Dear John,

In the community of San Pascual, a neighborhood of the city of Cobán, in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, a woman smiles. The seedlings in her hands will soon be planted. The community has received small animals to raise and to help with composting. Packages of corn flour have arrived, too. There is enough to help 72 families get a fresh start. And the support is deeply appreciated.

The community faced catastrophic losses when two hurricanes flooded the area last year. But they survived. Spring came. And with help from friends and neighbors, and caring people like you, the people of San Pascual began planting the seeds for long-term recovery.

It’s one of many examples of how compassion turns into action in communities around the world. And there are so many more I could share.

AFSC’s Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge runs through Nov. 18. Your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous partner who will match your gift, up to $500,000. Please donate today!

We don’t know what the future holds, or what challenges lie ahead. But your gift will help ensure that when that moment comes, we can respond.

From Homestead, Florida, where community members organized to help farmworkers get vaccinated last summer, to Guatemala and far beyond, your generosity makes a difference.

I’m so grateful to people like you who put your values into action. The world needs more people coming together to care for one another. If you can, please join the challenge and help us put twice as many funds to work in communities worldwide!

In peace,

Your compassion makes a difference