The Danube Swabian Foundation of the U.S.A., Inc.
Die Donauschwaebische Stiftung der USA, Inc.
The year 2021 has been very much like the year 2020. We again reflect on our past and our heritage which we so dearly treasure.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
We hope to see you all next year!
DANUBE SWABIAN FOUNDATION, USA
Robert Filippi, Chairman Ed Tullius, President Monika Lorenz, Vice-President Joseph Brandecker, Treasurer Rosalia Burmeister, Secretary Rudi Mayer – Chief Auditor
Landesverband der Donauschwaben USA, Inc
October 17, 2021
Liewi Landsleit!
The COVID Challenge
As we approach another yearend, I ask you all to join me in donating $100 to the Donauschwaben Foundation! Let’s call it our COVID Challenge contribution. Most of us have received additional funds from our national treasury in 2020 and 2021. Surely, both your clubs and the national foundation can use the funds to survive this “pandemic.” Since the inception of the Donauschwaben Foundation many hundreds of thousands of dollars have been paid out to our cultural groups in cities across this country. The good that has been done by that funding became readily apparent to a Donauschwab doctor and his wife in Canada. Our efforts were rewarded by their generous donation several years ago to both us and to the Canadian Verband. Let’s keep their trust and build on the momentum started by their gift.
Let me state unequivocally, if we want our clubs and our culture to survive beyond the anniversaries that have been celebrated – St. Louis 75 years, Milwaukee 75 years, UGH Philadelphia 110 years, Detroit 100 years, and so on – we must support our youth activities not only with our dedication, but also with our pocketbooks. So join me in the Challenge and email ([email protected]) me when you’ve mailed your contribution to the foundation. You won’t hurt my feelings if you donate more or less!
Thank you – Danke Schön. In Donauschwaben Unity,
Robert F. Filippi – Landespräsident
Die Donauschwaebische Stiftung der USA, Inc.
Commitment
It is being dedicated to a cause, agreement to do something. This simple definition of the word “commitment” carries much weight, value, meaning and promise. A successful life depends on making major commitments: to a spouse and family, a faith or philosophy, a community, a vocation, a vision of your future and honoring your past. But how do we choose what we will commit to, and how do we execute those commitments? We are taught early on by parents, teachers, coaches and ministers to adhere to a cause, an attitude or beliefs. We are taught that being committed truly means take the plunge rather than making a half-hearted effort. We must accept responsibility. We must honor our word. We put complete trust, faith and focus on long-term goals rather than seeking immediate gain. We join in and think as one. We are taught to build together, grow together, and win together. Give first. Give with an open hand and the odds are high that your deed will be reciprocated. The Danube Swabian Foundation functions deeply within this definition of commitment. Our original Founders and current Directors, members of each Schwaben Club throughout the U.S. set a goal to reach one million dollars in the course of the Foundation’s existence. I am proud to announce that goal has been met. Individuals (Schwobs) took trust and faith in the Foundation and it’s cause to give generously for this goal to be reached. The Foundation has dedicated itself to continuing to foster the Donauschwaben culture and values. Historical books have been translated and written with the support of the Foundation. A major DVD collection that depicts the hardship, life’s stories through oral history of our own people as they were forced from the Heimat was supported financially by the Foundation. Today’s youth, their sport, music, school, travel and dance are significantly supported by the Foundation. What can possibly be better to be committed to? During this holiday season and throughout the year, please take time to assess what you are committed to. Take a time to teach our younger Schwobs in your life what is important, worth making a commitment toward. Trust, faith, focus, all in, honor and giving without expectation is the Schwaben way. What better values to live by? The Foundation is committed (long term) to foster our youth to continue the Donauschwaben culture. One million may seem like it could go a long way in support and I am here to say the cost of supporting our youth is priceless. Please give to the Foundation and through the commitment of the Directors and myself, we agree to carry Donauschwaben traditions into the future for our youth’s children. Es ist eine Ehre, ihnen zu dienen. Im Namen des Vorstands Ihrer Donauschwäbischen Stiftung wünschen wir Ihnen und Ihrer Familien Frohe Weihnachten und ein Glükliches Neues Jahr.
Eddie Tullius – Stiftungsprasident USA
The Oma Abt Award
The Oma Abt Youth Heritage Award was created in 2013 in memory of my oma, Maria Abt. Maria was a long time member of the Landesverband. She served as the Landesverband Frauenleiteren, the leader of the Milwaukee Jugendgruppe, and also as the leader of the Milwaukee Frauengruppe. My oma loved seeing the youth get together and share in the customs and traditions of the Donauschwaben people. She died in 2012 after a battle with cancer. Given her love for the Donauschwaben, I wanted to do something to honor her memory and thus the Oma Abt Youth Heritage Award was created.
Each year the youth groups are given a prompt that asks for an essay or a creative arts display. Some examples of these prompts are “How did you/are you applying the lessons from the experiences of the Donauschwaben to the COVID-19 pandemic?”, “Interview someone who remembers living in the Heitmatland about their experiences. Then write a reflection on how hearing their story shapes the way you think about the Donauschwaben identity”, “ What do you enjoy most about being Donauschaben?”, and “Why is it important to carry on your Donauschwaben heritage?”.
The entries are judged by members of the Abt family and members of the Stiftung to determine the winners. The winners are announced at each national gathering, usually Labor Day weekend, and receive a monetary award funded by the Stiftung and Abt family.
This contest allows members of the youth groups to share their thoughts and ideas about the Donauschwaben. My hope when creating this contest was to help our young people become more involved in the Donauschwaben community. I also wanted our youth to dig deep into their Donauschwaben roots and ask questions to our Alte Schwobe. I am honored to continue to coordinate this activity to help keep the Donauschwaben heritage alive.
Katy Abt
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The Kulturprize winners for 2021 are Betty Leipold (Akron) and Maria Mattes (Philadelphia Donauschwaben). The prize winners are nominated and selected by the Landesverband and are each awarded $1000 by the Danube Swabian Foundation.
**************************************We wish you a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! **********************************
Please send donations to : Danube Swabian Foundation, USA
c/o Joseph Brandecker, Treasurer 11 Senf Drive, Yardville, New Jersey 08620
Donations are fully tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations