Happy St. Patricks Day
March 31, 2024
Happy St. Patricks Day
| March is an incredibly joyous and sacred month this year, filled with religious celebrations from various faiths around the world. The word “HAPPY” truly encapsulates the spirit of this month. |
 R Star kicks off the month with St. Patrick’s Day, a beloved holiday during Lent that honors the Irishman St. Patrick. Then, we look forward to Easter, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of Christianity, complete with bunnies and eggs 2 weeks later. |
| Let’s remember to join our Buddhist friends in celebrating the recent lunar New Year of the Dragon, or to wish our Muslim friends a Happy Ramadan as they embark on a month of spiritual reflection and fasting. Hindus will be celebrating Holi, a vibrant festival of spring colors, while our Jewish friends will soon observe Purim, leading up to Passover in April. |
| Donor SpotlightAt R Star, we are feeling incredibly LUCKY and blessed. A generous donor, Mr. M., has gifted us an ‘endowment’ fund in the form of high-end stocks valued at $25,000. The stocks will provide us yearly dividends of $1500 – $3200, allowing us to continue our impactful projects and make a difference in the world. Thank you, Mr. M., for your incredible generosity! Mr. M suggested other donors consider doing the same in whatever increment they can do. He is pleased for his tax-write off by his gift. |
| In Memoriam – Marilynn G. |
 As we celebrate our successes, we remember the remarkable volunteers who have touched our hearts. We fondly recall our 90-year-old volunteer, Marilynn G who sewed reusable pads for the Women’s Project during COVID, creating nearly 1000 units that were distributed in Kavre, Nepal. She passed at 94 this January, her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and in R Star’s heart. “Excerpt from StuNews, 7. 2020. Marilynn G is doing the sewing. Marilynn is 90 years old, has restricted vision and yet she said “yes” to helping furnish the comfortable pads to R Star’s rural women. A note on Marilynn – she purchased over 700 American flags and had children post them all about her neighborhood for the Fourth of July! This is an involved woman who has let nothing stop her. Beyond the pad sewing – in order to replace the newspaper that is commonly used in Guatemala to wrap newborns at birth – she also has been making baby blankets.” Age and time seem to have little bearing on those who are in service within their cities and our world to help others they will never meet.Thank you Marilynn – you are missed. |
| Volunteer SpotlightWe are also thrilled to welcome Emi, a talented, enthusiastic freshman from SOKA University, who is managing our Social Media. Her efforts are already making a visible impact, keeping us connected and engaged while expanding our community. Good marketing is Emi’s aim. Check out her hard work by clicking below and give us a follow. |
 |
| We have more news about goats and a hopeful village boy passing the entrance exams at 95% to enter SOKA U on a full scholarship. The testing is grueling! R Star will offer him a stipend each month to enhance life while on campus far away from home. Together, we continue to uplift and inspire, making a positive impact on the world. Thank you to all who support our mission and join us. We await your direct questions anytime.Blessings, Rosalind Russell, CEO, & Board |