (Spring Flowers's Festival), visitors see photos from Tibet and learn about the Bayan senior community. The annual event, held at the north Italian seaside resort town of Lignano on the Adriatic, takes place over three weekends starting in mid-April. The festival is run by volunteers, and it was started in 1987 to raise money for seriously ill children in the local community; over time, its tradition of generosity and celebration has expanded to include helping charitable projects the world over.
The Sogan Foundation wishes to express our deep gratitude to those whose hard work and dedication have made the exhibit and fundraising effort possible and we are honored to be a part of this year's program in lovely “Lignano of the golden sand.”
Earthquake in Qinghai province
04/15/10
DEAR FRIENDS,
Our hearts are heavy with the sad news of the many who are suffering in the wake of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Kyigudo (Chinese: Yushu), a Tibetan region that neighbors Golok. While our friends in Golok report no damage there, over 1400 people have died in Kyigudo. Many thousands more are injured, and there are reports of widespread devastation to buildings and property.
We are accepting donations to meet the enormous need within affected communities in the region. 100% of your donation will be directed to the relief effort. You can donate via Paypal on our website (please specify Earthquake Relief in the add special instructions to the seller section). Checks should be made out to The Sogan Foundation and sent to us at 1559 28th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122. Please note Earthquake Relief on the memo line.
Thank you.
Our hearts are heavy with the sad news of the many who are suffering in the wake of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Kyigudo (Chinese: Yushu), a Tibetan region that neighbors Golok. While our friends in Golok report no damage there, over 1400 people have died in Kyigudo. Many thousands more are injured, and there are reports of widespread devastation to buildings and property.
We are accepting donations to meet the enormous need within affected communities in the region. 100% of your donation will be directed to the relief effort. You can donate via Paypal on our website (please specify Earthquake Relief in the add special instructions to the seller section). Checks should be made out to The Sogan Foundation and sent to us at 1559 28th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122. Please note Earthquake Relief on the memo line.
Thank you.
New gallery: More photos from Tibet – Summer, 2007
02/21/10
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In July and August of 2007, several board members and supporters of The Sogan Foundation joined Sogan Rinpoche for a journey to Golok, Tibet to celebrate a newly-constructed and soon-to-open technical/scientific high school – our foundation's first humanitarian project. In this new photo gallery with captions, we share more images from that memorable time.
In July and August of 2007, several board members and supporters of The Sogan Foundation joined Sogan Rinpoche for a journey to Golok, Tibet to celebrate a newly-constructed and soon-to-open technical/scientific high school – our foundation's first humanitarian project. In this new photo gallery with captions, we share more images from that memorable time.
Sogan Rinpoche travels to Italy
01/02/10
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September, 2009 was a time of travel for TSF founder and board chairman, Sogan Rinpoche. This was his second trip to Savogna, Italy, where he gave teachings at Polava di Savogna, a Dharma Center located in this town in northeast Italy. He also had the opportunity to do some sightseeing in the beautiful surrounding region. At the conclusion of teachings, Rinpoche spoke about the humanitarian work of The Sogan Foundation and its new undertaking, the Bayan Water Project, now in the final stages of fundraising with construction projected to start in spring, 2010.
September, 2009 was a time of travel for TSF founder and board chairman, Sogan Rinpoche. This was his second trip to Savogna, Italy, where he gave teachings at Polava di Savogna, a Dharma Center located in this town in northeast Italy. He also had the opportunity to do some sightseeing in the beautiful surrounding region. At the conclusion of teachings, Rinpoche spoke about the humanitarian work of The Sogan Foundation and its new undertaking, the Bayan Water Project, now in the final stages of fundraising with construction projected to start in spring, 2010.