Memorial United Methodist Church, Inc.
101 Randolph Street
Thomasville, NC 27360

	April 30, 2008

Mr. John Doe
P.O. Box 100
Anytown, NC 29240

Dear John,

As you may know, I have been/will be involved with a summer youth mission project sponsored by The Appalachia Service Project and my church for several years. The trip helps our youth group strengthen friendships and learn about Christian service first-hand.  It is always a special week for us as we work to make a difference in the lives of the people of Appalachia.  

I thought you might like to read the following short note that I found on the ASP website recently and share some of the feelings that we get to experience each year.

Once a Goat Shed – Now a Home

The narrow road climbs past a community so tightly packed into Jones Creek Holler that telling who lives where can be difficult.  Dora and Mark Nelson’s home is sandwiched just above her parents’ house and just below her grandmother’s.  ASP is welcome here, having worked on many of these homes—including Dora and Mark’s.
The Nelsons’ house started out as a goat shed, later becoming a chicken coop, and finally storing unused items.  When Dora, a divorced, 19-year-old, middle school drop-out, was laid off from her restaurant job in 1991, she began to unload, clean, and live in this structure adjacent to her parents’ home … little dreaming that it would become a haven for children—her own and others. 
Dora and Mark worked on their unlikely house alongside her family.  “We just went out scavenging for materials all across Harlan County,” Dora recalled.  “My entire family helped, scavenging for what we could and buying some sheet rock to make the first room.  The house started out much smaller than it is now, and we worked on one room at a time.”
ASP has helped too, first in 2004 when we installed a carport roof over the Nelsons’ entire house, dropped in some walls, and installed a bathroom. Thanks to this work already in place, ASP was able to assist this family further last summer: removing a rotting back room addition and then digging and installing a foundation for the enlarged and well-insulated room that replaced it, using the existing carport roof supports as framing. Additional dry wall and windows were added in a bedroom and bathroom, and interior and exterior painting was done.
“ASP sure is good about helping, and we appreciate every bit of everything everyone did,” Dora said gratefully.  I still brag on them a lot, and we love that they keep in touch.”  “When we first met ASP, our house was just pouring water,” Dora remembered. “I had to keep mopping whenever it rained. Then ASP came along and did things I didn’t know you could do. Now it looks like things are going good to me, and I appreciate every bit of what they did.”

To help raise the funds that are needed for us to make our trip to Appalachia I am selling "Stock Shares" for ten dollars per share.  By purchasing stock, you help make this life changing trip possible and help us make a difference for people just like Dora and Mark Nelson.  After we return you will be able to join us for a special dinner at our church and we share pictures and stories about our trip.  Can I count on your support?

								With gratitude,

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