A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 hit eastern Turkey on Monday, killing at least 51 people and knocking down houses in six villages. The government's crisis center said an additional 74 people were injured in the quake, which occurred at 4:32 a.m. in Elazig province, about 550 kilometers east of Ankara, while most people were still sleeping.

Dear Friends,

This is the time that we need to show our friendship and brotherhood. Raindrop Helping Hands launched a campaign for Elazig earthquake victims.

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 to deliver it to Elazig Earthquake victims.

You can make your donations by:

  * Check (Please make your checks payable to: "Raindrop Helping Hands" and place the memo as Elazig Earthquake. 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 Elazig Earthquake to make donation.)

Dear Community Members,

Census-2010 is around the corner. As Raindrop Turkish House, we would like to inform you about Census 2010.

Census Forms will rrive in March in your mail boxes! Fill them out, mail them back! It's Easy, It's Important, It's Safe!

The 2010 Census aims to count all U.S. residents-citizens and non-citizens alike. 

Why do we have a Census? 

The U.S. Constitution requires it. The Census determines representation in the U.S. Congress. Census numbers are also used to allocate federal and state funding and redraw legislative boundaries. The public and private sectors use the numbers for many different planning needs. 

When do we complete and return the census questionnaire?

The questionnaires will arrive in your mail box in mid-March, 2010. After completing the form, you should mail it back to the Census Bureau by Census Day, April 1, 2010. 

Who should complete the Census form?

The head of household should complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence on April 1, 2010, including relatives and non-relatives.

Where Can I Get More Information? 

www.census.gov/2010census

Here are some downloadable forms for Census-2010.

Census-2010 information

Sample census form

Turkish translation of the form

Raindrop Turkish House in Collaboration with Houston Independent School District cordially invites you to the Award Reception and Ceremony of First Annual Art and Essay Contest with the theme “Alliance of Civilizations”. Raindrop Turkish House organizes Annual Art and Essay contest for Houston Independent School District middle and high school students This event is invitation only and RSVP is required. We at Raindrop Turkish House and HISD value your presence at this unique event and look forward to your RSVP. To RSVP you can simply click on the link: www.turkishhouse.org/rsvp and fill out the necessary items.

  Annual Art and Essay Contest Award Reception and Ceremony Information:

Friday, January 29, 2010 (6:00 pm. to 8:00 pm.)

06:00 p.m. – 06:30 p.m. : Award Reception

06:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. : Award Ceremony

Turquoise Center 9301 West Belfort, Houston, TX 77031

Please RSVP by January 26, 2010 at www.turkishhouse.org/rsvp

Business Attire

Haiti Earthquake Victims Waiting For Help!

Haiti Earthquake: a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll -- already in the thousands -- is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years

Dear Friends,

This is the time that we need to show our friendship and brotherhood. Raindrop Helping Hands launched a campaign for Haiti earthquake victims.

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 to deliver it to Haiti Earthquake victims.

You can make your donations by:

  * Check (Please make your checks payable to: "Raindrop Helping Hands" and place the memo as  Haiti Earthquake. 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  Haiti Earthquake to make donation.)

Merhaba!

Turkish Classes for the Fall season are starting on August 24. Class sessions will take place in Turquoise Center in Houston every Monday and Wednesday between 6 - 8 pm.

If you're interested in learning Turkish, we invite you this exciting course where you will explore many aspects of Turkish Culture along with Turkish Language. You'll have the opportunity in participating a big spectrum of activities such as Coffee Nights. (August 18, 2009, Houston, TX)

To register please click on this link: http://raindropturkevi.org/turkish-language-course-application-form.html

Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, spoke at Raindrop Forum - Morning Conversation Series. The topic was "Making Texas World-Class in a Global Economy".

Ms.Combs serves as the state's chief financial officer. She manages the state's treasury operations to monitor Texas' fiscal health, guides legislative decision makers by estimating state revenues and ensures state taxes are collected fairly and efficiently to fund vital programs and services for the people of Texas.

To see the pictures of this event, click here:

(August 12, 2009, Houston, TX)

Dear Friends,

We would like to share with you Turkey coverage in Houston Chronicle Travel Section on Sunday August 16, 2009. The article was written by Christina Herrndobler and it mentions many aspects of Turkey including Turkish Delight, Whirling Dervishes, Bosphorous Cruise, historical places and much more....

(August 17, 2009, Houston, TX)

Raindrop Forum in collaboration with Turquoise Council hosted Congressman John Culberson at a Town Hall Meeting. Congressman Culberson represents the 7th District of Texas, a seat formerly held by President George H. W. Bush and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer.

Congressman Culberson met with the community leaders from Turkic-American community and directed a speech to the audience. He talked about the several topics such as health care and border security;  (July 29, 2009, Houston, TX)