In Search of HEROs
  =============================
   $40K challenge from USTCAF 
       http://ustcaf.org

Dear Fellow USTCers,

*** USTCAF hitting big numbers ***

As of today, the official donation to 
USTC Alumni Foundation(USTCAF) has 
reached $957,608, just $42,392 short 
of the psychologically important 
milestone -- ONE MILLION US DOLLARS.
Counting checks "in the mail", the gap is
practically under $40K. Your support in 
closing the gap is highly appreciated at
http://ustcaf.org/d/donation

*** How we have got here ***

* USTCAF reached $1,000 in the second month 
  of its existence(7/1995), the largest 
  donation was just $320 from ZHANG 
  Shangyou(771);
* USTCAF reached $10,000 in the second year 
  of its existence(1996), the largest 
  donation was just $2500 from an anonymous 
  donor;
* USTCAF reached $100K in 1999 in the height 
  of its Goodwill Campaign, the largest 
  donation was just $15K proceeds from BRCM 
  stock donated by LI Xiaojun(8810).

Today, we are approaching the Million Dollar
threshold because of 3500 plus contributions
from proud USTCers, generous friends and 
matching corporations around the world. The 
average amount per donation is just $270 
while the largest donation is also setting 
new record. These facts serve as testimony 
of overwhelming grassroot support to our 
common cause and reflection of growing 
financial capability of USTC alumni community.

*** Why we do it at all ***

USTC used to be No. 1 in the good old days. 
However we can no longer claim that due to 
various reasons. In our opinion, the future 
of USTC relies on two things --

1. Whether USTC alumni can show to the world 
   that they can succeed in any endeavour 
   they choose to take -- just like you all 
   have demonstrated;

2. Whether USTC alumni can rally their 
   resources together to help each other 
   and GIVE BACK to USTC -- just like alumni 
   from Harvard, Stanford are doing year 
   after year.

USTCAF was founded in 1995 to take on the 
second task. In the past 12 years, nearly 
2000 USTCers and close to 100 corporations 
have donated close to $1M to our common 
cause; More than Half Million Dollars have 
been used to --

* Recruit outstanding highschool students;
* Help USTCers in financial difficulties;
* Encourage promising young researchers;
* Reward dedicated USTC teachers. 

To support those needy students in 2006 grade,
please check
http://www.ustcaf.org/d//2007/2006ngw.html

In the long run, we are building a Billion
Dollar endowment to take USTC destiny into 
the hands of USTCers. 

*** Will you be a HERO today? ***

On the battle field, HEROs are those who
are willing to sacrifice their lives for 
victory; In peaceful times, HEROs are 
those when facing challenge, who can make 
a difference with their strength, their 
brains, and their MONEY. By the time 
USTCAF reaches $1B, will you find your 
name among the HEROs who contributed the 
FIRST Million?

If one donates just $200 on average, we 
just need 200 donors to close the $40K 
gap. Any amount will be appreciated at

http://ustcaf.org/d/donation

where you may designate your gift to 
any specific USTCAF program or subfund.

USTCAF is a 501(c)(3) organization (that 
means 100% tax-deduction) run by pure
volunteers; Our administrative overhead 
in 2006 was around 0.1% if you have any 
concern in that regard.

When we grow older, when we look back, 
besides counting our individual 
achievement -- we shall have no regret 
for what we will have done collectively:

Hand-in-hand, dollar-by-dollar, we will 
have built a dream, an enterprise, a 
legacy -- compared to which personal fame 
is far less important -- that generation 
after generation of talented youths in 
China want to take part in.  

Thank you for making a difference today!

With best regards,

2007 USTC Alumni Foundation Governing Board

PS:     
For more details on AF financial status, 
please check
  http://ustcaf.org/d/donation/rec
  
To make a tax-deductible contribution, 
please go to

  http://ustcaf.org/d/donation

If you want to make stock donation, 
please contact Zhang Shangyou(771) at 
szhang AT udel.edu

Or if you are busy, just send a check 
payable to "USTC Alumni Foundation" to

USTCAF,
c/o Mr. Bing Zhang,
307 Blue Jay Dr,
Hockessin, DE 19707,
USA

(Please also write your email address, 
USTC class number and your Chinese name 
on the check.)