2020 ANNUAL REPORT FOR
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PRO VITA ORPHANAGE, INC.
(AFPVO)

MISSION: To augment the operations and maintenance efforts of Romanian contributors by creating new capabilities via physical infrastructure improvements – concentrating on “bricks and mortar” and items directly related to proper performance of the physical infrastructure.
AFPVO BOARD ROLE: Make strategic and tactical decisions at periodic Board meetings. Engage in multiple fund-raising activities by email and newsletters and personal liaison with local Romanian Orthodox churches. Manage and account for financial contributions from U.S.A. and foreign contributors via cash, personal checks, PayPal, and GoFundMe. Send tax exemption letters to contributors. Provide funds to Pro Vita for specific projects. Oversee project progress and completion. Maintain and update the www.provitacharity.org website. Publish periodic Newsletters. Add to the Photo Gallery as pictures become available. Visit Romania as needed to manage AFPVO-funded projects. Collaborate with the St. Stephens and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia, on their sophomore year visits to Pro Vita each Spring.

Since the current President and Treasurer of AFPVO first visited rural Valea Screzii, Romania, in 2012, great progress has been occurring in every aspect of the orphanage operations. As AFPVO is the largest financial supporter of Pro Vita outside Romania, we are proud to have helped them succeed as the ultimate safety net for 450+ residents.
Today, Pro Vita provides nutritious meals in a modern dining facility seating over 100, occupies 13 modern and modernized houses with clean water and electric power for both children and adults, offers medical care from staff and volunteers, employs an onsite security staff at Valea Screzii, has planted an orchard, and has created a library with a computer classroom. The rehabilitation of the 1910 police station in Valenii de Munte into an Administrative Center has been completed and it serves both its planned purposes and as an emergency shelter during the current COVID-19 crisis. The property will eventually house the small factories envisioned as the “Economic Trampoline.” The project has been challenged by difficulty finding both skilled construction workers and people to be mentors in areas such as sewing and small machine parts manufacturing.
Over these 8 years, Pro Vita residents have graduated from high school, entered college, started jobs in various industries, and even immigrated to the U.S. These accomplishments are tremendous improvements over what was happening in 2012, and a significant part of the credit goes to the generous donors supporting AFPVO.
We know donors have choices when it comes to charitable giving. Two of our core beliefs are respect for accountability and efficiency. But our driving purpose is to have the donations make a difference in the lives of the current residents and future adult citizens. We closely monitor every project through onsite visits and electronic communication to ensure each dollar is used wisely and raises the actual capability of Pro Vita to prepare residents for a productive future.
AFPVO started 2020 with $26,532 in the bank. During the year 27 people, including 7 new donors, and 2 churches contributed a total of $18,695. We are particularly grateful to 7 individual contributors and 1 church for their multiple donations!
AFPVO Board members contributed $5,100 in 2020 and we spent $1,452 of that amount on expenses such as software licenses, stamps, wire transfer fees, and website maintenance.
Most importantly, we disbursed to Pro Vita $10,000 to pay for replacement of the commercial stove in Valea Screzii, removal of dilapidated structures, clearing land, building materials, and other costs related to construction of the new enterprise buildings adjacent to the Administrative Center once work starts back up as Romania recovers from the pandemic.
Mihail and Melanie Tanase, the management team at Pro Vita, have used the pandemic hiatus to solicit and stockpile construction materials in preparation for renewed activity in 2021. AFPVO closed the year with $37,273 in the bank. We plan to transfer the needed funds to Pro Vita when the appropriate time for their effective use is reached.
We welcome your feedback on every aspect of our work and encourage you to share your commitment to Pro Vita with family and friends. We ask for your help in expanding the AFPVO community and reaching a wider group of potential donors.
Sincerely,
Fr. Sean Cavanaugh, Chairman of the Board
Donna C. Shelton, President
Frank E. Doe, Jr., Treasurer and Secretary