Hello Friends & Family,
Do you live a life with
passion? Do you live a life with compassion? What is the difference anyway?
“Passion” means to have compelling emotion or devotion, while “compassion”
means to be merciful. In other words, you could say that to live a life of
passion a person should show devotion to others by having
mercy or compassion to others in need.
It is with these words that I
humbly approach you and/or your company for support.
This June, I will embark on a
journey of human strength and determination. My eyes are set on finishing the “Ultimate
Human Race” also known as the Comrades Marathon. This year’s grueling 89.5km
event is particularly difficult because it is an “up” year, meaning the race is
run uphill from Durban (sea level) to Pietermaritzburg (atop the South African
plateau). I will be running this race in
support of The Compassionate Life Foundation (www.james127.org) and its “Feed a Family” project.
I have been working as
Secretary of The Compassionate Life Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charity,
for nearly 6 years. It is the sole reason for my existence in Cape Town, South
Africa and ultimately my work at e.TV and eNCA as Chief Meteorologist (a long
story for another day).
CLF’s mission statement is as
follows:
Compassionate Life is a non-denominational Foundation
seeking to be God’s hands and feet showing love and compassion to the poor and
needy people of the world. Partnering with those whom God directs us to who are
already on the front lines fighting the war on poverty, disease, and spiritual
emptiness, with a special focus on caring for Orphans and Widows.
My work within CLF is done with
passion and compassion, but the longstanding
benefits to the poor and needy far outweigh any personal gain I have ever
received. I’ve seen purpose and direction restored to the vulnerable people of both
Swaziland and South Africa through the direct work of this foundation. Won’t
you consider partnering with me to help extend CLF’s potential?
If your located within South Africa, here’s how to make your donation (accepted
directly through www.james127.org using PayPal or by
sending check/cash to):
ATTN: Derek Van Dam
e.TV Longkloof Studios,
1 Darters Rd. Gardens,
Cape Town, South Africa.
If your located within the USA (or elsewhere), here’s how to make your tax-deductible
donation (accepted directly through www.james127.org using PayPal or by sending check/cash to):
Compassionate Life Foundation
P.O. Box 510
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
USA
Please
make checks payable to “The Compassionate Life Foundation”:
1)
Donate per
successful km run during Comrades Marathon ($1 USD/10 ZAR per km)
2)
A once off
donation of your choice
100% of your donations will be used in the following way:
1)
‘Feed a Family’ Maize Planting – CLF is committed to plowing and planting Maize
Fields for El Shaddai Children’s Home and the 50 vulnerable families’ we serve
in Swaziland and South Africa.
2)
‘Feed a Family’ Food Fund - Feed a family by providing food packages consisting
of fruit, vegetables, rice, beans, soup, salt, sugar, oil, and soap. Food will
be delivered to families’ homes as the need arises throughout the year!
As race day draws nearer (2
June, 2013), my nerves continue to build; but it is the faces of the world’s
vulnerable children that motivate me to complete this goal. Thank you for
considering supporting this unique adventure.
Monetary donations in exchange for corporate advertising will be
considered on a case by case basis.
Sincerely,
Derek Van Dam
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love to hear from you. Please leave a message if you get the chance.