December 2021

Dear Friends,

Happy holiday greetings to all in the DS Family from DSF! With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to look forward to a wonderful holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, greet the New Year, or get together for a family winter gathering, we all can find reasons to be thankful this year. This time last year we were in the midst of a terrible pandemic that took many loved ones and nearly ruined our economy, with only the hope of an answer in new vaccine development. Today many millions have been successfully vaccinated and we as a country are safer and the economy is again growing. Perhaps that is what we can consider our holiday miracle for this year!

However, many in the DS extended family serving abroad may not have the same reasons to be thankful. The pandemic and other events continued to make this a challenging year for many. Those providing essential security, protecting our officers, families, and facilities, continue to go to work every day at our embassies and consulates abroad. Many travel by bus or other crowded transportation methods, and are the first to deal with the public every day. Tragically, quite a few became very ill or perished, leaving behind families to deal with anguish, loss, and financial insecurity.

The Diplomatic Security Foundation, thanks to your generous donations, stepped in and made a difference for many. In 2020, we made $94K in grants, and this year, we’re at $85K as of Nov 30. With the Fall 2021 restart of our major fundraising event, the DSF Mike Considine Golf Charity Outing, we are able to start next year in a relatively good financial position. The golf tournament was a wonderful event and we had 292 golfers who corporately and individually contributed to this end, but the golf-club fees and costs are higher this year and do take a good portion of what we raise. So, you’re not off the hook!

As this year comes to an end, please take a moment to think about expanding your giving beyond the immediate family. Take a moment to consider those who may not have been so fortunate, those in our DS family who lost loved ones or suffered other tragedies. If you have the ability, we hope you will consider making a year-end donation to DSF - large or small - so we can continue our mission of providing for those who have lost so much.

You can donate and help in several ways, including the following:

· Visit the DSF website and donate directly – dsfoundation.org

· Send us a check – DSF, 14383 Newbrook Dr Ste 300-408, Chantilly, VA 20151

· Donate through the Combined Federal Campaign – pick DSF #96262

· Shop at Amazon Smile and pick DSF as your charity of choice – www.smile.amazon.com

· Visit our website for other ways to donate: dsfoundation.org/donate-options

· DSF is a 501(c)3 charity, making your donation 100% tax deductible

On behalf of the entire board of the DS Foundation, I hope I can count on your support. Best regards for a happy, enjoyable, and safe Holiday Season.

- Greg Starr

DSF Board President