Email: Doing something about poverty

[Catchawave]

Dear (supporter)

I have asked young people to step up to the plate and help Gulf Coast residents rebuild their homes and rebuild their lives. They've not only met my highest hopes--they've exceeded them. And now I need your help as well.

I traveled to ten colleges and universities across the country last fall to launch Opportunity Rocks, a new student-led effort to encourage young people to make the elimination of poverty the cause of their generation. I was amazed at how many people came to the events and signed up to work on anti-poverty efforts.

Recently, I asked college students across the country to join me for our first national effort - Opportunity Rocks 2006: Rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

The response was incredible. Hundreds of students from over 80 colleges and universities have volunteered to travel to Louisiana by plane, train and automobile to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, home by home, brick by brick. It is going to be hard work-- gutting damaged homes, removing debris, cleaning up the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina--but together we can make a real difference.

Here's how you can help.

Originally, we had anticipated that around 150 students would sign up to join me in Louisiana, but a far larger number of students from across the country have answered the call to help the residents of the Gulf Coast. Over 700 students have volunteered for this incredible effort. They feel the call to take part in something much larger than themselves. They are committed to helping the poorest families devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I know they will change lives when they go to the Gulf Coast. I also know that this is the best way to change the lives of the students themselves--and begin lifetime commitments to doing something about the poverty that exists in our country today.

The students are committed to getting there, but we need your help to cover the costs of everything else. If you can help them out, they can make a difference.

It costs $300 to provide meals, housing, supplies and local transportation for one student over four days of service. I hope you will consider a generous contribution to sponsor a student to help make this experience a reality for one more young person.

Click here to make a contribution

I recently visited New Orleans. Six months after the hurricane, some neighborhoods are inching back to normal. In other neighborhoods--the neighborhoods that were poor and neglected even before Katrina--recovery has not even started. Thousands of people are returning to the city to find their homes destroyed, their belongings gone, their savings drained, and their families and communities torn apart. We can help them in the most concrete way possible--with new homes and new hope.

America's young people aren't short on idealism. They aren't short on passion or talent. They are ready to step up and do the hardest work. But they need your help to channel their energy to make lasting change. Please take this unique opportunity to support their drive to serve others and help the poorest families struggling in Katrina's aftermath.

Click here to make a contribution

Thank you joining this historic cause.

Your friend,

John