We’re nearly halfway through 2025 and the Board is preparing for our mid-year meeting. A sage from my era (Bob Dylan) told us “The Times They Are A-Changin” and that certainly rings true this year. For the last several years we have set our donation goal on a modest projection based on contribution history and trends. Every year, through your generosity and support of our mission, we have exceeded our goals. In the
January Newsletter we communicated our goal for 2025 was $350,000. In the first half of this year, we were able to support: $34,000 in orphanage infrastructure improvements, $54,000 in Basic Needs, $19,000 for Education and $3,000 in operational costs for FVSO. All of this totaling $109,000. We projected $123,000 in
donations January through May and have received $90,000. Through your donations in 2024, we had a solid carry over to 2025, so fiscal management for the balance of the year should keep us in a healthy state overall.

From our experience through the years and in conversations with other charities, we are seeing the economic uncertainties taking a toll on donations and we are accounting for that in our short term planning. As always, we appreciate your generosity to the FVSO mission as every dollar has such a huge impact on the lives of the children. In addition to your donations, please help by spreading the word to your friends, neighbors, family and colleagues. Share our newsletter and the stories of our work whenever you can. Our focus is on a small segment of needs. We can name each child we have helped over the last 25 years and have improved thousands of lives. There will be kids in the future who will benefit greatly from FVSO and capital projects needed. We can continue to help them in the future as our donor base continues to grow. We appreciate your support in that effort by spreading the word.

- Patrick Leary, President FVSO