I know, I know, it's a bad time of year to be asking for donations. A temporary moment of insanity caused me to sign up for a 5k race in Northampton called the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage. I have since come to my senses (I hate running) but will be running this race anyway, and might as well give the whole experience my all.
That being said, unfortunately, "giving my all" means begging you lovely friends, family and teammates for money. Safe Passage is an organization that provides support to victims of domestic violence. In my 12 years as a teacher, I have seen firsthand how domestic violence affects kids on a daily basis, and to be perfectly frank, it sucks. Sure, it sucks trying to teach them, but it sucks more to know that they are a product of their environment, and that some of their safest/least stressful times are in school. And it really sucks knowing that there isn't much we as teachers can do. That's where Safe Passage comes in. Further down on this donation page, you can see what the donations are used for... something as simple as diapers, or more involved like counseling. Any little bit helps...it 9 of you on this list donate 5 bucks, a woman seeking help for the first time gets an hour of counseling.
And a summary of this email:
1. I hate running
2. I'm running a 5k on Sunday
3. Domestic violence sucks
4. You can help me help people by donating
5. I'm starting to sound like Sally Struthers (for just a cup of coffee you can help a starving child)
7. I have now brightened your day with this pathetic email, and that has to be worth a 5 spot!
Thanks guys, and have a great holiday if I don't see you!
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$20: Emergency funds for a woman to purchase groceries or diapers
$45: A one-hour counseling session for a woman seeking help for the first time
$80: One weekly drop-in group session for survivors of domestic violence
$100: An hour of ASL interpreting for a deaf survivor's counseling session
$135: Three sessions for children who have witnessed domestic violence
$500: A month of on-call advocacy for victims of domestic violence police calls
All contributions are tax-deductible, and you’ll receive an emailed receipt immediately after you donate.