COME CELEBRATE WORLD AIDS DAY WITH US!
Hi and it is with an amazing amount of gratitude and pride that I congratulate you on completing the 7th Harbor to the Bay ride. Whether you were a rider, a donor, a sponsor, or a member of the road crew, you gave of yourself and your resources to support a community that desperately needs to know that you care. The epidemic of HIV/AIDS has yet to be stemmed. But we refuse to surrender our belief that this event and others like it let our community, and the world at large, know that we will not give up until a cure is found.
We weren’t sure how the Ride would fare this year. The world is in the clutches of the worse economic crisis since the Depression. Words like “layoff, foreclosure, and bankruptcy” have found their way into our daily vocabulary. And yet, even the hardest times offer unique gifts and opportunities that cannot be properly appreciated in the midst of wealth. Unencumbered by excess, no longer distracted by frivolous diversions, it’s easier to focus on what really matters and give of those values that no money can buy – compassion, empathy, dignity, and justice.
…which is the wealth you have distributed with us this year. In whatever manner you showed up, you let our brothers and sisters with HIV/AIDS know that they can count on you. There may be sharp corners ahead as they heal in body and world recovers financially, but as long as we have each other, we will hold tight to that which is precious, and vulnerable and must be protected. We will not allow dream spoilers or naysayers, or cynics dissuade us from believing that everything’s going to be alright, once we get around the bend. But until that corner is cleared, we are here for each other, holding tight.
I believe. And because you were all there on September 12th, I know you do too.
Please remember we are still accepting donations through Friday November 20, 2009. The need has never been greater.
We also look forward to seeing you at Club Café on World AIDS Day, Tuesday December 1, 2009 when we recognize the amazing contributions you made to this year’s event and present all of your hard earned money to our wonderful beneficiaries.
Thank you
Jim Morgrage
President, Harbor to the Bay, Inc.