Celebration, Thanks and Action have been the main themes of our activities this fall. One reason for celebration was the 45th Anniversary of Democrats Abroad. To mark this occasion, members came together in Bursins, Vaud and Geneva to raise funds for our 2010 global voter registration campaign. We also learned about DA Switzerland’s rich history - going back to 1976 - through inspiring interviews given by all of our former Chairs. Watch what they had to say here.
Another reason for celebrating was the anniversary of President Barack Obama’s election last November. Election parties were held in Zurich and Geneva. The Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR) covered the event in Geneva, capturing the spirit of the Democrats in Switzerland. Watch the report here.
Representative Mike Honda of the 15th congressional district in California (and also DNC Vice Chair) was in Geneva on November 11th and he took time from his busy schedule to have breakfast with Democrats Abroad members. More than two dozen DACH members from every corner of Geneva’s American community engaged in a lively discussion with Representative Honda on a variety of issues including health care, taxation, and banking, and what these often mean for Americans living abroad.
A time for thanks
A year after the election, our spirits are high as we are grateful for the important changes that Barack Obama has already been able to bring to Washington, such as the prohibition of the use of torture, the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, increasing fuel economy standards, opening constructive dialogues with Muslims in speeches in Egypt and Turkey, and signing into law the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Time to give back . . . to those who protect us
DACH is proud to announce the “Wounded Warriors” Project. We are asking all our members and all Americans to help support our armed forces heroes who are recuperating at the U.S military hospital in Landstuhl Germany, by donating items to help them as they get better.
How can you help? Prepare a care package of needed items, (sweatshirts, DVDs, Swiss chocolate, etc.) download the flyer and pass it around to your friends, volunteer to help collect care packages in your place of work or neighborhood, write cards of encouragement to soldiers, make a cash donation so that we can purchase items they need – there are so many ways to help, no matter how much time or money you can spare. See the flyer in this newsletter or on our blog here. All collected items will be delivered to the troops on December 12th by members of the DACH leadership. They have sacrificed so much for us, so please help us let them know we are thinking about them this holiday season. Read more about Wounded Warriors Project.
Read full Newsletter: http://www.democratsabroad.org/sites/default/files/DACH_NOVEMBER_2009_NEWSLETTER.pdf
Happy Thanksgiving!
Maya Samara
Chair, Democrats Abroad Switzerland
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