Dear {{First Name}},
After an 18-day chaotic airlift, on August 30, 2021, the United States officially completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the largest non-combat evacuation in U.S. military history. More than 123,000 civilians were evacuated.
Canopy and the nation were slowly recovering from the pandemic era, but our good neighbors walked with us to help resettle the Afghans who came to Northwest Arkansas five years ago, in the fall of 2021.
As I shared in our last newsletter, our community here in the region, and the nation more broadly, were gracious to host, house, employ, drive, translate, cook for, and welcome our Afghan friends in our midst. But the work of welcome is never a period. It's just a comma.
Our Long Welcome Program, which encompasses the full range of services we provide for our new neighbors, continues to be a lifeline for those who walk through our door. We've been able to do this because of you.
One week ago, we were at Angel’s* citizenship ceremony, the culmination of half a decade of determination. We watched her take the citizenship oath, then celebrated with cake and talked about her first chance to vote in this country. Our aim is to be here to walk alongside every person and family who came through our doors, to reach and celebrate these milestones of rebuilding.
We invite you to become a monthly donor to Canopy's work. Any amount you give helps ensure that the Long Welcome remains a viable resource for our new neighbors. In this 5th anniversary year of the fall of Kabul, we invite you to become a sustainer of welcome for our Long Welcome Program.
I also invite you to take a look at some of the volunteer opportunities available with Canopy below. Your continued support of Canopy’s mission through giving, mentoring, and volunteering makes a lasting impact.
Regards,
Khalid Ahmadzai
Senior Director of Partnerships
*name changed for privacy |
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