Dear Friends of Friends Outside:
During a previous Thomas Fleming Rhodes Memorial Holiday Party, young Adam looked up at me and said, “This is the only fun thing my family has done this whole year.” This was not a surprising statement for me. Over the past 30 years I have gotten to know children with incarcerated parents and their families well. Their stories are too similar. And, too many are from impoverished families and live in crime-ridden communities.
Except for an occasional visit to a prison or jail (to keep family bonds strong), their families have limited social lives and cannot afford to participate in the parties that most of us take for granted during the December Holidays. Their children quietly suffer, feel different, and are ashamed of their circumstances.
Your support has enabled us to plan special parties for these children at the time of year that is the most difficult for them. One year a mother told me after the party that her child had thought he was the only one with an incarcerated parent. He then realized he was not alone and didn’t feel so different from the other kids!
Your support for the parties to be held in December will make a world of difference for these children. Won’t you say YES to assuring that they have a wonderful Holiday through your support as follows:
Sponsor: Your $5,000 or $1,000 gift will be the “frosting on the cake” for each party and will enable us to do so much for the families throughout the coming year.
Co-Sponsor: Your $500 gift will sponsor 10 families for the party and help us to provide services to them during the coming year.
Family Sponsor: Your $100 gift will sponsor 2 families for the party and help us to provide services to them during the coming year.
Supporter: Your $50 will be used where it is most needed to support the Holiday Party and to provide services to the families during the coming year.
Sincerely,
Mary Weaver
Executive Director
P.S. Won’t you please take a moment now to make your tax-deductible donation via PayPal or by sending your check to our offices at 261 E. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 217, Pasadena, CA, 91101? Your contribution will also be a present to yourself when you experience the great joy of what it means to help others who are less fortunate, the true meaning of this special time of year.