CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

CLASSMATES FOREVER’s

2015 OVERVIEW NEWSLETTER

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

A letter from the Co-Founders:

To Our Generous and Devoted Supporters,

In January 2015, Classmates Forever, Inc. was founded on the foundation that no individual should be deprived of hope. Hope, or “shpresë” in the Albanian language, is a term that holds many different meanings and invokes a variety of emotions. Hope is much more than a dream or desire. Hope is the mindset that anything desired in a dream is possible. Even more, it encompasses the opportunities for an individual or a nation to turn dreams into reality. Today, twenty-five percent of Albanians live at or below the absolute poverty line of 1.42 Euros per day. Similarly, nearly half of Kosovo’s children between infancy and the age of nineteen live in poverty. There is not much room for hope when families are struggling to survive. At Classmates Forever, we recognize the economic and psychological benefits of investing in the education of Balkan youth, and that is the driving force of our mission. Our organization aims to provide students with the tools necessary for success. We aim to provide over 1,000 students each summer with school supplies such as backpacks, textbooks, notebooks, writing utensils, and calculators.

Within our first year as a 501(c)(3) organization, we have made several notable achievements that we are proud to share with you today. In collaboration with Albanian Culture TV and an outstanding team of cinematographers, we filmed and broadcasted our first public service announcement, allowing our organization to connect with new supporters across the United States. In 2016, we look forward to sharing with you a collection of interviews featuring the success stories of well-known Albanians, including Giorgio Kolaj, Rina Lila, Avni Mustafaj, Bledi Zaku and Elvir Muriqi. Our fundraisers, such as the Spring Shindig, Summer Bash and Classgiving, were met with similar success, helping us raise thousands of dollars in funds. Most recently, Classmates Forever has partnered with the Yonkers Public Schools district to launch a penny drive titled “Loose Change for the Hope Exchange.” This program is designed to help the American youth gain knowledge of a largely unrecognized region of the world, the Balkan region, and gain personal experience in developing a better world for children who are stuck in a cycle of poverty.

We have accomplished a lot this year, but there are still many more opportunities that lay ahead, especially in 2016 as we complete our first delivery of supplies. We also recognize that none of this would have been possible without you. We thank you for your unwavering support and generosity over the course of the past year. In addition, we would like to thank our Board of Directors, our volunteers, the Yonkers Public School district, and the participants in our public service announcement for their dedication to help build and strengthen Classmates Forever each and every day.

Fiscal 2015 was an exciting time and we look forward to 2016. We wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

With gratitude,

Zamane Bodini & Lendita Hoxha

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

THANK YOU HONORARY MEMBERS!

Honorary status is granted to individuals who have made generous contributions to Classmates

Forever. We are truly grateful for your donations and welcome you as honorary members of

Classmates Forever.

Avdulla Hoxha

Giorgio Kolaj

Jack Sinanaj

Jeff Sinanaj

Kristina Dabovic

Margen Cuko

Mergim Ahmetovic

Migena Fejzaj

Mujadin Hoxha

Nazmija Brucaj

Noelle Tomulich

Russ Sinanaj

Sevdija Sylaj

Zaim Hajdari

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

We would also like to give a special thank you to the individuals who have donated to our cause,

directly helping underprivileged children receive the essentials they need to pursue their

educational career.

Adelina Ahmetaj

Adis Sehic

Agim Kotaj

Aisel Omerbashi

Alban Biba

Albana Alili

Albrim Gjonbalaj

Albulena Rraci

Alida Dema

Almir Berisha

Amla Sokolaj

Anan Kahari

Andi Necaj

Andrew Hensler

Angela Qirollari

Anisa Puna

Anita Pepaj

Antigona Balidemaj

Arber Mustafa

Arblinda Bicaj

Arbresha Djonbalic

Areta Gjicali

Ariola Belliu

Ariot Myrtaj

Armando Fejzaj

Armando Seitllari

Arta Demiraj

Arta Maksuti

Avni Mustafaj

Azem Papraniku

Bardha Behluli

Benjamin Wong

Benjola Isak

Beqir Sina

Besart Stojkaj

Besmir Martinaj

Bjorn Laku

Blarinm Demhasaj

Bledi Zaku

Bojkena Selmanaj

Brisilda Balla

Catherine Mcgahan

Christina Gjuraj

Daniel Romero

Dardan Beselica

Deena Rahman

Delin Bixha

Diamond McClintock

Dionis Ahmetaj

Donika Beselica

Donika Zherka

Donika Zog

Dorentina Vucetaj

Dorian Nasho

Drita Nikac

Dyego Costa

Edis Gafuri

Edita Hasangjekaj

Edita Hoxha

Edlira Balla

Egzon Thaqi

Egzon Zuta

Ejona Beshku

Ela Tollja

Elina Mema

Elona Shehu

Elsuida Brunga

Elton Davidhi

Elvir Muriqi

Emiranda Brunga

Enxhi Popa

Ergin Ahmetaj

Erin Karagjozi

Erion Mrishaj

Ermal Vila

Ervin Kohima

Ervin Llushi

Ervin Toro

Eugene Cocka

Faruk Muriqi

Fatima Zahra

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

Fation Spaho

Fatmire Berisha

Faton Alickaj

Flaka Sejdaj

Fllanza Bacaj

Geris Duma

Gerta Isufi

Granit Limani

Gresa Kamberaj

Hana Shehu

Hasan Belliu

Hazel Pasquel

Ilda Koka

Ilir Disha

Ilire Vucetaj

Ilirijana Shehu

Imer Mehaj

Irena Bodini

Iva Popa

Jack Neal

Jerina Coku

Jetlira Kalbaj

Jeton Sylaj

Jimmy Sugaste

John Nreca

Jolinda Seitllari

Jutbina Kalbaj

Kalimantan Gjicali

Kaltrina Beqiri

Kreshnik Hasko

Kristina Camaj

Kushtrim Bicaj

Laku Bjorn

Lili Jorgaqi

Liriana Gjonbalaj

Liridona Prelvukaj

Luis Puna

Luti Dalipi

Majlinda Bacaj

Margarite Camaj

Marku Visar

Marni Passer

Mary Grigsby

Megi Dani

Merita Hoxha

Michelle Zadrima

Mimoza Meholli

Mirgimtare Sela

Nertil Lushka

Nicole Cullin

Nikolaos Koveos

Nila Fetiu

Nita Kukaj

Nora Gashi

Nora Zherka

Pirro Cece

Raquel Arrange

Ravesa Bajo

Regina Dervishaj

Rezarta Ziu

Robert Tapper

Rondel Conway

Ronny Hoxha

Sahar Cohen

Sandri Lamo

Sanela Merulic

Saranda Mustafaj

Sedi Mustafaj

Sejdin Lika

Sejdo Radoncic

Shkelzen Zherka

Shqipe Malushi

Shqipe Vucetaj

Sonoma Beselica

Suela Duka

Tara Ruiz

Teresa Djolevic

Teuta Haxhiu

Ttalat Pustina

Valentin Dhima

Valerie Valentin

Valon Rama

Valon Sadiku

Valon Sylaj

Valon Thaqi

Vanessa Aguilar

Visar Jasiqi

Yllka Behluli

Yllza Netin

Yllzim Neziri

Zana Kaba

In this season of giving, we welcome donations on our website at www.classmatesforever.org.

All donations are tax deductible, as we are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Code.

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

PICTURE FROM SCHOOLS WE WILL BE HELPING IN 2016:

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC. SHOKË KLASE PËRGJITHMONË

“Building a Hope Exchange”

A LIST OF KEY PROJECT PERSONNEL:

Lendita Hoxha

Co-Founder

Director of Operations

Ardiana Maloku

Director of Public Relations

Kreshnik Jonuzi

Editor & Producer

Besjana Hoxha

Event Planning Coordinator

Zamane Bodini

Co-Founder

Director of Finance

Leonora Gashi

Director of Marketing

Luftar Rama

Editor & Producer

Vera Belliu

Marketing Coordinator