Project Report
| Nov 21, 2018
11/9 Geneva UN Press Conf / HR Plaque Dedication
![Ribbon cutting ceremony with HR GM Laurent Roussin]()
Ribbon cutting ceremony with HR GM Laurent Roussin
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It’s that quarterly time of year again where I submit an updated GlobalGiving report on the progress I have made with this project within the last 3 months. I’m extremely pleased to inform all of you that our mission has been successful and sending this report in concert with the recent November 9th Kristallnacht 80th Anniversary in Geneva and in Evian & my personal favorite American holiday, Thanksgiving, is wonderful timing!
Surprisingly, my initial estimates back in December 2017 of the associated costs of manufacturing the historic bronze plaque & overall coordination of both this Summer’s July 11th “Evian Revisited” event and recently completed UN Press Conference, (followed immediately by the Evian Hotel Royal Plaque Dedication Ceremony), were, after post event(s) evaluation, very close to the actual #’s required to successfully complete it
Since being accepted into this GlobalGiving accelerator program, (over a roughly 10 month period), thanks to all of your graciousness and generosity, I have raised approximately $6300 towards my stated goal of $10,000. I was not going to let the $3700 shortfall derail the merits of those who embraced my dedicated vision and the ultimate success of this project so I covered the delta with my own personal funds. Having the opportunity to do this all over again I will not change a thing!
This entire Charitable fundraising process surprised me in many interesting ways as many individuals or globally based organizations I counted on as true longstanding friends and partners who had stated their intentions to help the cause went MIA, yet others, who I may have only recently met this past year, completely stepped up and surprised me with their generosity. Everyone knows who they are on either side of the spectrum ;)
Three outstanding organizations, led by the NH based Lantos Foundation, even contributed twice within the year and I could not be more thankful to them. Without their foundational generosity, and ALSO notably the management of the Hotel Royal in Evian, France, the likelihood of my writing you this positive successful report would not be possible.
So to EVERYONE else, truly any $ amount which has been given, no matter how small, has made a HUGE difference in the overall need to cover the expenses associated with seeing this project through. From the $36 donation which covered a monthly Sosua75 office electric bill to a $100 donation which paid for the printed programs/agenda in Evian, & so many other examples, NONE of your generosity and faith in my efforts will EVER be lost on me. The mosaic of giving which translated into truly “History Being Made” is a tribute to ALL of you and I hope you feel a part of it!
Now totaling over 6.5M worldwide, while some completely “out of touch” and insensitive world leaders illogically view immigrants and refugees as “invaders” or “threats” to civilized countries, just as 31 countries did in 1938 at the Evian Conference, then followed by “Kristallnacht” a mere 4 months later, leading to the terrible consequences of Hitler’s Final Solution and millions of innocent lives murdered, there is one unique factor which significantly differentiates what happened in Sosua/DR after the 1938 Evian Conference.
The subsequent successful Sosua settlement established in 1940 demonstrates the undeniable fact that Sosua is a role model of best practices where refugees seeking “safe haven” were not only “admitted” but “accepted”, then given a path to citizenship where they became active and productive members of society.
Particularly in light of the continuing unforeseen natural disasters and horrific incidents of escalating gun violence in the US, I do realize there are many worthy causes to contribute your hard earned year end tax deductible year donations towards. However, on this GivingTuesday please keep Sosua75 and our noble mission and objectives in mind to meet the 2017 stated goal of $10,000. We are very close and it would be a wonderful way to close out this successful project and 2018.
With my personal heartfelt thanks to ALL of you who have contributed to support and encourage me over the past year to make this project vision a reality, I wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgiving holidays!
Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out and contact me personally
Best,
Hugh Baver
![Ready to reveal the Historic Commemorative Plaque]()
Ready to reveal the Historic Commemorative Plaque
![Plaque Unveil in same room where 1938 Conference]()
Plaque Unveil in same room where 1938 Conference
![Plaque Unveiled before assembled group]()
Plaque Unveiled before assembled group
![UN Press Room where reporters Q's were answered]()
UN Press Room where reporters Q's were answered
![@UN w/SWC's Shimon Samuels & HR's Marc Figueiredo]()
@UN w/SWC's Shimon Samuels & HR's Marc Figueiredo
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