Last night, August 25, 2010, Houston’s Raindrop Turkish House hosted a dinner with the members of the well-known channel 2 news cast. The guests from channel two, which included Kim Davis, Mike Guerreiri, and vice-president Lary Blackberby entered the building and were greeted warmly by Turkish House President Mehmet Okumus. They were then seated in the Raindrop House’s dining area and were given a presentation on the mission which was succeeded by a delicious array of Turkish foods. As the dinner drew to a close the Raindrop House presented the members of the channel 2 news cast with a certificate of appreciation. Vice President of channel 2, Lary Blackberby, expressed his deep gratitude and a desire to continue the cooperation with the Raindrop Turkish House. The night ended with a group photo. (August 25, 2010, Houston, TX)
Monday August 23 the Raindrop Turkish House hosted a
refreshing collaboration dinner between its Turkish Language and Turkish
Cuisine Class students. The night started off as the students and the various
community guests in attendance met and mingled. It continued with a Raindrop
Turkish House presentation delivered by Raindrop Turkish House president
himself Mehmet Okumus. As it is the time of fasting and Ramadan, the setting of
the sun signaled the beginning of dinner, and as dinner drew to a close the laughter
of the guests was evidence enough of the night's success.
(August 23, 2010, Houston, TX)
Raindrop Turkish House, in collaboration with the Institute of Interfaith Dialog
and the Gulen Institute , organized the Annual Travelers to Turkey Reunion Dinner.
Travellers had the opportunity to share their memories and for a moment relive them as they simulteously enjoyed delicious Turkish food and live Turkish music.
Last night, Wednesday August 18, 2010, Houston’s own Raindrop Turkish Center hosted its first ever Firefighter Engagement Dinner. The event brought together firefighters-captains, chiefs, and EMTs alike-from all over the Houston area, in an effort to promote effective emergency aid while simultaneously respecting the ideas and values of the Turkish culture. This idea was further exemplified as the firefighters bowed their heads and closed their eyes as a Turkish imam sounded the call to prayer that signaled Iftar, or the end of the day’s fast. As dinner ended Raindrop Turkish House president Mehmet Okumus gave the firefighters a presentation on the House and the mission to promote cultural understand on which it was founded. Acting Fire Chief Rick Flanagan also shared a few words and was then surprised with a Certificate of Appreciation which he accepted on behalf of the entire Houston Fire Department in honor of their work and dedication as fire fighters in the Houston community. The night ended as the firefighters rolled in their trucks, flashing lights and all and allowed members of the community a chance inside. (August 18, 2010, Houston, TX)
Raindrop Turkish House hosted 2nd Annual Friendship and Engagement Dinner for Sister City Associations. In collaboration with Houston-Istanbul, Houston-Baku, Houston-Karachi, Houston-Leipzig and Houston-Abu Dhabi sister city associations, we were very pleased to have honorable Consul Generals from Italy, Germany, India, and Turkey. Our president welcomed the guests and had the presentation about the Raindrop Turkish House. Mr. Ruhi Ozgel, the president of Houston-Istanbul Sister City Associations and Ellen Goldberg, the president of Sister City Associations expressed their appreciations to our foundation for making this event possible.
Raindrop Turkish House in Houston hosted medical professionals for a dinner at Turquoise Center. Around 130 people attended to this excellent event. Our president welcomed the gueasts and had the presentation about our foundation. The guests had their appreciations for the event and the dinner. (August 15, 2010, Houston, TX)
Raindrop Turkish House hosted its third annual friendship and engagement dinner with Houston Police Department. The program started with the tour of the building. Our president had a presentation about Raindrop Turkish House. John Chen, West Command Chief of Police shared his remarks with the officers and community. President Mehmet Okumus presented an Appreciation Certificate to Officer Bobby Conley from Fondren Patrol Division for his hard work and dedication to our community. Captain Spears from Fondren division shared his remarks with the community. The program was over with the group picture in our lobby.
Raindrop Turkish House in Houston was home to a wonderful night with its neighbors. Raindrop Turkish House hosted 120 people who live around Turquoise Center at the "3rd Annual Friendship and Engagement Dinner with Neighborhood".
Mr. Mehmet Okumus, President of Raindrop Turkish House welcomed everyone and expressed how significant this event is. He had the presentation about the foundation’s activities throughout the year, and mentioned that “The mission of Turkish House to build the bridges among the communities by providing educational, social and cultural events”.
One of the distinguished participants at the dinner was Congressman Al Green. He talked about the importance of community involvement, diversity, and living together and presented the certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to Kemal Oksuz, the president of Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians. Mr. Oksuz presented him Special Recognition certificate from Raindrop Turkish House. Over 120 neighbors participated in the event, and they expressed their positive feedback on organizing these kinds of events in the future.
The Director of Community Services of Brays Oaks Management District Richard Rodriguez received the appreciation award on behalf of B.O.M.D. directors.
We thank all our neighbors who participated!
We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives because of the flood in
Pakistan. This was one of the worst in the last 80 years.
A Pakistani Red Crescent official told that the number of people
affected by the floods has risen to nearly 2.5 million people, with
infrastructure receiving major damage.
"We estimate that about 100,000 people, mostly children, have been hit
by cholera and gastro diseases," Syed Zahir Ali Shah, health minister
for Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, was quoted by AFP as saying.
As the relief effort in flood-hit Pakistan intensified Monday, officials
were bracing themselves for an outbreak of disease among the millions
affected by the country's worst deluge in 80 years.
The United Nations said there is a need for help in providing emergency
shelter, food, drinking water and sanitation facilities. Its agencies
are geared to help with these issues.
President Asif Ali Zardari said all available resources would be used to
help those stranded by the waters, the APP reported.
Raindrop Helping Hands launched a campaign to aid flood victims in
Pakistan.
Please send us your generous donation so that we can deliver it to those
who are in need. Funds collected through the Helping Hands' account
will be delivered to the authorized people in the U.S. or through our
sister organizations located in Turkey.
You can make your donations by:
* Check (Please make your checks payable to: "Raindrop Helping Hands"
and place the memo as Pakistan Flood. The check should be sent to 9301
West Belfort Houston, Texas 77031)
* Google Checkout (Please log on to website
http://raindropturkevi.org/helpinghands.You can see the Donate Thru
Google Checkout button on the left side of the website and choose
Pakistan flood to make donation.)
Congressman CiroRodriguez of the 23rd congressional district honored the Turkishcommunity by visiting Raindrop Turkish House on Friday, June 4, 2010.Accompanied by his wife, Carolina Rodriguez, and Field Representative, IrmaGutierrez, Congressman Rodriguez met with Turkish community leaders over atraditional Turkish coffee. After a tour of the Raindrop Turkish House andconversation with some of the members of the Turkish community, CongressmanRodriguez gave an address to all attendees.
Raindrop Foundation presented 2nd annual food and craft fair in April 10th, 2010, Saturday 11:00 am – 6 pm at Raindrop Turkish House. We presented some unique gift items, Turkish handcrafts, jewelry and delicious authentic Turkish foods! More than 500 hundred people came and enjoyed Turkish kebab, kinds of baklava, pastries and more with their family, friends. Also we prepared air dancer and some other things for children. We hosted different national people too.
Raindrop Turkish House and Turkish Student Association presented Turkish Night.
Turkish Night presented proudly by Turkish Student Association incorporated with Raindrop Turkish House on 16th April,2010 in the International Cultural Center (ICC) at Texas Tech University. The saloon was full and most of people were excited about role playes which are a taste of Turkish culture before marriage, henna night- Turkish bridal party- Turkish poems,songs, and jokes.