5/8/2001: I want to thank everyone who ...Sent Via the Internet All of this is to say that I feel I should offer to refund any money sent on the basis of my (then-but-no-longer) emergency situation. I've tried to be sure that I have written first to all those who told me they were sending something, but I'm sure I missed a few. And then there are those who just sent a check without telling me. I know that times are tight for most of us, so I'd be more than happy return or destroy your check when it arrives. Just let me know. Either way, I appreciate tremendously your offer of help in my time of need. Whether it was money, advice, private prayers, or simply encouragement, You are a hero to me. Thank you. Of course, funds *always* seem short around here, both for program and personal needs. CUADP is the primary national organizing entity for the next two anticipated major abolitionist events: "Circus McVeigh" and "Starvin' for Justice," the Abolitionist Action Committee's Eighth Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty at the US Supreme Court - this year marking the 25th anniversary of the Gregg V. Georgia decision. For details on these events, visit <http://www.cuadp.org/> and click on the appropriate icon. If you sent a check already, I thank you, and I hope you will consider donating the money anyway, either for program or for a future medical needs fund that I am setting up. If you were unable to help or did not get the message, please consider
making a contribution at this time. You can designate funds for "future
medical needs," or for either of the above events - just indicate same
in the memo line, and be sure to tell me if you DO NOT wish to be acknowledged
publicly on the sponsor lists if you designate your gift to a specific
event. Be it $5, $5,000 or more, or less, or in between, every bit makes a
difference. ;-) Backing up: In 1994, when I went to work for the family of Cesar E. Chavez at the headquarters of the United Farm Workers in Keene, California, I learned what I call the "Farmworker model" of running an organization. Provide for people their needs and the tools to do their job, and that frees them to volunteer full time. The Chavez Foundation gave me a place to sleep, all I could eat, the tools to do any job required, and they made payments on my bills. I was free to work for them without worrying about personal needs. I learned a lot about making things happen with little or no resources. I learned how to let others buy meals, and how, when you have a cause people believe in, those who can't work on it full time will often help those can and do work full time. It worked well for a young, healthy volunteer, so when I left the farm workers to start CUADP, I used the farm worker model. I have not had a paycheck since December of 1996. I also don't have any type of health insurance. CUADP, with the generous assistance of about 100 regular donors, buys food, helps pay the bills at the home of my very generous and loving Partner, Carolyn, and most important, allows me the freedom to help keep us on the road to abolition. I must admit, however, that there are times when the farmworker model doesn't work. When people got sick, they went to the local clinic. I've done that a few times, and today, I am in the process of calling every clinic and dental school in the south Florida area - as far away as 100 miles. But it looks like I've either got to pull my tooth ($150), or come up with about $800 for a root canal, and another $800 for a crown. If you have read this far, I thank you. If you can help me with a contribution or a loan to CUADP via the promise of an immediate check or a credit card number over the phone, I will be in your debt. And I'll be able to get back to the work at hand. I have two appointments set up - one for today at 4pm, and one for tomorrow at 4pm. I hope to be able to keep one of them. I ask for your help. Yours in the Struggle, Click Here to make a contribution to CUADP |