ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2009 LETTER

Cause for Celebration

Written by Teresa Willman

I can't think of a better way to begin this letter than by saying Thank You…Thank you for your donations, your enthusiasm, your dedication and your willingness to partner with the Cardinal Greenways. Our trail system is one of the finest in the State of Indiana because of our wonderful donors and volunteers.

A few years ago we asked our community, "What if I gave $1.00 every time I used the Greenways?" Thousands of users responded, many realizing for the first time how many days they actually spend on the trails. Some of these users have then turned to others and asked them to give. They've dropped coins or bills into a donation box or called a friend to donate an item that might be useful to the organization. They've rewritten their wills to include a provision to support the Greenways well into the future or written a check from a personal or business account. The Greenways have been noticed and they are bringing economic value to our area by creating a new clientele for area businesses, encouraging trail related businesses to relocate along the trail, and living in a community with a trail system.

The Greenway is almost completed…soon we will have 60 miles of paved trail. This year's Annual Campaign has a reachable goal. With your help we can do it. Our operational expenses continue to grow, and we need your support! We have come so far, and we are very proud of what has been completed. We have also achieved many of the goals and dreams that were established sixteen years ago, but to see our new growth plan to its completion, we need your support.

Remember all of the wonderful things the Greenway represents in our community and help us make a difference today, tomorrow and in the future. When a Greenway volunteer asks you to support the Greenway in 2009…please respond with YES…it is so worth it!

"Sometimes, as we're climbing that mountain, we need to turn around and look at the view halfway up". Lenette Freeman, Executive Director, Cardinal Greenways. We are almost at the top!

With your help, when people are asked what we have that other communities don't have, they will say " Cardinal Greenways."

Thanks in advance for your donation and for your continued support.

Sincerely,