Letter From Your PTA President

Dear Franklin Friends and Families -  

Following the devastation of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, our Franklin community, however small it may be, has come together to find ways to provide assistance.  Many of our community members have friends and family affected in these regions, have lost loved ones or are still in hope that they may be recovered.  As a community, with the help of Dila Heiden (mother of Ata in the 2nd Grade), we have been collecting items for donation and will send our cleaned, unclaimed lost and found items next week.  

Additionally, many folks have asked if there is a way to send financial assistance.   While we as a school and PTA are not able to donate anything specifically, we did want to share with you a few organizations that have been recommended to us:

• Bridge to Turkey Fund Melissa Bonnel, an Occupational Therapist here at Franklin. did some research, and through some personal contacts working for the U.S government, was referred to Bridge To Turkey Fund. They are a group of Turkish American volunteers, and all the funds collected are disbursed to AHBAP, a trusted grassroots organization in Turkey. 

• Turkish Philanthropy Funds Dila Heiden shared with us the Turkish Philanthropy Funds, all contributions go to TPF-vetted NGOs at Afet Platforms, directly involved in all the affected cities to help victims recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and rebuilding efforts.

• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent The Turkish Red Crescent aims to support around 300,000 people in 10 cities who have been severely affected, mainly due to the demolition of their houses.

Whether you know someone affected by this devastation or not, the world is coming together to help those affected by this tragedy.  Our small but mighty community, once again, amazes me with its greatness in how it wants to come forward and help make a difference.

Thank you,

Ann