OCTOBER 9, 2008

Dear Friends,

The only way of discovering the limits of the possible
Is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
Arthur C. Clarke’s number 2 of Three Laws

When I first saw eight-year-old Daniel, I was drawn to him as he was attempting to crawl across a field to the cafeteria for lunch. With a sudden rush of compassion I fell down on my knees in front of him. Daniel allowed me gaze deep into his ice blue eyes and immediately I saw his pain and loneliness, his great desire to be accepted and loved. I wanted to scream "Shields Up!" as they do to raise force fields in Star Trek episodes, hoping to protect the starship Enterprise against enemy fire. I wanted a shield around Daniel to protect him from the damaging blows of life. I longed to protect him from harm. "Shields Up!" went my silent scream to God.

I crawled with him on the thick, wet grass and when I indicated that I could bear it no longer,

He nodded, granting me permission to carry him over the last twenty feet. Finally, I placed him at a table where his counselor waited with the person who was soon to become his trusted mentor. Within seconds of this introduction, I knew Daniel was a gift to us, a new and precious member of the REACH family.

Shortly after this first meeting, I learned from his physician and health care providers that he was often neglected, hungry and exhausted. He spent many nights with his sisters sleeping on the floor; was rarely in school and more often shifted from one foster care home to another. Daniel needed HIV/AIDS drugs and medical care to support his broken body. He desperately needed a sense of belonging, someone to trust, to love and to receive love.

Two years have gone by now and his broad smile, flashing blues eyes and infectious laugh thoroughly oppose his crooked, spindly frame. He is no longer subject to crawling but is strong and upright, supported by crutches. Now independent and self confident, he lumbers his way through each REACH year and participates in a variety of activities. I will always remember when I first saw Daniel and I rejoice in being able to tell you what a difference love has made to one lonely boy; what a difference REACH can make in the lives of suffering children when we venture into the impossible.

Your Servant,

Susan K. Slonaker

REACH is privileged to meet the needs of the children in a variety of ways. You are invited to be a part of REACH through our year-end fundraising efforts. Will you help us meet our goal of $56,000 with a gift in addition to your monthly giving? 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.