January 24, 2011

Dear Supporters,

I hope this finds that everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  We have really hit the ground running with new programs that I am really excited to tell you about.

After two years of work, we are finally in the New Hanover Elementary School System.  Starting on January 10th, we started programming in the form of a pilot program at Rachel Freeman Elementary and Wrightsville Beach Elementary Schools.  In these programs we are reaching approximately 250 additional young people.  This almost doubles the amount of children we have touched over the past 2 years.  These programs are held in the morning hours so they do not interfere with the after-school programs that we continue to operate.   Hopefully due to the success of these programs, will be able to develop more programs in more Elementary Schools next year.

On Mondays, we are back at the Brigade Boys and Girls Club, Tuesday we are at Men and Women United for Youth in Columbus County, Wednesday is the day for community Boys and Girls Club, Thursday is Girls, Inc. and Martin Luther King Center, and Friday is Dolfin After School Enrichment Program in Hampstead.  Saturday and Sunday we do special programming for young people that are not associated with any of the above or want to get even more involved in golf.  In total, we are working with about 400 children every week during the school year.  Whew!!

Please remember that we could NOT do this if it were not for your generous contributions.  God Bless you all.

We also have some great news in regards to our organization.  We have added several new members to our Board of Directors:

• Mr. Mike Wilkinson from PPD
• Mr. Jonathon O’Donnell from Carrabbas
• Mrs. Jennifer Thurston and Mrs. Shameena Broach from First Federal
• Mr. Fred Kumple from Stricklands Window Coverings
• Mrs. Sheen Perkins and Jamie Cowgill from Edward Jones Investments

This is a real power group and I am so happy and proud that they are going to help lead us into the future.

When I started this program two years ago, This is what I envisioned.  This is just the first step.  My ultimate goal is to build a teaching center that any child can come to for free if they are willing to do the work and learn.  And, I do mean learn.  Education and academics is the backbone of what we teach and will always be the strength of our program.  The final goal of my dream is to develop a scholarship program that any child that is a part of our program will be eligible to receive.  For the first time, I am truly positive that these goals are no longer rhetoric, but can be a reality.

We are having three basic fundraisers this year, our Second Annual Luncheon on March 7th at Carrabba’s, Our Fall Luncheon at Bonefish Grill and our Golf Tournament in November.  Please consider attending any or all of these events to support our program.  The luncheons are great for ringing business customers.  Especially if you are trying to impress and close that deal or as a thank you for their business.  Tickets are available by contacting me or any of our Board Members.

As you can see, we are reaching very high.  So, in addition to the above events please look into your budget for this year and consider a donation.  You can print a donation form here and please write that donation to support our programming today.

Thank you again for your past support, and Bless you for your future contributions. Again, without you, we could not provide these great young people with this valuable program.

Sincerely,

Jake