Please help us to support your fellow Estonians with tax deductible donations!
Grants to the Estonian Red Cross for Ukraine War Relief (Eesti Punane Rist Ukraina Pagulusabi)
The Estonian Relief Committee is supporting the Estonian Red Cross relief effort to help Ukraine refugees in Estonia. There is a shortage of food, medicine and hygiene in Ukraine. The supply of water, electricity and heating to the population is intermittent. Homes have been destroyed, people are homeless. Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have already been welcomed in Estonia and Estonia needs your help!
Grants to Tallinn Children's Hospital Foundation (Eesti Lastehaigla Toetusfond)
The Estonian Relief Committee is a regular financial supporter of the Tallinn Children's Hospital Foundation. The funds are used to support the purchase of advanced medical equipment and projects that will benefit children across Estonia. The Tallinn Children's Hospital's mission is to provide the best family-driven support, to be engaged in clinical development, to participate in research and to help prepare the next generation of children's health workers, doctors and nurses.
Grant to the SOS Children's Village in Estonia (Eesti SOS Lasteküla)
The Estonian Relief Committee is a regular financial supporter of SOS Children’s Village in Estonia which is an alternative to foster families and ensures children with permanent families and homes.
They provide children without parental care living conditions, which resemble a life in a family. Children are referred to the SOS Children’s villages by local authorities of Estonia. Children are provided with a safe living environment, which facilitates their further development. Reliable relations and love, which they can experience again, will give the child an opportunity to recover from previous experiences, which have often been traumatic.Children can live in the same family with their biological siblings while still keeping contact with their biological parents.
Tee heategu ja aita vanemliku hoolitsuseta lapsi!
Grants to Estonian Food Banks (Eesti Toidupangad)
The Estonian Relief Committee has directly supported numerous local food banks in more rural areas including Jõgeva, Rakvere and Valga. The foodbanks are part of the Estonian Foodbank network whose mission is to share food with deprived people, food that otherwise would have been destroyed.
Food Banks are specialists in bringing food from places where it is in surplus to places where there is need. The Food help families and people who have financial problems and during a short or longer period cannot get by. The help is free of charge and in principle temporary. The foodbanks give food aid to poor families, the aged and long-term unemployed, prioritizing those with many children or young children. The families are selected with the help of the local social services department.
Grants to the Estonian Support Union of the Deafblind (Eesti Pimekurtide Liit)
The Estonian Relief Committee has provided numerous grants to the Estonian Support Union of the Deafblind whose mission includes: • Protection of the lawful rights and interests of Deaf-blind people • Pedagogical and social rehabilitation and quality of life of affected children and adults • Training of teachers and partners • Collection and disemination of information • Cooperate with legal entities and individuals in related fields.
Grants to Estonia's Womens Shelters (Eesti Naisliit ja Pärnu Naiste Tugikeskus)
The Estonian Relief Committee, in coordination with EERO Kanada, has supported numerous women's shelters in Estonia with grants to Eesti Naisliit and Pärnu Naiste Tugikeskus. The funding supports women with children moving from women's refuges to independent living.
The grants in 2020-2021 helped 52 women and 125 children who lived in Pärnu County, Saaremaa, Kihnu, Põlva, Tartu, Lääne County and Hiiumaa. The grants allowed women's families to buy: food, shoes, clothes, cleaning supplies, glasses, rent, fuel, and covered transportation costs for therapy and counseling.
Grants to the Estonian Association of Injured Soldiers (Eesti Vigastatud Sõjameeste Ühing)
The Estonian Relief Committee has provided financial support to the Estonian Association of Injured Soldiers for decades. The funds are used to support the remaining World War II veterans who fought to maintain Estonia's independence.
The organization celebrated it's 100th anniversary as described in this linked article and video. It was originally established to support 22,000 veterans of Estonia's War of Independence.
Grants to the Estonian Wounded Warriors Association (Eesti Vigastatud Võitlejate Ühing)
The Estonian Relief Committee has provided financial support to the Estonian Wounded Warriors Association. Their goal is to support injured fighters immediately after their accident and to help them return to normal life as soon as possible.
To this end, they run the “Blue Flower Campaign” in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Defense Forces, the Defense League and many sponsors and volunteers. The association unites wounded fightersinto a single organization to increase mutual coherence and to assist them in the rehabilitation, economic, social, hobby, educational and legal fields.
Grants to the Estonian Boys Scouts & Estonian Girl Guides in the USA (Eesti Skautide Malev USA-s ja Eesti Gaidide Malev USA-s)
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has supported the Estonian Boys Scouts and Estonian Girl Guides in the USA, including grants for participation at summer camps held in Estonia and in Jackson, NJ. The camps and ongoing scout and guide activities are key to establishing and maintaining our Estonian heritage and provide a path for our future leaders.
Grants to the Long Island Estonian Society & Children's Summer Camp (Long Island Eesti Selts ja Lastesuvekodu)
The Estonian Relief Committee is a regular financial supporter of the Long Island Estonian Educational Society which operates and maintains the 7 acre property. The site inlcudes: cabins, a pool, track, volleyball court, sauna and main hall with a kitchen and dining area.
Many Estonian events are held there including the annual "Lastesuvekodu" summer camp, "Jaanipäev" and the annual Estonian-American Amateur Athletics sports day.
Grants to the Estonian American Amateur Athletes (Eesti Spordiliit USA-s)
Eesti Spordiliit USA-s is committed to creating the sporting experiences and events that bring Estonians together to celebrate their friendships and culture.
Every summer ESL coordinates athletic events at Lakewood and Long Island that offer kids, teenagers and adults the opportunity to compete and bond with fellow Estonians. Competitive events include: track & field, swimming, bowling, tennis, volleyball and golf.ESL has also been instrumental in helping to fund, build and sustain the sports venues that are used at these events e.g. swimming pool, volleyball, basketball, tennis courts along with track and field sites.
Every winter, ESL coordinates the ESTO Ski trip and ski races with participants from the USA and Canada.
Grants to the NY Mixed Choir (NY Segakoor)
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has supported the NY Estonian Mixed Choir and its predecessors -- the NY Estonian Womens Choir and the NY Estonian Mens Choir.
The choir practices at the NY Estonian House and performs at numerous Estonian cultural events and venues throughout the year.
Grants to the West Coast Estonian Days (LEP - Lääneranniku Eesti Päevad)
The Estonian Relief Committee has directly supported the Lääneranniku Eestipäevad for LEP-2019 and LEP-2022 in celebration of Estonian culture and heritage.
Since 1953, West Coast Estonians along with their global guests have met to sing, dance, and reconnect with old and make new friends. Lääneranniku Eesti Päevad or LEP, is the festival of everything Estonian.
Grants to the Northeast Estonian Children's Choir (Idaranniku Lastekoor)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the Northeast Estonian Children's choir for a few years, including their singing camps and performance at the 2017 Children's Song festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
The camps and ongoing practice and performance activities are key to establishing and maintaining our Estonian heritage and love for song with today's youth.
Grants to the Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Estonian Youth (Eesti Skaudi- ja Gaidisõprade Seltside Liit USAs)
The FAAEY, know as the "Liit" owns, maintains and operates the Järvemetsa campsite property in Jackson, NJ. Järvemetsa hosts the summer camp and other outings for the Estonian brownies, girls scouts, cub scouts and boy scouts. Thousands of Estonians from all over the world have participated in the camps over the decades.
During the joint annual meeting of the Estonian Girl Guides in the US and the Council of Estonian Scouting in USA, the ERC provided their annual grant to the Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Estonian Youth (FAAEY). From left to right in the 2014 photo, taken by Urve Põhi, are Toomas Kilm (ERC President), Mati Kobin (FAAEY President) and Virve Vaher (ERC Secretary). See photos of the kitchen and roof renovations funded by ERC grants.
Grants to Estonian-American Folk Dancing Troupes and Choirs at Estonia's 2019 Song and Dance Festival
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has provided financial support to Estonian folk dancing troupes and singing choirs in the U.S. in order to preserve and promote Estonian culture and heritage.
During the summer of 2019, over 100 members of these groups from New York, San Fransisco and Seattle were able to demonstrate their skills by representing the U.S. at Estonia's Song Festival and Dance Festival and associated venues held in Tallin, Estonia.
EESTI LAULUPIDU
EESTI TANTSUPIDU
SAARE VIKAT
NEW YORK ESTONIAN MIXED CHOIR
Grants to the Estonian Archives in the US (Eesti Arhiiv Ühendriikides)
The Estonian Relief Committee is a member and regular supporter of the Estonian Archives in the US. The EAU was established in 1969 with the aim to preserve the history of Estonians in exile. The archives are housed in a specially erected building near the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lakewood. The membership consists of Estonian organizations in the U.S. The archives are run by volunteers and the costs of the archives are covered by membership fees and voluntary donations.
In 2003, the Estonian Archives in the U.S. established the Hildegard Must Estonian-American Studies Fund at the University of Minnesota to preserve Estonian archival materials and many of the EAU’s collections have been transferred. This work is selectively continuing.
Grants to the NY Estonian Education Society (New Yorgi Eesti Haridusselts)
Programs include support of Estonian groups such as the Estonian School, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, choirs and dance troupes. The New York Estonian Educational Society was established on December 7,1929. Since then, the Society has served as the center and focal point of Estonian activity in New York.
The New York Estonian House provides the official mailing address for the Estonian Relief Committee as a much apperciated contribution.
Grants to the Lakewood Estonian Association (Lakewoodi Eesti Ühing)
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has supported the non-profit activities of the Lakewood Estonian Association which owns and operates the Estonian House in Jackson, NJ.
Programs include support of Estonian groups such as the Estonian School, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, choirs and dance troupes, and other sports and cultural events.
LAKEWOOD EESTI KOOL
Grants to the Chicago Estonian House (Chicago Eesti Maja)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the Chicago Estonia House, nestled on the Des Plaines River in the heartland of America. The closest counterparts are on the East and West coasts. It is not unusual for visitors to travel several hundred miles to reconnect with their Estonian roots at our community center.
The Chicago Estonian House is a cultural center that promotes Estonian culture, language and history and serves as a meeting place for people of Estonians heritage and friends of Estonia. The Estonian School is in session two Sundays per month, the Estonian Lutheran Church conducts a monthly service and the library is open every Sunday. Annually. We celebrate Estonian Independence Day, Mid-Summer Night, Christmas and New Years Eve. On 40 Sundays of the year the dining room is open for lunch, and during the year we provide a stage for Estonian musicians, actors, artists and dignitaries.
CHICAGO EESTI KOOL
Grants to the Estonian Cultural Society of Chicago (Eesti Kultuuriselts Chicagos)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported certain activities of the Estonian Cultural Society of Chicago (ECSC), including the Lecture series of Estonian Folk Costumes. The ECSC mission is to promote educational and social interest of American Estonians living in Illinois, to preserve American Estonian culture and language, and to introduce Estonian culture to other nations living in Illinois.
ESCS is working in partnership with NGO Rahvarõivas in Estonia to facilitate the two-year Lecture series of Estonian Folk Costumes history and craftsmanship with a purpose of making, wearing, and preserving Estonian Folk Costumes and its handcraft traditions. The courses are intended for people who are interested in folk costumes and who also want to learn more about the costumes’ history, traditions as well as how to make one of their own. Nineteen participants started the program in spring of 2021 from Illinois, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington, California, New York, Ireland, and Estonia.
Grants to the Washington Estonian Society (Washingtoni Eesti Selts)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the Pillerkaar Estonia folk-dancing troupe with funding to the Washington Estonian Society.
The Washington Estonian Society unites local Estonians and friends of Estonia in the greater Washington D.C. area through various events and the Washington Estonian School. Thanks to the close relationship with the Estonian Embassy in Washington, we organize events such as meetings with Estonian politicians, movie nights, theater performances, celebrations, etc. for both adults and children at the Embassy in Washington D.C.. Washington Estonian School meets at the Latvian Church in Rockville, MD.
Grants to The Foundation of Estonian Arts and Letters (Eesti Kultuurfond Ameerika Ühendriikides)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the activities of The Foundation for Estonian Arts and Letters which support and promote Estonian arts, literature, language and culture in the United States.
The Estonian Relief Committee has helped to sponsor the annual New York Culture Days and special events like the EV100 celebrations and Northeast Estonian Youth Choir participation in the 2017 Children's Song festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
Eesti Kultuurfond Ameerika Ühendriikides
The Foundation of Estonian Arts and Letters
Grants to the San Fransico Estonian Society (San Fransico Eesti Selts)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the San Fransisco Estonian Mixed Choir with funding to the San Fransisco Estonian Society.
The Estonian Society of San Francisco and Northern California is an all-volunteer organization that works to connect local Estonians and promote Estonian cultural life in the Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO EESTI SEGAKOOR
Grants to the Seattle Estonian Society (Seattle Eesti Selts)
The Estonian Relief Committee has supported the Seattle Estonian Mixed Choir with funding to the Seattle Estonian Society.
Seattle Estonian Society brings together Estonians and Estonian-spirited Americans to carry on Estonian culture, traditions and language and to organize social events to celebrate national holidays and Estonia.
SEATTLE EESTI SEGAKOOR
Estonian Folk Dancing Troupes and Estonian Choirs at LEP Esto 2013 in San Fransico
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has provided financial support to Estonian folk dancing troupes and singing choirs in the Northeast in order to preserve and promote Estonian culture and heritage.
The New York "Saare Vikat" dance troop and the Connecticut Estonian School dance troop "Jaanik" as well as their choir were able to perform at the West Coast Esto Fesitival based on grants provided by the ERC. The event provided an extraordinary opportunity for Estonians of all ages to participate and view folk dancing groups and choirs from all over the world.
Please read some of the thank you letters written by the Connecticut Estonian School youngsters who were able to participate in the events. (Photo of CT. Estonian School participants by Avo and Merike Siismets)
Grants to the Free Estonian Word Newspaper (Vaba Eesti Sõna)
Over the years, the Estonian Relief Committee has supported the non-profit programs of the Free Estonian Word (Vaba Eesti Sõna) newspaper in order to publicize, maintain and promote the Estonian language, heritage, culture and non-profit events.
