Dear Family and Friends,

I am excited to share with you that this winter break, I will be volunteering as part of a medical outreach team in Bocas del Toro, Panama, with USC’s chapter of Volunteers Around the World (VAW).  VAW is a humanitarian organization devoted to improving the standard of living for those that live in some of the world’s most poverty-stricken communities. Through our mission in Panama this December, we will be providing hundreds of locals with access to medical treatment, medication, and nutritional security.

I’m writing you today to let you know that over the next month, VAW at USC is making a push to fundraise the majority of the project’s medicine and supply expenses.  My personal goal is to raise $2,050 — the amount of money that it takes to cover these fees, as well as contributing to the reimbursement of local doctors aiding us on our mission.

I hope you’ll be able to support our mission.  Every donation — in any amount — helps us support more individuals facing some of the most desperate of circumstances in the world.

This opportunity means a lot to me.  I joined this organization because of an interest in helping others outside of the United States. USC’s chapter of VAW has done this same experience in Cambodia, Chile, and Vietnam to help those in years past. This will be our first time in Panama. In the end, I hope to be able to use this gained experience from a third world country to help broaden my understanding of humanitarian needs in other countries.
Thank you for your help and consideration.

Best,
Jack Rechtermann