Example of a letter you can adapt and e-mail to your dear ones (click here to download as word file).

Dear Friends and Family,

Hope Walks Davis 2010 will be Sunday, October 17th, from 2-4 p.m. at Arroyo Park in Davis.  Kids and adults are welcome to participate.  All proceeds will go to the organization Sahaya International.  The money will directly benefit programs that help orphans and HIV-infected children in Southern India.  A lot of these children have lost one or both parents to HIV or AIDS.  Sahaya is an all-volunteer organization.  To learn more about Sahaya and see pictures of the children we help, go to http://www.sahaya.org

Many of the HIV-infected children who are part of Sahaya's programs are now receiving extra nutritional supplements thanks to money raised the last two years at HopeWalks.  As food prices have also increased a lot in India, this support is especially important for HIV-infected children who have higher nutritional needs than uninfected children.  In addition, the anti-HIV medications that most of them are now receiving are more effective (and there's less chance for side-effects) if combined with proper nutrition.  Thank you so much to all the previous donors for making a difference in these children's lives!

If you are in Davis or close by, I hope you and your family will come to the walk on October 18th.  We'd love to see you.  There will be games for kids, snacks, live music, and the walk is an easy one-mile loop with volunteers to cheer you on along the way.  To learn more and/or register, go to this link: http://www.hopewalks.org/davis/ 

If you'd like to raise funds without registering for the walk, go to http://www.firstgiving.com/hopewalksdavis, then click on "Create a fundraising page', and then select the "Registered offline" option.

I am also helping to raise funds for these children.  I know how tight money can be in this economy, so please don't feel any pressure, but I am seeking sponsors for our team and any amount helps.  My goal this year is $ (fill in).  You will find sponsor information at my webpage: (insert the link here). All donations are tax-deductible.

Would you like to form your own HopeWalks team with family, friends, or co-workers?  We have lots of tips this year for teams that you can find on http://www.sahaya.org/hopewalksdavis.html

If you know of companies that may be interested in forming a team, please let them know.  Companies may also contribute in-kind or monetary donations, for which they will get acknowledged.

Thank you so much for helping the children. We hope to see you at the walk!

(Insert your name here)