Fundraising Fun!

** UPDATE 3/26/09 -- The button has been removed because once I depart the fundraising portal is closed. Please email me directly if you would still like to contribute. A big MASSIVE THANK YOU to all my sponsors. I wouldn't be able to do this without you. Thank you thank you thank you! I hope that this blog gives you a peak at what you money is helping to do in Tanzania!**

You may have noticed a new button on my blog! Its big and purple and over there on the left. That button is a link where you can help sponsor my volunteer work. I am trying recruit a few generous souls to help sponsor the good works that I will be doing in Tanzania. Last night I sent the following email to a long list of friends: 

Friends,

For years it has been a dream of mine to volunteer in Africa. I have found a fantastic non-profit volunteer organization to help me realize this goal and I leave on March 27th for Moshi, Tanzania. Through Cross-Cultural Solutions, I will be working towards woman's empowerment, community development and HIV/AIDS prevention in the area. CCS's mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. I am thrilled to be able to help local social service pioneers achieve their goals and missions by assisting women establish sustainable businesses and contributing to the community awareness of HIV/AIDS.

All Cross-Cultural Solutions programs are run solely by volunteer contributions and fundraising, and therefore each program has a fee. The fee for this six week program is $3984, which covers my placement as well as my housing and meals needs while I am there.

I hope you will consider sponsoring me in this endeavor. Every dollar you donate helps to fund my volunteer work in this very needy community. Perhaps you will consider donating $1 for each day of my program. That is just $42. I know that might seem like alot in this tough economy, but the economic crisis is worldwide and this already impoverished community is feeling the crunch too. Your contribution is 100% U.S. tax-deductible. The easiest way to donate is the visit the CCS Website and enter my email address.

Should you have any questions about the volunteer program or how to donate, please email or call Cross-Cultural Solutions at 1-800-380-4777. Your support is greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you - feel free to check out my blog: kastark.blogspot.com.

Thank you in advance.

Best Wishes,
Kate

I have to tell you, it was late when I finished my letter and and pasted it into the email window. It wasn't until this morning that I discovered that instead of BCC I managed to CC everyone on the email list. What an idiot! I feel like such a jerk. I hope no one is too annoyed or put off by that. Just know, if you got that email and are reading this now, my intention was to protect your identity. I'm sorry! In any case, that pretty purple button over there is just one more way that you can easily donate to support my program in Tanzania.

Hope you are all having a great day!

UPDATE: My left arm is still KILLING ME - it was hard to sleep on my left side last night. Who knew that shots could be so long-lastingly painful?