March 2003

Dear Friend,

As we embrace springtime and the Norouz holiday season, the Persian Center family would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support! Our growing network of friends and supporters enabled us to accomplish the following this past year:

• Successfully expanded the “eScrip” program to over 100 families. We greatly urge you to sign up on-line or complete the enclosed form and support Persian Center’s operating fund at no cost to you;
• Sold over $5,000 in calling cards through Aria TeleCommunication Services, 20% of which was donated to Persian Center;
• Collaborated with the Wheelchair foundation to raise money and send 1200 wheelchairs to Iran. The shipment of wheelchairs has already been made, and a group of 20 Iranians and Americans will be distributing them in Iran during the month of April 2003; (Click for Pics) (Click for Article)
• Donated remaining $450 of contributions from the “Cover Up” project to the Child Foundation;
• Hosted a successful Yalda celebration on December 19, 2002, at the Persian Center, with over 100 people in attendance;
• Received over two dozen proclamations recognizing March 20, 2002 as Persian Heritage Day, including ones from the Governor and Lt. Governor of California, and have requested proclamations recognizing Persian Heritage Day on March 20, 2003;
• Hosted a successful Norouz event on March 20, 2002 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco with over 500 people in attendance;(Click for Pics)
• Completed the “Hall of Reflections” (Baz Tab-e Yadha) project that is a visual archive of immigration stores of Iranian-Americans. The art pieces are scheduled to go up at the Center in May of 2003.
• Promoted efforts to stop INS detentions of Iranian in the U.S.;
• Supported the effort to prevent the name change of the “Persian Drive” in Sunnyvale;
• Held and hosted countless activities at Persian Center including Persian classes, Persian literature and poetry classes, calligraphy classes, music classes (santur, daaf, piano, and voice), art classes, movie nights;
• Received numerous donations from private contributors including books, furniture, and carpets;

In the coming year, Persian Center hopes to build on these accomplishments, on our strong community partnership, and our commitment to promoting the Persian culture. Not only do we plan to enhance our programs, but also to build the organizational structure while continuing our fundraising efforts: we wish to raise an additional $500,000 to pay off the remaining loan of $370,000 for the Persian Center building, and be able to complete our renovation project. We need your continued help in offering additional quality programs and support to raise the remaining balance! All donations to Persian Center are tax deductible pursuant to U.S. law. Please remit a check in the enclosed envelope or make a donation using your credit card on our web site. Thank you.

The New Year ushers in a time to reflect on the past year, look towards the upcoming year, and most importantly to celebrate; we also delivered the following NoRouz related events this year and invite you to join us at these two unforgettable events next year as well!

• "Chaharshanbeh Souri" block party, on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 7:00 pm at the 2000 block of Durant Avenue, in front of Persian Center in Berkeley. We jumped over fire and celebrated with music and dancing. (Click for Pics) (Click for report)
• In its annual tradition, Persian Center hosted "NOROUZ CELEBRATION 2003" on Thursday, March 20, 2003, 7:30 pm at The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. (Click for Pics) (Click for Report)

Wishing you the seven angelic heralds of life--rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and beauty--in the New Year.

Sincerely,