Now it’s
back to reality and I’ve got my eye on a new project. I’m hoping that you, my friends and colleagues,
might be interested in it too. Below is a letter I’m emailing out to some associates over the next few days. Read on and if you could take some action
yourself, I’d be so appreciative.
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It’s difficult
for me to imagine what it must be like to be a Chicago Public School student or
parent who lives in a neighborhood known for violence. Fear while walking to or
from school and grave safety concerns while playing in a local park are issues
I don’t have to dwell on. But if you’re like me, when you watch
heart-wrenching, violent stories impacting Chicago children on the evening news
you may wonder what you could do to help.
I’m now
presenting you with that opportunity.
StudentsXpress is a quarterly newsmagazine that
gives children from all types of Chicago neighborhoods a peaceful, creative and
inspiring venue to express themselves through art and writing. The magazine has run five successful issues
over the last two years but is in need of funding to continue its expansion
efforts.
Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens recently covered this venture and
the caring woman who started StudentsXpress, Rachel Switall. The story touched me greatly and I knew I had
to jump in with both feet to help.
StudentsXpress expanded to a print
run of 40,000 for its last issue-- enriching more children’s lives than ever
before. But right now, the publication does not have a sponsor for its Spring issue
and the deadline is fast approaching. Without enough funding, they may need to reduce instead of
expand their print run. $4,500 is
what it will take for Rachel to print the Spring run at 40,000 issues.
Could your company help with by
underwriting the Spring issue or making a donation? Could you personally donate to this outstanding effort?
Here are just a few of the benefits StudentsXpress brings to
Chicago Public School children:
•
Promotes Creativity & Literacy
•
Serves as an enrichment program for children in underserved communities
•
Provides a means for students to express themselves productively
•
Builds self-esteem: when children see their work, their NAME in print, they
gain confidence in their abilities
•
Highlights positive role models: when students read about positive things going
on in the city, they see what is possible for them
•
Expands students’ world beyond their neighborhood: allows children to see how
others in different neighborhoods feel about the same topic
•
Opens up discussions: reading others’ opinions allows students to think of
things in a way they may not have considered
•
Builds critical thinking: as they write and draw about a particular topic and
as they read what others write about that same topic
•
Crosses economic and racial borders: children can freely express themselves and
read about others who might feel the same way, while at the same time
celebrating their differences in a productive, educational way
• Each issue serves as a way
to support our children and offer them hope for the future
Thank you for your consideration and here’s a
link to all the advertising and sponsorship details.
Please
contact me with any questions!
