One of TNKR's underlying goals is to build a community of support around North Korean refugees. We do this by connecting them with volunteer tutors and coaches.
What happens when a community rallies around TNKR (now FSI)? That's what it felt like at the Hidden Cellar when TNKR fans Sandra Durinick and Amanda Sheffy hosted a fundraiser for us last night. They rounded up a team that included Samantha Murphy, Kim Noriko Durinick, Jamila Charles, Reza Carr, Jay Wiltz, Hannah Ruppert, Renee Dupuis, Tom Moran, Jamie Kembrey, 송인환, and Hyeona Hong. (Thanks to Kim Noriko Durinick for adding the names). Plus we had numerous entertainers perform during the night.
I should have said more about TNKR, but my entire speech was thanking everyone. TNKR volunteers, our new fans, everyone rallying around our humble project engaging and empowering North Korean refugees.
It was a special night in TNKR, one that we will never forget. In all, the team raised more than 1 million won. It was our special night, because we received an additional 340,000 won in a raffle--I pulled the number, thankfully it was being held by TNKR Academic Coordinator Janice Kim. She promptly donated it to TNKR.
Today we were back to the grind of running TNKR, holding two orientation sessions for incoming tutors and students. It was tough, doing this on a Sunday, after working at TNKR every day so far this year. But we were all walking on air after last night's wonderful fundraiser.
