A packed house at the Gasoline Alley Foundation was treated to "JOURNEY FROM ZANSKAR", a new film by Director Frederick Marx. The film, narrated by Richard Gere, inspired the audience as it follows two Tibetan Monks on their journey to protect the culture, language and religion of Zanskar, the last remaining original Tibetan Buddhist society with a lineage dating back thousands of years. Inaccessibility and isolation has protected Zanskar from cultural change, it is the last place in earth where the original Tibetan Buddhist way of life still exists. But that culture and way of life are dying. The Monks, prompted by the Dalai Lama, must select 17 children from Zanskar to be educated so their cultural heritage will not be lost. It begins with an almost impossible, death defying, ten-day trek to a school on the other side of the snow covered Himalayas.

"Gasoline Alley was blessed to show this film. The filmmaker's mission of 'bearing witness and creating change' is in direct alignment with that of the Foundation, said Rob Thomas Executive Director of the Gasoline Alley Foundation. "The Tibetan culture is in danger of being abandoned. At Gasoline Alley, we take abandoned things, people, ideas and solutions and we give them a place to thrive," said Thomas.

Using business as a tool for social change, The Gasoline Alley Foundation has been blending practical business opportunities with community development as a way to empower and change the world for the better. Through job creation, unique opportunities, a focus on social responsibility and sustainability, the Gasoline Alley Foundation mentors and assists entrepreneurs in the Springfield area. Since its inception in 1990, they have created over 170 jobs and incubated over 40 companies.

Held as a fundraiser to help Marx complete the film and support the children's education, attendees of the screening bid on auction items provided by Dharma Boutique. www.dharmaboutique.com.

To learn more about Marx's film and to make a contribution visit http://www.warriorproductions.tv/JourneyFromZanskarProjectPg.asp and http://www.warriorproductions.tv/DonatePage.asp For more information on The Gasoline Alley Foundation and to see a list of upcoming events, visit www.gasolinealleyfoundation.org

Gasoline Alley Foundation, The

Gasoline Alley Foundation, The

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