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[ 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | HOME ] January 2004   The group joined the Non-Profit Support Center with the intention of using their database of Foundations giving grants. January 16, 2004   We held our first "social" meeting at Abdi's Restaurant on Anapamu St. We met old and new supporters and indulged in eating delicious Mediterranean food. (Abdi's is located at 30 W. Anapamu St. Call 568-1420 for hours.) January 30, 2004   Briana attended an EDC (Environmental Defense Center) event at the S.B. Maritime Museum, connecting with Congressmember Lois Capps, Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson, Mayor Marty Blum, and City Council Members Helene Schneider and Das Williams. February, March 2004   The group no longer held meetings at the West Side Community Center. February 7, 2004   Briana and Board Treasurer Ana Zaferris attended a screening of "The Boy Who Played on the Buddhas of Bamiyan", part of the S.B. International Film Festival. February 10, 2004   Briana and Ana attended a class at the Non-profit Support Center to learn how to use their database. February 16, 2004   There was a Board of Directors meeting, where members reported on what they had been doing, and a financial report was submitted. February 21, 2004   Briana and Ana attended an event at NU Restaurant for the Fund for Santa Barbara, meeting members of the national funding group. March 4, 2004   Briana and group member Patty Desmond attended the premiere of the Disney movie "Hidalgo" at the Arlington Theatre, a benefit for CIA (Central Asia Institute) and Orca school, which planned to build a sister school in Afghanistan. April 3 to 6, 2004   Sahar Saba, Foreign Affairs Representative for RAWA came to town, and met with our core group and local media. She spoke at the downtown library on Monday April 5, to a small but receptive and appreciative audience. Gary Atkins once again provided the sound system. We gave Sahar some free time this trip and she got to do a little sightseeing, along with a potluck dinner and a Passover Seder at Board President Jill Littlewood's home. April 2004   Briana got in touch with Congressmember Lois Capps regarding sponsoring a bill in the House similar to one introduced in the Senate by Barbara Boxer. Bill S 2032, the Afghan Women Security & Freedom Act of 2004, was read twice, and sent to the Committee on Foreign Relations. May 2, 2004   Soroptimist International of Santa Barbara   Awards Luncheon, UCSB Faculty Club   Briana received three awards for RAWA: An engraved plaque from Soroptimist International of Santa Barbara for Advancing the Status of Women, A Certificate of Recognition from the California Legislature Assembly, for Outstanding Contribution to Education for Advancing the Status of Women, signed by Hannah-Beth Jackson, our state Assemblymember. A Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives for outstanding and invaluable service to the community, signed and presented by Lois Capps, our U.S. Congresswoman. Ana Zaferris, Board Treasurer, accompanied Briana to this event, and both agreed that it was a lovely and impressive event. We really appreciated the recognition, after 4 years of hard work! The original plaque and awards folders were sent to RAWA. May 7, 2004   Briana attended an EDC event (Environmental Defense Center), and connected with Congressmember Lois Capps, Mayor Marty Blum, City Councilmember Helene Schneider and Geoff Green, Fund for Santa Barbara Director. May 10, 2004   Renee showed her film at the Lompoc Library.   RAWA Supporters S.B. donated "Sadaa E Zan" videos to activists around the country, and donated videos and four books about RAWA to local politicians and libraries. May 20, 2004   Renee showed parts of her film to a class at S.B. Jr. High, taught by Marisa Parker. July 2004   RAWA Supporters S.B. took on a project to raise $53,000.00 to build and staff a new orphanage in Farah, Afghanistan, a remote area that has no other aid groups working. [ ABOUT FARAH ]   Briana and Fundraising Director Gretchen Collins began to pursue grantwriting.   Rawa published a new booklet, "The Voice of the Voiceless", full of photos of RAWA projects in Afghanistan and support groups around the world. August 2004   The Board of Directors was dissolved and an Advisory Board formed. (See Key Members page)   The group produced a new brochure. August 14-15, 2004   The group had a large booth at the Multi-cultural Festival at Oak Park. September 2004   The group initiated fund raising programs with Albertsons, Ralph's and Scolari's grocery stores. The stores will donate a percentage of your purchases to RAWA! Please click here for details. October 2004   The group is still raising funds for the Farah Orphanage project. A mailing went out late October generating a significant response. More to come! October 10, 2004   Briana and Volunteer Gretchen Collins and her husband, David, attended the annual Fund for Santa Barbara "Bread & Roses" event at the S.B. Women's Club. November 2004   Briana and Annette attended Hannah-Beth Jackson's sendoff party. See her new project at Speakout California December 4, 2004   RAWA Supporters S.B. held a successful 5th annual Holiday Bazaar of Afghan Handicrafts. We were blessed with sunny weather and a good turnout. Besides selling RAWA handicrafts and jewelry, we had goods from 3 other local merchants - carpets, different jewelry, and shawls from India. This year we started a "Flea market" table with donated ethnic items, sold baked goods, gave out free coffee and had musicians playing middle-eastern music. An art show was held in conjunction. [ 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | HOME ]