Each year, hundreds of Friends and other members of our dedicated community show up to support AFSC’s work for peace and justice. They are part of our governance committees, Corporation, and Board of Directors. Many of these volunteers are also active fundraisers for AFSC. They’re finding creative ways to mobilize their meetings, friends, and networks in support of our mission.
Today, this grassroots support is more critical than ever. “At a time of great threats to peace in the world as well as cutbacks in traditional funding sources, it's especially important to support the brave work of the AFSC in furtherance of justice and equity,” says Stephanie Kanwit, a member of AFSC’s Moment of Truth campaign committee.
These volunteer fundraisers are not only raising money. They are expanding AFSC’s reach and deepening our community roots. Here are some ways that committed volunteers are building support for AFSC:
Gwynedd Friends Meeting, Pennsylvania
For almost 60 years, the Gwynedd Friends Meeting has hosted a flea market sale with proceeds benefiting AFSC. Former AFSC staff member Beth Binford originated the idea for the sale. What started as a simple swap table in the 1960s has since generated nearly $500,000 for AFSC. Today, the sales are made possible by dedicated volunteers. The flea market is also hosted at area Quaker retirement centers like Kendal at Longwood and Crosslands.
Bob Sanders, New Hampshire
Bob decided to cycle 4,000 miles across the United States to raise awareness about Israel’s ongoing violence in Gaza. Working with Not In Our Name NH, Bob’s journey included collecting signatures for a petition and donations from communities on his route. In Milwaukee, AFSC Friends Liaison Mary Lord and the Milwaukee Friends Meeting hosted a benefit concert to coincide with his visit.
Will Rogers, North Carolina
As a new Corporation member, Will created a Facebook Fundraiser to mobilize his networks, inspiring friends and family to donate to AFSC’s work. Each year, dozens of volunteers use social media to take advantage of this easy-to-use tool.
Stephanie Kanwit, Virginia
Stephanie has found innovative ways to connect her personal network with AFSC’s efforts. She recently organized a Zoom gathering where friends could hear directly from AFSC’s three directors on migration, healing justice, and economic justice. The event included breakout groups with in-depth discussions and concluded with participants sharing ways to get involved with AFSC’s ongoing campaigns.
Portland Friends Meeting, Maine
A few years ago, Portland Friends Meeting undertook a discernment process over how to use resources that had built up over time. Those resources included substantial gifts from members’ estates. As a result, the meeting established a Shared Witness Fund for “work in the world.” Last year, as the suffering in Gaza grew, one member made a Spirit-led call for the meeting to contribute $75,000 from the fund to support AFSC’s humanitarian relief efforts. The meeting approved.
–AFSC CORPORATION MEMBER SHANNON ISAACS“EVERYTHING WE DO THAT MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE WE DO IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS. EACH ACTION MOVING THE WORLD TOWARD GOOD HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT.”
These are just a few of the ways that volunteers are building support for AFSC’s work for peace with justice. Thanks to everyone who has organized events, started fundraisers, and found other ways to connect their communities with our mission!
To learn more, contact us at DonorLiaisons@afsc.org.
