We Can Make a Difference


April 11, 2008

This coming Sunday the Secretary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Foundation in Norwalk, Connecticut will present Norwalk's mayor with more than 150 The Sikhs brochures at the Gurdwara's annual Vaisakhi program.

102 Sikhs have donated to this campaign

33 are monthly recurring donors

Can we reach 250 one-time donors and 50 recurring donors this Vaisakhi?

In Wisconsin, 18 libraries now contain 10 books on Sikhs because Dalip Singh donated them through the Sikh Coalition's Library Project.

Last month in Schenectady, New York, over 100 police officers received training on Sikhs and Sikh concerns through training conducted by Kawal Singh, a Sikh Coalition volunteer.

Yes. Each Sikh can make a difference.  Yes.  Education on Sikhs can help end bias.  But honestly this is only a drop in bucket.  We have so much more to do. 

This Vaisakhi, can you play your part to help us hire a full-time Education Director?

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2563.

Here's what our volunteer-driven Education work produced in 2007:

  • 4,893 of the Sikh Coalitions' The Sikhs brochures were distributed in 6 different languages

Yes, we can make a difference with volunteers, but imagine how much more we could do if we had permanent, full-time staff to ensure the world knows that Sikh values are beautiful?

If don't start to educate now, the hate will continue.  Just yesterday a blog referred to the Sikh Coalition and our work as:

"fcuking cockroaches"  and "the Sikh Coalition (Religious, Muslims)"
Notes from the Underground blog, April 9, 2008

We must recognize that reversing decades of negative associations with Sikhs and the Sikh articles of faith requires full-time help.  Help us hire an Education Director now:

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2563.

We will not reach the heart of every bigot, but we can stop bigotry from seeping into the mainstream.  We can let everyone know that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred defending religious freedom for all, that Guru Amar Das zealously promoted equality of the sexes, and that Guru Nanak decried and fought the caste system.

Our volunteer effort has produced results, but there is a lot more to do.  Help us hire an Education Director this Vaisakhi:

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2563.

 

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
The Sikh Coalition Board and Staff

The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for governments, organizations and individuals.

The Sikh Coalition relies on your financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your support.