Dear Friends,
I’m very excited! I have amazing news to share!
It all began when I confided in a long-time Marist Brothers’ friend that gifts to support our elderly and disabled Brothers are down. When we compare gifts to this time last year, we’re down by about 10 percent.
These things happen – sometimes for no apparent reason. But when our budget falls this sharply, it brings chilling fears that we might need to trim back. Of course, we cannot economize on our elderly Brothers’ medical and wellness needs or their food expenses. Quite frankly, there’s not much else to cut!
That’s when my friend – who asked to remain anonymous – grinned slyly and said, “I have a challenge for my fellow Marist Brothers’ friends. Do you think they’re up for it?”
What do you say? Are you up for a challenge? Of course you are! Read on. You’re going to like the rest of this incredible story.
Our friend said, “I’ll match every dollar you raise up to $10,000. If you collect $10,000 in gifts, I’ll match your total and make it $20,000! With everyone’s help, we’ll be able to lessen that gap in your budget.”
I was speechless. Astounded and so very thankful. Together, we can do this – I know we can! So on behalf of all our Marist Brothers’ friends, I accepted the challenge.
Today we ask you to help us achieve this golden opportunity. Whether you can afford to share $15, $25, or more, every gift will automatically double!
Perhaps you could send an extra-special gift so it can be doubled!
We hope you understand how much your gift matters. Maintaining a modest, yet appropriate, budget for our elderly and disabled Brothers’ care is top priority. For example, your gift will enable Br. Mike, who is 86 years young, to continue his necessary routine doctor visits, keep his medication in check, and control his diabetes. While Br. Mike is no longer teaching in a classroom, he still devotes endless hours to assisting his fellow elderly Marist Brothers. Your gift today will help safeguard Br. Mike’s continued good health – and at the same time, help so many other elderly and disabled Brothers live their best life.
To explain how much your gift means, consider the nickels tucked in with this note. Sure, it’s 10¢, but imagine – almost like magic – it becomes 20¢! Now think the same way about your donation. Whatever amount you send will double in value once our devoted Marist Brothers’ friend matches it. So $25 becomes $50, $50 becomes $100, and so on!
Please send your support today…and help us double our good fortune.
When your gift arrives, my Brothers and I will thank God for your kindness during
our daily prayers in Chapel. We also hope you’ll take a moment to write your intentions on the
enclosed response slip and send it along with your gift. We hold a dedicated Mass on the first Monday of every month to honor our devoted donors. We would like very much to include your prayers.
In closing, we thank you for your continued support. You are an important member of the Marist Brothers’ Family, and your kindness is always greatly appreciated. One final thought…just as your donation will double after it’s matched, I hope your happiness this late summer season will also double!
