“Meet Us Halfway” raises over $70,000 for Kosovo’s Mothers and Children

02.11.2023

On October 27th, the annual fundraising event “Meet Us Halfway” was held in New York, raising over $70,000 in support of mothers and children in Kosovo. This extraordinary event, known for its spirit of unity and compassion, not only brings together people from diverse backgrounds but also serves as a beacon of hope for those in need halfway across the world.

The seventh edition of “Meet Us Halfway” was a celebration of past achievements, as well as a presentation of AMC’s most recent endeavor: the James Strickler Endowment Fund, which aims to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals in Kosovo.

Throughout the night, guests were accompanied by the great live performance of the Muhaxheri family, along with speeches from keynote speakers who have made significant changes in Kosovo’s healthcare system. 

Ilir Hoxha, AMC Board Member, presented the initiative to establish the James Strickler Endowment Fund and emphasized the significance of this initiative, as well as shared his own experience as a beneficiary of the Fulbright Fellowship at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy 20 years ago. “We will promote partnerships and provide exchanges between professionals in Kosovo and Dartmouth. The goal is to create a sustainable impact on maternal and child health in Kosovo.” said Mr. Hoxha

In his speech, Dr. George Little, an AMC Board Member, discussed Dr. James Strickler’s initiative and vision to create a local NGO that would not rely on the international community but would instead be led by Kosovars. He noted that this vision has become a reality, and AMC is now a highly sustainable and successful organization.

Carol Strickler, the daughter of James Strickler, one of the founding members of Action for Mothers and Children and the Honorary Board Member of AMC, delivered a speech highlighting her father’s humanitarian efforts in Kosovo, which began in the early 2000s immediately after the war. Ms. Strickler expressed her appreciation for the establishment of the James Strickler Endowment Fund, viewing it as a means of honoring her father’s work, while simultaneously ensuring new resources and opportunities for future healthcare professionals in Kosovo.

Last but not least, Richard Lukaj, an Honorary Board Member at AMC, who has supported AMC’s mission since its inception, reminisced about his early memories with Dr. Strickler when they came together to establish Action for Mothers and Children, as an initiative that would address the high infant mortality rate in post-war Kosovo.

AMC extends its sincere appreciation to the event’s donors and supporters, which include the Lukaj Foundation and Agron Abrashi – Rotary Club of Gjakova serving as Platinum Sponsors, Mentor and Michelle Ahmeti supporting as Golden Sponsors, Dafina Pruthi, Balkan Bites, F’Oda, MP Construction D Inc., and Jim Rogers as Bronze Sponsors, and many more individual donors. 

Through this display of unity and philanthropy, the event managed to raise a significant amount, which will go a long way in creating a sustainable impact on maternal and child health in Kosovo.