[HeartStrongList] Accident Halts Spring Outreach Trip

[marcadams at heartstrong.org]

Dear HeartStrong Friends
	Well, our Spring Outreach Trip ended with a bang, literally.  We were
wrapping up our trip when we were hit twice by the same car while we were
stopped at an intersection near Miami.
	Fortunately, the injury was to the HeartStrong Scion xb.  We were both
shaken and a little dazed but okay.
	The Scion xb was fairly heavily damaged on the driver’s side.  We were
unable to open either the driver’s door or the passenger door on the
driver’s side.  The entire left hand side of the vehicle will have to be
replaced.
	Had Rod not stepped on the gas as soon as he saw the other vehicle
approaching, it would have been a direct hit and with much worse
consequences.
	Without transportation, our outreach efforts for our Spring outreach trip
came to a screeching halt.  Fortunately all of our educational forums had
already been completed.
	We are now back in Seattle.  While sometimes coming home after a long
outreach trip seems a little like going on vacation, it is far from it.  
We are knee deep in planning for our Fall/Winter Outreach Trip.
	We are very excited to plan this particular trip as it will be the 20th
for the HeartStrong Outreach Team!
	HeartStrong first launched its outreach trips in January of 1998.  It’s
hard to believe that this fall/winter is trip number 20.
	Our 20th outreach/educational trip will begin in California in mid
August.  California is still the state with the most religious schools so
we will be spending nearly five weeks in California.
	According the the State of California the majority of religious schools
and the highest attended religious schools are in San Francisco County. 
We will be canvassing a large amount of the state when we are there.
	We will also be doing one educational forum in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Las
Vegas is replete with religious schools and has a little known heavy
Mormon population and influence.
	The second part of our 20th outreach/educational trip will begin in mid
October in Chicago.  We will be working in IL, WI, IA, MO, PA, NJ, and
NY.
	We are still adding educational forums for this trip.  If you are
involved with a group and are interested in hosting a HeartStrong
Educational forum for your community, please contact me at
marcadams at heartstrong.org
	We are only about $1000.00 short of covering all of our expenses from our
spring outreach trip.  We are now in the process of gathering those funds
as well as the $10,000.00 needed for our four month 20th
Outreach/Educational trip.
	Your help is greatly appreciated as we prepare to embark on this historic
trip.
	$10,000.00 is quite a bit of money to HeartStrong as we operate on a shoe
string budget.  Remember, HeartStrong is an all volunteer organization.  
93.3% of every dollar donated goes directly to program services to reach
more students.
	Your gifts are tax deductible.
	If you are not already a monthly donor to HeartStrong, I would encourage
you to think about what it is you can do to help HeartStrong.  If you are
already a monthly donor, we appreciate your ongoing support.
	Whether you want to become a one time donor or you would like to make a
monthly pledge, you may do both by using the form on the reverse side of
this letter.  You may also make you donation online at
http://www.heartstrong.org.
	If you want to talk about your gift, please feel free to contact me via
email or at 206-388-3894.
	Thank you for your support of this important work.  We are saving and
changing lives because of your support!

Marc Adams
Founder and Volunteer Executive Director