Arizona
The Arizona Chapter was spearheaded by a 16-year old girl, daughter of a Jewish American mother and a Palestinian American father, and her dedicated International Baccalaureate teacher at Desert Mountain High School, a public institution in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The groups mission in its inaugural year of 2002 was to raise enough money for one scholarship to the International Camp in Maine. They successfully achieved this goal and expanded their efforts to involve adults in the area. After an adult advisory committee was formed, they invited two Seeds of Peace graduates to come present at local high schools, speak to media outlets and remarked at a major fundraising banquet, where almost 150 supporters attended.
The teens and adults are continuing their work in support of Seeds of Peace and are looking to grow and increase their support of Seeds of Peace programs.
Florida
Florida Friends of Seeds of Peace has made remarkable strides in Central Florida since it was founded, in 2002, by national board member Alan Ginsburg.
Through programming and publicity, members of diverse communities, formerly polarized, have come together to support the mission of Seeds of Peace and raise funds for the International Camp and programs in the regions.
The inaugural Hope Happens Gala, held in May 2003, honoring Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, raised $250,000; a remarkable accomplishment by a group of people that held it’s first meeting just eight months earlier.
Two thousand four was a trying year for all Floridians. After Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, concern about the end result rippled through the Gala committee; spirits were “dampened” but we kept our sights on a $300,000 goal.
On December 14, the Hope Happens 2004 Gala, featuring highlights of the documentary “Seeds” and remarks by its producer, and Indian, Israeli, Pakistani and Palestinian Seeds, was held. Thanks to the commitment and generosity of a determined group we had another record setting event and exceeded the objective.
Members of the Central Florida Chapter of Seeds of Peace, based in Orlando, believe our work has never been more important. Throughout the year we are sponsoring programs for our donors and the community "empowering leaders of the next generation."
For more information or to become involved, please contact Kim Fischer, Florida Friends of Seeds of Peace Development Liaison at centralflorida@seedsofpeace.org [1] or call 321-948-7925.
You can also check out the Central Florida webpage [1].
Click here to see the list of the Hope Happens 2004 Gala Sponsors. [1]
Los Angeles
A dedicated group of Los Angeles-based supporters is forging a west coast presence through special events that have brought together distinguished members of the media and entertainment industry, Israeli and Arab Seeds and Middle East officials.
In 2000, Senior Middle East peace negotiator Dennis Ross helped kick off their efforts as a guest speaker with Israeli and Arab Seeds for 100 invited guests. Momentum grew after a large reception hosted by members of the Los Angeles television and sports community that featured graduates of the program and a private screening of Peace of Mind, an award-winning documentary filmed by Palestinian and Israeli Seeds, at the home of a Hollywood producer. Media appearances in the Los Angeles Times [2] also showcased the program to a local audience.
Maine
In the camp’s home state of Maine, Maine Friends has become an invaluable asset. One of the most valuable contributions Maine Friends has made to Seeds of Peace is in the political realm. Over the years, the chapter has made a concerted effort to reach out to their state and federal government representatives and the camp has received numerous visits from Maine's Senators and Congressional representatives through the years.
Seizing an opportunity to enrich Maine’s youth, chapter members approached the Governor’s office about creating a “Maine Ambassadors” program. This fund now grants camp scholarships to up to four outstanding teenagers. As “Maine Ambassadors” they spend the year speaking to audiences across the state about tolerance and international relations.
High among this chapter’s priorities is raising funds for Maine Seeds [2] and crucial funds for the maintenance of the camp physical plant. Thanks to their support, new camp buildings, a computer facility and the ropes course have all been added to the campsite.
Michigan
The Seeds of Peace Michigan Friends Chapter was established in 1997 with significant interest and participation from both the Arab-American and Jewish-American communities. Since then, a growing number of people have become involved in the chapter helping to raise awareness and critical funds from the greater Detroit community by organizing speaking engagements, attracting press attention, hosting special events, and introducing Seeds of Peace to Michigan’s government representatives.
The Michigan Chapter also hosts an annual fundraising Gala. For three years now, the event has been key to garnering crucial support for our mission. Our previous honorees have included, Jacques Nasser, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, Nick Scheele, President and COO of Ford Motor Company, Robert A. Lutz, Vice-Chairman of Product Development, Chairman North-America of General Motors, Former Senator and Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, Senator Carl Levin, Congressman John Dingell, Congressman Joseph Knollenberg, H.E. Shimon Peres and Dr. Sari Nusseibeh.
The Chapter has also nominated students from Michigan to join the American host delegation to participate in the Middle East programs so that they can return to the community as local spokespeople.
Since its existence, the Michigan Chapter has proudly raised close to $1 Million Dollars to support our programming and mission.
Westchester/Fairfield
With more than a dozen Seeds of Peace graduates on educational scholarship at nearby Manhattanville College, Westchester friends has a unique opportunity to interact with Arab and Israeli Seeds on a regular basis. The group has made great strides in organizing community presentations, press coverage and fundraising events to expand the circle of support and has even helped spread the word across the country through extended networks of family and friends.