The Swiss Benevolent Society was founded in 1865 as a charitable organization to support Swiss or descendants of Swiss living in Washington, DC and Helvetia, WV. We support those who need it most in our community through financial assistance, in home visits to the elderly or homebound, and through our scholarship program. You can learn more about our programs and how to ask for assistance by visiting our website, www.sbsofdc.org.

Please consider donating to the Swiss Benevolent Society. The SBS is run by a completely voluntary board of trustees. This ensures that all donations are spent on the people who need it most. And, the SBS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which allows your donation to be tax deductible. To find out how to make a donation, please visit our website, www.sbsofdc.org/donate.

The Swiss Folklore Group is in desperate need of new members to continue the Swiss traditions. You don't have to be Swiss to join.

Anyone interested in learning Swiss dances or learning Swiss songs, please contact:

Erwin Bürlimann
Tel: 703-507-1751
E-mail: Eburlimann@comcast.net

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Veterans of the Swiss Folklore Group are honored.

Our Swiss Folklore Group was founded in 1954 and joined the Eidgenössische Jodel Verband (Swiss Federal Jodel Association) in 1978. Many members were honored as EJV veterans 25 years later, but for some, the honors came only recently, when Ursula Banzhaf requested them from Switzerland. At a joyful mid-May party the EJVcertificates and pins finally were handed to the Jodel Veterans Otto and Odette Müller, Fran Walters, Roger Watkin and Naomi Rogers, and were sent to Sally Hirsh and Felicitas Cotner. Erwin Bürlimann, Anneli Fielding und Usula Banzhaf will receive theirs this June when they participate at the Eidg. Jodlerfest in Interlaken, Switzerland. Congratulations to all!

The society was named in honor of Hedwig Stauffacher, the fearless wife of Werner Stauffacher, a steadfast free landholder from Schwyz. Hedwig encouraged her husband to fight for freedom from foreign rule and tyranny. Together with other mountain farmers of Uri and Unterwalden, they defended the valleys of Schwyz and contributed to the heroic struggle for Swiss independence.

The goal of Die Stauffacherin is to promote friendship among its members, help one another, and maintain Swiss heritage and traditions. In addition, it supports cultural and social programs in the Washington DC area.

Members meet once a month. For more information, please contact:
Janine Ali, President, janineseltzer@gmail.com

Looking for SWISS nationals (men, women, children (age 10 and up) who would like to participate in target shooting or would like to learn shooting. We shoot high-powered rifles (K31 club rifles or your own) during the summer time, small bore (.22 caliber) and handguns during winter. A beginner's course is in the planning as well.

For detailed information about the Swiss Rifles Club and their activities, please contact Ken Schelbert.
E-mail: mailto:ken@schelberts.com

Offer...
You are a Swiss abroad under the age of 25 and would like to return to Switzerland for your first education, a vocational or university training ?

educationsuisse offers information and documentation on study courses, education possibilities and public offices as well as on the Swiss education system in general:

  • Universities, Universities of applied sciences, vocational training, practical courses, language stays, integration coureses
  • Housing possibilities, career guidance offices, student grants and additional scholarships

Attention...
Before you make a decision, please think of the following important points:

  • Language: Very good knowledge of at least one of the national languages is a prerequisite.
  • Educational background: Most educational institutions require specific backgrounds for the admission. Foreign certificates are not always recognised as such.
  • Expenses and financing: No education is completely free of charge! Besides the expenses for the actual education, there is also the cost of living to be considered. The questions of funding must be clarified before beginning the education.
  • Housing: Cheap accommodation possibilities are rare. It is therefore worthwhile to start looking early.

What is educationsuisse?
educationsuisse was founded in 1962 by the Foundation for young Swiss Abroad, the Organisation of Swiss Abroad and the pro juventute Foundation. The office is located in the Organisation of Swiss abroad's building. This non-profit association is mainly financed by subsidies of the Federal Office for Culture as well as by private donations.

For more information write to:
educationsuisse, Alpenstr. 26, 3006 Berne
info@educationsuisse.ch
Tel +41 (0)31 356 61 04
Fax +41 (0)31 356 61 01
or visit http://www.educationsuisse.ch
Additional information can be found in this Flyer

We are a loosely organized club. Everyone from Switzerland or with a heritage or love for Switzerland is welcome.

The club was organized by Kurt & Nancy Bischofberger on August 23, 1998. We have presently 20 active members. Our yearly activities include – a Christmas Party, early December, - one or two Raclette Parties, - a Summer Potluck / Bratwurst Cookout, – a visit to a winery, - or a visit to a member’s beach house. And very important, we try to invite the Ambassador to visit Richmond VA, e.g. to meet with our governor, to visit the White House and Museum of the Confederacy, etc.

We have a yearly due of $ 15.00 for mailings, etc. Guy is our treasurer, and he keeps a detailed account of our expenditures.

The Committee: Kurt and Maya Debrunner - Guy and Dodie Jeanrenaud

swissamericanclubrichmondva@gmail.com