by Karolyn Flynn
Four years ago, starting with our health-kit backpack drive, Cedars began its relationship with Hospital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti (HAS) This remarkable hospital and organization has been serving the Haitian people of the Deschapelles region for over fifty years with health care, infrastructure, and community services. Only 4 percent of its budget goes to administration. Nearly every penny this non-profit receives goes directly toward helping the Haitian people and training them to help themselves.
Last year, Cedars created a miracle when, between our two collections for HAS, one following the earthquake, one when Jon Walton, Board Chair of HAS came to speak to Cedars, we raised over $11,000 for HAS. Cedars is now considered a true partner by HAS. This month’s special collection is our opportunity to continue our relationship and commitment to it. We successfully raised that much money because many of us invited our friends to hear Jon Walton speak and those friends generously contributed to this cause. Cedars’ efforts grew because we spread the word.
One friend who came to hear Jon speak last year has anonymously put up $1,000 as a matching challenge to encourage Cedars’ to robustly give to HAS again this year. In addition, a family fund has offered up another $1,500 matching challenge. The miracle has begun again. We start our drive for HAS with the promise of $2,500 in matching funds if we can produce the same amount or more. We can do this, especially if we invite our friends and family to join us in this donation campaign.
Attached to this letter you will find a sample e-mail you can copy and forward to your friends and family to introduce them to HAS and to invite them to join us in our support of its outstanding work. Included in the e-mail is a link to HAS’ website so they can learn more about all its accomplishments. This donation campaign will remain open until October 10, which will give people time to send in donations to Cedars UU Church, P O Box 10175, Bainbridge Island, WA. 98110. Spread the word, spread Cedars’ commitment to service and to HAS.
We can create another miracle by sending HAS our generous donations and bring health care, agricultural training, clean water, housing, education, and support to some of the neediest people in the world. Be generous, be bold, be committed to service, believe in Cedars’ power to create a miracle.
Cedars’ Social Action Committee
Sample e-mail to send to friends and family:
Dear
I am writing to invite you to join me in supporting a non-profit organization I have come to believe in—Hospital Albert Schweitzer, Haiti (HAS). Please go their web-site www.hashaiti.org/ to learn more. For over fifty years this remarkable organization has been serving the people of the Deschapelles region in Haiti with health-care, educational, infrastructure, and community services. Not a penny is wasted in their efforts. Only 4 percent of their overhead goes to outside administration, all funds received are used directly to help the Haitian people and to help them learn to help themselves.Four years ago Cedars UU Church began a relationship with HAS that I, as a member, am eager to continue. Last year we were able to raise over $11,000 for HAS. Through the generosity of our Cedars congregation and with the help of friends and family like you, we hope to do it again.Please consider joining us in our commitment to serve some of the most needy people in our world.
You can send your donation to: Cedars UU Church, P. O. Box 10175, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Write your check to Cedars UU Church, in the memo line indicate: donation to HAS. We will be collecting donations until October 10. I hope yours will be among them.
Thanks for considering this.