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2026 Annual Appeal Fundraiser Kickoff!
Dear Friend of Milarepa Center,
Autumn greetings from Milarepa Center! As I write this year’s Annual Appeal letter to you all, I am writing from the container of the retreat I began on the summer solstice and will end on the winter solstice. The past few months have been incredibly challenging at times, blissful at others, and some days I question what I am doing. As I continue on in my retreat, I hold all of you in my heart and prayers each day and reflect on how incredibly fortunate we all are to have a precious human rebirth and to have places like Milarepa Center available for study and practice! Milarepa Center has become a sanctuary for so many people who are choosing to go deeper and embark on the incredibly difficult task of conducting private retreat. As Jetsun Milarepa reminds us:
“The dharma is not in the books. If you want to find the dharma, look in your mind”.
Just next month I will begin the10th year of being Director here at Milarepa Center. Truthfully, I did not plan to be here that long let alone be the Center Director, yet here I am, still. From where I have sat this past decade, one thing I can assure you of is that there are so many people who have a heart connection here and many more are continuing to connect each year. Places like Milarepa Center are so incredibly valuable to those who wish to step out of the chaos of the world, even if only for a short time, and anchor themselves into their hearts and practice.
As we begin to plan for 2027, and in accordance with Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice for Milarepa Center, we will continue to offer space and support for students to conduct private solitary retreats. We will also continue to offer public programs when we can and teachers are in the area, but supporting private retreats has been and will continue to be the primary focus. Having places here in the West that offer conducive conditions for solitary retreat is so incredibly crucial for students to advance on the path and to integrate the teachings into their lives. The more that places like Milarepa Center are supported, the more the causes and conditions are created for the dharma to flourish and the center to continue to exist!
For the Center to be able to continue offering these services we need your support in this year’s Annual Appeal. In the coming year, we are anticipating, planning, and budgeting for some crucial repairs of the main building including a much needed roof replacement, repairs and upkeep of the retreat cabins, and expenses associated with the continuation and regular maintenance of our spiritual projects. We also remain committed to sustainable operations and keeping our overhead expenses as low as possible but the rising costs associated with maintaining the building’s infrastructure and maintenance continue to be a difficult and costly challenge.
Our goal this year is to raise $18,000 by the end of 2026. Can you help us achieve this goal? Every little bit helps, and we are truly grateful for any contribution you can make. We would not be here without all of you who support and give to our Annual Appeal each year!
Donations can be made online at http://milarepacenter.org/donation or by check made payable to Milarepa Center - PO Box 51 Barnet, VT. 05821.
Our sincere and deep heartfelt thanks and we hope to see you in the coming year. May you and yours be happy and healthy!
Sincerely,
Dawn Holtz, Center Director
Board of Directors
Jim Hagan, Board Chair, FPMT Appointee
Debra Thornburg, Secretary
Dave Lochtefeld, Treasurer
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