AUGUST 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

They said to one another, "Behold, here cometh the dreamer."

I'm dream-flying, looking down over REACH Camp where I see 350 children and family members affected by HIV/AIDS lovingly, cooperatively, knowingly risking relationships among themselves and with 160 volunteers. I can tell that they are having a great time, participating in art therapy, drama, the talent show, field games, climbing walls, the Do-and-Dare Zip line, worshiping, grieving, and this year for the first time, swimming in specially-approved salt water swimming pools.

My dream lifts me from the families, sends me sailing past the waning moon and into the brilliance of a morning sun. I am on the other side of our shrinking world; I am learning how REACH affects more and more people; how we find ourselves more than ever, a part of the global community.

As I glide on the winds of the world, I slip down to see a diversity of faces in the family of REACH: children from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Ethiopia, Guam, New York, Minnesota, Hawaii, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest states, children of the rich and poor brought to REACH by a common need, by their struggle to live well. REACH stretches its arms out to them all, demonstrating a commitment to stand with the compassion of Christ between religious and secular, liberal and conservative communities. Garbed in love and blind to prejudices, REACH extends desperately needed social justice–love in action.

Sadly the latest statistics in the U.S. show an unexpected 50% increase in cases of HIV, and although national abortion rates are decreasing significantly, adolescent pregnancies and STDs have increased. We need your financial gifts more than ever to continue to make a difference throughout the year with education and mentoring, as well as physical, emotional and spiritual support. Please keep the dream alive.

Love,

Susan K. Slonaker

P.S. As long as there are children who are in need, I lay down my life for them and ask with boldness please help Camp happen this year! We need you with us!

A majority of our children at risk and their families live in poverty. Please help the children with a gift of $25, $50, $100 or more. Give online, through the United Way, at your workplace with matching funds and with the Combined Funds Drive www.cfd.wa.gov/ REACH's charity code is #1478845.