Thank you for your gift to the 2004 JHM United Way Campaign

January 19, 2005

Dear Colleagues,

The tsunami crisis in South Asia, as well as the recent mudslides in our own country, serves to remind us just how much we depend on each other in times of need. We have all heard the stories of disaster and devastation. But thankfully, these stories are often accompanied by similarly compelling stories of rescue and heroism. We would like to thank you for your gift to the Johns Hopkins Medicine United Way Campaign 2004. Your contribution will provide help to people living stories of disaster, hardship, and need right here in your communities.

Thanks to your generosity, this year’s campaign was exceptionally successful. Every dollar helped and every contribution mattered towards our very ambitious financial goals. United Way of Central Maryland uses these funds to effectively and efficiently fill a void – a void that is less about money than it is about being able to serve people when they are at their most vulnerable. Thanks to you ---

YWCA of Greater Baltimore will continue to rely on United Way funds to keep open the Baltimore City shelter (63 beds for women and children), the Baltimore County shelter (24 beds for women and children) and the Convalescent care program (10 beds for medically fragile homeless women). These programs serve over 1,000 people each year.

The House of Ruth will maintain 1/3 of its 85 shelter beds, and further extend its extensive waiting list of battered women and their children.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters will provide 200 children the benefit of having a “big brother” or “big sister” as a positive role model and friend that they can count on. Supportive and caring volunteers are present at hundreds of school plays, science fairs, and graduation ceremonies. Many children have the opportunity to have another significant adult in their lives to review their report card or be sure that their homework is completed.

We could share with you a hundred more examples, literally, because when you said yes to United Way of Central Maryland, you said yes to over 100 health and human service agencies that United Way holds accountable for results. Our community will be a much better place because of your generosity and support.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is proud to have so many of our employees participate, making our organization one of the top contributors to the annual community campaign. And personally, we have learned and gained so much from the experience of working with United Way and witnessing the caring power of the Johns Hopkins Medicine community. We are grateful to each and everyone of you who said yes to the United Way. It means so much.

Martin D. Abeloff, M.D	Patricia M.C. Brown, Esq.
Chairman	Vice Chairman
2004 JHM United Way Campaign	2004 JHM United Way Campaign

PS: For information on how you can help the victims of the South Asia Tsunami Disaster through United Way, please visit www.uwcm.org