ĐườngĐếnTựDo

Chương Trình Kêu Gọi Đóng Góp Một Viên Gạch cho Đường Đến Tự Do đã chấm dứt vào ngày 22 tháng 11 năm 2009. Chúng tôi xin chân thành cảm tạ sự hưởng ứng nồng nhiệt và thân tình của quí đồng hương và mạnh thường quân. Công trình xây cất con đường sẽ được khởi công trong tháng Giêng năm 2010 và chúng tôi sẽ thông báo đến cho toàn thể quí vị ngày Lễ Khai Trương Thư Viện Thomas Jefferson mới và Đường Đến Tự Do. Xin quí vị tiếp tục theo dỏi trang nhà này để được cập nhật hóa tiến trình xây cất và lễ khai trương

DỰ ÁN XÂY DỰNG ĐƯỜNG ĐẾN TỰ DO Gateway To Freedom Project Thomas Jefferson Library Falls Church, Virginia

The Gateway to Freedom Project is a public private partnership between the Fairfax County Public Library System and two Vietnamese organizations in the area: the Vietnamese National Institute of Administration Alumni Association, East Coast USA (NIAAA) and Quang Da Mutual Association, East Coast USA (QDMA). This project is a tribute to the Vietnamese refugees in Fairfax County, as well as in the United States.

Brief History
The Project started in 2003 when representatives of the two organizations approached Supervisor Penny Gross of Mason District and Mr. Sam Clay, Director of Fairfax County Public Library System, requesting that part of Thomas Jefferson Library be designated as a Vietnamese Reading Room so the members of the Vietnamese American Community could come and read Vietnamese books and other printed materials. In return, the two organizations would supply the library with Vietnamese books. This Vietnamese Reading Room was officially inaugurated on December 3, 2005. As of June 2009, the two organizations have donated more than 2,000 books to Thomas Jefferson Library.

When the Thomas Jefferson Library renovation plan was drawn, the two organizations offered to pay for all the bricks for the walkway to the main entrance (total of 1,094 bricks). These bricks will be engraved with names of Vietnamese-Americans and friends who donate the money for the bricks and the Thomas Jefferson Library. The Fairfax Library Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent.

Highlights
The walkway is a gift from the Vietnamese refugees to express their deep gratitude to the residents of Fairfax County and the American people who have given them a chance to live free again. It also represents the success and contribution of Vietnamese refugees to their new homeland and a reminder to younger generations to preserve the heritage and culture through the studying and reading of Vietnamese materials.

Timeline
The fundraising campaign was kicked off at a reception sponsored by the Vietnamese Medical Society, East Coast USA on June 27, 2009 and is expected to end in January-March 2010, or when all the bricks are donated, whichever comes first. The construction of the walkway will be started in early spring 2010 and is expected to be completed by the summer 2010.

Attachments:

New T.J. Library Map

Brick Sample

Donation Form