Charity Drive for Cancer Research

Dave asked a question that deserves remembering: community service, anyone?

Now, although AAFSA is not primarily a service organization, we have mentioned at past meetings the desire to do something for our community in the name of goodwill. In the interests of timeliness, and because I think we all agree that this cause merits serious attention, I want the group to consider supporting the ACS -- the American Cancer Society. Specifically, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and there is a local "Making Strides" walk to raise money for breast cancer research.

On Saturday, October 14th, my wife Amber will be walking 5K in remembrance of her childhood friend Amanda Hamilton who tragically lost her fight with breast cancer this July at the heartbreakingly-young age of 24. Amber will be walking in this team held at Gainesville's NE park (400 NE 16th Ave).

Now, here is what I would like to do:

1) I am asking everyone to bring something (at least $5) to the next meeting in an un-sealed envelope, preferably checks or money orders, but cash is okay too. Make checks and money orders payable to -- The American Cancer Society. Write the amount on the outside of your envelope if it is cash. At the end of the meeting, we will carefully pool the money and count it openly, then record the total amount that was given.

I will be discreet in attempting not to let anyone see the person's name on the check, and you need not write your name on your envelope. I will be as careful as possible in keeping the amounts given by all persons private, while at the same time conducting a transparent and public count of the monies to ensure accountability, and give you confidence towards your effort.

2) Pass on the word to others, and even collect donations from them yourself (again, preferably check or money order, but cash is okay). You can also pass along the link to this post: LINK. That way, the people you pass it on to can read through these options and choose to give using the information I have provided below.

3) If you choose to do so, join up with this walk. It begins at 9 AM on 10/14/2006. The information to do so is HERE.

I will take this amount and give it to the team leader of Amber's walking group, Carla Hill - Carla.Hill@cancer.org. It will be given in the name of AAFSA, and will show up on the website HERE. The amount we count at the meeting will, in this way, be checked by the amount that is received from the donor "AAFSA" and is visible via the website. And of course, you could contact her with any questions.

For those of you who wish to give via the internet, you may give with the credit going to Amber's group HERE, or you may give generally (Amber's team won't get credit for raising the amount) HERE or HERE if you prefer.

If you are part of AAFSA, I please ask you to denote our group name somewhere in the contributor field. The reason is simple: I want people to see that atheists (agnostics, &c.) care about other human beings, and that we are charitable -- the larger the amount we raise, the more powerful a statement we make. At the end of the walk, I will proudly tally and report our fundraising efforts on this site.

Please take action now, spread the word, don't procrastinate, and remember to bring your donation to the next meeting!

Thank you so much!