Reception for the Organization for Cross-Cultural Exchange (OCCE)  will be on Thursday, October 9, 5-7 pm at the Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI.  This reception will acquaint interested persons about what OCCE has been doing and future projects.Presenting the Vukuzenzele, South Africa, ProjectA Partnership between OCCE and the Kettering UniversityChapter of Engineers Without BordersFlint Institute of Arts1120 E . Kearsley StreetFlint, MI  48503Thursday, October 95-7 pmWine and hors d’oeuvresThose arriving between 4:00 - 5:00 pm. may tour the FIA,including the “Name Change” Exhibit by Ed McGowinOCCE is a 501 (c) (3)  non profit and all donations are tax deductible

Planning is in process for the return to Vukuzenzele in January 2009. May 9, 2008 OCCE presented a video and PowerPoint concerning the plight of Vukuzenzele to Kettering University’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and the students involved are very excited about the OCCE and Vukuzenzele Project.  They are presently working toward submitting a proposal to EWB concerning the OCCE project.Thursday May 1, 2008 met with : Michelle Owens, PhD, Michigan State University’s Associate Director of International Agriculture and Director of International Extension Programs and David Fenech from Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Service - Genesee County.   Both were very enthusiastic about the work that OCCE is doing and are willing to  partner with OCCE with a health and nutrition agricultural program and possibly an exchange program between schools here and Lourdes Mission School or Cetyswayo Primary.

We’d like to thank the following for their most generous contributions and guidance in the formation of this non-profit organization:

• Elie Boudt, Ferndale, MI
• Christine’s Cuisine, Ferndale MI
• Roe Peterhans, Ferndale MI
• Vincent Mazzola, Mt. Clemens, MI
• Bruce Galloway, Grand Blanc, MI
• Diplomat Pharmacy, Flint, MI
• Donal Moore, Birmingham, MI
• Ethan Daniel Davidson, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Our first fundraiser reception at the Flint Institute of the Arts was a success thanks to:                                                                                      Gold Sponsors

• Lee Gonzales
• Elie Boudt
• Ethan Daniel Davidson

Silver Sponsors

• Richard Barber
• Carl and Karen Bekofske
• Mary Gleason 
• Norma Galloway
• Eli Gonzales
• The Lee Gonzales Team
• Roy & Muriel Haygood
• Scott & Cheryl Hope
• Dr. Jack Kay
• Dr. Prasad & Jayashree Kommareddi
• Dr. Paul and Susan Lauber
• George and Kimberly Navarrette
• Donna Proffer
• Linda Pylypiw, Esq.
• David and Sanjuana Solis
• Zoe Starkweather

Bronze

• David and Olga Arceo
• John Care
• Lowell and Sylvia Conner
• Stella Gonzales
• Diane Harsh
• James and Helen Irwin
• Florence Nesser
• Tim Sneller
• Julie Simon
• Jennifer Trovillion
• Doug Weiland
• Joe Wilson