May 14th, 2007

Dear Friend,

Hello, my name is Connie Sargent and I am the volunteer coordinator for the Children, Incorporated program in Wolfe County, KY. I am contacting you today not for financial help, but for the emotional support of one child who is in our program.

John is a very bright, energetic child in the 6th grade, born with Spina Bifida and several allergies to everyday things. Because he was born to a very loving and devoted family these "stumbling blocks" have never really stopped him from pursuing the things he loves - sports, basketball in particular.

One week ago John's mother came to school, as she did every day to attend to one of his basic medical needs. John and his personal assistant came to greet her. They were very excited because the class had been discussing career dreams that day. John's mother asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said "I want to be an Athletic Director." His mother had these few words of encouragement: "John you can be whatever you want to be and don't let anyone ever tell you differently."

John went back to class and his mother went on home. Within 2 hours John's 32 year old mother died of a massive heart attack which has understandably left the family devastated. I am sure that over time the family will figure out how to go on.

Now, here is my request. If you have a connection to sports, John would be very excited to receive a letter from you, especially on your team or school stationary. I would ask that you or your assistant write John a short letter telling him that you understand his interest and let him know a little bit about what you do and what it took for you to arrive at the position you are now in; and of course encourage him to follow his dreams. This would provide him with some much needed distraction from the sorrow that will follow in the months to come and hopefully replace just some of the encouragement that he received daily from his mother.

There is nothing any of us can do to replace the love and devotion John's mother gave to him. But, we can encourage him to not give up on the dreams that he and his mother had for him. Please feel free to forward this on to others whom you think can help.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Connie Sargent
Volunteer Coordinator
Children, Incorporated

Please, if you can write just a short letter, please mail the letter to the address below or you can email a letter to the attention of

Liz Sauer at lsauer@children-inc.org

John H.
c/o Liz Sauer
Children, Incorporated
4205 Dover Road
Richmond, VA 23221

I've forwarded this to friends as I have no connections with sports or youth athletics, but many of my friends do. Blessings to this young man and thanks for your letter. I am very moved. I have a "gut feeling" that this young man will do well on achieving his dream. Many condolences to him in his loss!