Citizen Advocacy of Washington County

Investment 2009!

Dear Friend of Citizen Advocacy,

Knowing You Care Makes the Difference!
June 22, 2009

Last year I sent you a letter asking you to help us make a citizen advocacy match in Washington County. We were hoping to match Mark, a gentleman that had been on our working list for quite some time. Mark is a 46-year old man with cerebral palsy living in Washington County. He lives on his own but because of the progressive nature of his disability, is in more and more need every year of both physical and emotional assistance. He has no brothers or sisters who will support him and his father isn’t living. His mother is aged and in poor health. Mark was very anxious to find a friend who could help him do some of the physical things that he couldn't do for himself. Mark also likes to hunt and was looking for a hunting companion who shares his interest in the out-of-doors. Due to his cerebral palsy, Mark found it difficult to speak his words clearly. He needed to find a friend who could stand by him to help him be understood and make his life more fulfilling and happy.

We're happy to announce that we found a match for Mark; introducing Deb and Ed! (Download Mark's story CLICK HERE)

Ed lost his first wife (her name was also Debbie) several years ago. Then he met his “new” Debbie and life started again for Ed. Both he and Debbie belonged to a local church with which we have had contact in the past. We approached the church with our advocacy program late last year and they invited us in. That’s when Ed and Debbie stepped forward to become Mark’s advocates. They told their pastor and us that God had been so good to them and they just wanted to do something in gratitude for His blessings. When we told them about Mark they were excited to meet him and it wasn’t long before Mark had two new friends and a whole new congregation to boot. They recently helped Mark move into a new apartment as well.

Life is changing rapidly now for Mark because he no longer feels alone when he needs help or just someone to talk to. It’s been a long haul since Mark had been on our list for nearly four years. But, that’s what citizen advocacy is all about; finding the right advocate is the essential ingredient in making citizen advocacy work. Unfortunately, sometimes, it just takes a little longer to find the right match.

Ed and Deb are that match and we’re so grateful to all of your who stepped forward to make that possible.

Please consider an investment in Citizen Advocacy right now. Our working list is long and we’re striving to make as many matches as possible in 2009. Your generous, investment of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 can go a long way in helping us to meet the challenge we’re facing right now to keep this program strong.

CA needs a stable, dependable source of funds; money we can count on, month after month, through good times and bad. We need the resources to help us meet emergencies and continue our work on a broad range of advocacy issues -- without interruption. That’s why we continue to tell you about “Friends of CA.” And that’s why I’m turning to you again.

To become a member in this partnership, what I need from you today is a commitment to make a small, monthly gift to CA – as little as $10 per month. Any investment you make, whether monthly or not, would be greatly appreciated.

For further information, call 262-334-3384 or contact Mark Brunner:
Email: mbrunner@cawash.org

All gifts to Citizen Advocacy of Washington County are fully tax deductible!