CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

CLASSMATES FOREVERs
2015 OVERVIEW NEWSLETTER

Building a Hope Exchange

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

A letter from the Co-Founders:

To Our Generous and Devoted Supporters,
In January 2015, Classmates Forever, Inc. was founded on the foundation that no individual
should be deprived of hope. Hope, or shpres in the Albanian language, is a term that holds
many different meanings and invokes a variety of emotions. Hope is much more than a dream or
desire. Hope is the mindset that anything desired in a dream is possible. Even more, it
encompasses the opportunities for an individual or a nation to turn dreams into reality. Today,
twenty-five percent of Albanians live at or below the absolute poverty line of 1.42 Euros per day.
Similarly, nearly half of Kosovos children between infancy and the age of nineteen live in
poverty. There is not much room for hope when families are struggling to survive. At
Classmates Forever, we recognize the economic and psychological benefits of investing in the
education of Balkan youth, and that is the driving force of our mission. Our organization aims to
provide students with the tools necessary for success. We aim to provide over 1,000 students
each summer with school supplies such as backpacks, textbooks, notebooks, writing utensils, and
calculators.
Within our first year as a 501(c)(3) organization, we have made several notable achievements
that we are proud to share with you today. In collaboration with Albanian Culture TV and an
outstanding team of cinematographers, we filmed and broadcasted our first public service
announcement, allowing our organization to connect with new supporters across the United
States. In 2016, we look forward to sharing with you a collection of interviews featuring the
success stories of well-known Albanians, including Giorgio Kolaj, Rina Lila, Avni Mustafaj,
Bledi Zaku and Elvir Muriqi. Our fundraisers, such as the Spring Shindig, Summer Bash and
Classgiving, were met with similar success, helping us raise thousands of dollars in funds. Most
recently, Classmates Forever has partnered with the Yonkers Public Schools district to launch a
penny drive titled Loose Change for the Hope Exchange. This program is designed to help the
American youth gain knowledge of a largely unrecognized region of the world, the Balkan
region, and gain personal experience in developing a better world for children who are stuck in a
cycle of poverty.
We have accomplished a lot this year, but there are still many more opportunities that lay ahead,
especially in 2016 as we complete our first delivery of supplies. We also recognize that none of
this would have been possible without you. We thank you for your unwavering support and
generosity over the course of the past year. In addition, we would like to thank our Board of
Directors, our volunteers, the Yonkers Public School district, and the participants in our public
service announcement for their dedication to help build and strengthen Classmates Forever each
and every day.
Fiscal 2015 was an exciting time and we look forward to 2016. We wish you all a happy,
healthy, and prosperous New Year.
With gratitude,

Zamane Bodini & Lendita Hoxha

Building a Hope Exchange

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

THANK YOU HONORARY MEMBERS!

Honorary status is granted to individuals who have made generous contributions to Classmates
Forever. We are truly grateful for your donations and welcome you as honorary members of
Classmates Forever.

Avdulla Hoxha
Giorgio Kolaj
Jack Sinanaj
Jeff Sinanaj
Kristina Dabovic
Margen Cuko
Mergim Ahmetovic
Migena Fejzaj
Mujadin Hoxha
Nazmija Brucaj
Noelle Tomulich
Russ Sinanaj
Sevdija Sylaj
Zaim Hajdari

Building a Hope Exchange

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

We would also like to give a special thank you to the individuals who have donated to our cause,
directly helping underprivileged children receive the essentials they need to pursue their
educational career.
Adelina Ahmetaj

Arta Maksuti

Drita Nikac

Adis Sehic

Avni Mustafaj

Dyego Costa

Agim Kotaj

Azem Papraniku

Edis Gafuri

Aisel Omerbashi

Bardha Behluli

Edita Hasangjekaj

Alban Biba

Benjamin Wong

Edita Hoxha

Albana Alili

Benjola Isak

Edlira Balla

Albrim Gjonbalaj

Beqir Sina

Egzon Thaqi

Albulena Rraci

Besart Stojkaj

Egzon Zuta

Alida Dema

Besmir Martinaj

Ejona Beshku

Almir Berisha

Bjorn Laku

Ela Tollja

Amla Sokolaj

Blarinm Demhasaj

Elina Mema

Anan Kahari

Bledi Zaku

Elona Shehu

Andi Necaj

Bojkena Selmanaj

Elsuida Brunga

Andrew Hensler

Brisilda Balla

Elton Davidhi

Angela Qirollari

Catherine Mcgahan

Elvir Muriqi

Anisa Puna

Christina Gjuraj

Emiranda Brunga

Anita Pepaj

Daniel Romero

Enxhi Popa

Antigona Balidemaj

Dardan Beselica

Ergin Ahmetaj

Arber Mustafa

Deena Rahman

Erin Karagjozi

Arblinda Bicaj

Delin Bixha

Erion Mrishaj

Arbresha Djonbalic

Diamond McClintock

Ermal Vila

Areta Gjicali

Dionis Ahmetaj

Ervin Kohima

Ariola Belliu

Donika Beselica

Ervin Llushi

Ariot Myrtaj

Donika Zherka

Ervin Toro

Armando Fejzaj

Donika Zog

Eugene Cocka

Armando Seitllari

Dorentina Vucetaj

Faruk Muriqi

Arta Demiraj

Dorian Nasho

Fatima Zahra

Building a Hope Exchange

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

Fation Spaho

Kristina Camaj

Robert Tapper

Fatmire Berisha

Kushtrim Bicaj

Rondel Conway

Faton Alickaj

Laku Bjorn

Ronny Hoxha

Flaka Sejdaj

Lili Jorgaqi

Sahar Cohen

Fllanza Bacaj

Liriana Gjonbalaj

Sandri Lamo

Geris Duma

Liridona Prelvukaj

Sanela Merulic

Gerta Isufi

Luis Puna

Saranda Mustafaj

Granit Limani

Luti Dalipi

Sedi Mustafaj

Gresa Kamberaj

Majlinda Bacaj

Sejdin Lika

Hana Shehu

Margarite Camaj

Sejdo Radoncic

Hasan Belliu

Marku Visar

Hazel Pasquel

Marni Passer

Ilda Koka

Mary Grigsby

Ilir Disha

Megi Dani

Ilire Vucetaj

Merita Hoxha

Ilirijana Shehu

Michelle Zadrima

Imer Mehaj

Mimoza Meholli

Irena Bodini

Mirgimtare Sela

Iva Popa

Nertil Lushka

Jack Neal

Nicole Cullin

Jerina Coku

Nikolaos Koveos

Valon Rama

Jetlira Kalbaj

Nila Fetiu

Valon Sadiku

Jeton Sylaj

Nita Kukaj

Valon Sylaj

Jimmy Sugaste

Nora Gashi

Valon Thaqi

John Nreca

Nora Zherka

Vanessa Aguilar

Jolinda Seitllari

Pirro Cece

Visar Jasiqi

Jutbina Kalbaj

Raquel Arrange

Yllka Behluli

Kalimantan Gjicali

Ravesa Bajo

Yllza Netin

Kaltrina Beqiri

Regina Dervishaj

Yllzim Neziri

Kreshnik Hasko

Rezarta Ziu

Zana Kaba

Shkelzen Zherka
Shqipe Malushi
Shqipe Vucetaj
Sonoma Beselica
Suela Duka
Tara Ruiz
Teresa Djolevic
Teuta Haxhiu
Ttalat Pustina
Valentin Dhima
Valerie Valentin

In this season of giving, we welcome donations on our website at www.classmatesforever.org.

All donations are tax deductible, as we are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Building
a Hope
Exchange
Internal
Revenue
Code.

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

PICTURE FROM SCHOOLS WE WILL BE HELPING IN 2016:

Building a Hope Exchange

CLASSMATES FOREVER, INC.

SHOK KLASE PRGJITHMON

A LIST OF KEY PROJECT PERSONNEL:

Lendita Hoxha
Co-Founder
Director of Operations

Zamane Bodini
Co-Founder
Director of Finance

Ardiana Maloku
Director of Public Relations

Leonora Gashi
Director of Marketing

Kreshnik Jonuzi
Editor & Producer

Luftar Rama
Editor & Producer

Besjana Hoxha
Event Planning Coordinator

Vera Belliu
Marketing Coordinator

Building a Hope Exchange