NOVEMBER 19, 2008

Dear Friends,

He cocked his head to the left, anchored his gaze and gently looked me in the eye. Without a word he communicated his hidden hope that I might have been kicking him a hunk of bread. Instead, I had kicked a stone from road's edge as I began my morning run.

This is the cocky crow that joins me nearly every day. He is, I think, a wise old seer, the keeper of the neighborhood's news, the determiner of which bird may and which may not take part in scrap feasts left by park visitors or returning commercial fishermen.

 Sorry, friend,  said I.  It's only a stone.  Then I remembered the ancient text that inquires:  Which of you, when your child asks for bread, would instead offer him a stone?  I wished then that I carried bread in my pockets.

Now, remembering that early morning, I'm thinking of those of you who so faithfully carry the concern of REACH in your habits of giving and in your pockets of prayer; those of you who have and will be offering that which is needed for us to continue serving suffering children, their families and the communities where they live.

Because of your generous support we are able to meet the needs of the children and families of REACH year-round with mentoring, psychosocial education and Progressive Unit events, camp, fellowship, respite and hope. Because of you, when our children turn our way and seek sustenance, we are able to provide.

Your Servant,

Susan K. Slonaker

As we strive to meet our year-end fundraising goals, will you please consider an end-of-year gift to REACH? We gratefully accept your donations through the United Way, matching gifts at your workplace, the Combined Funds Drive, REACH charity code #1478845 and online.