Dear Friends:

There's not a day that goes by that we don't hear about or see the pictures of the destruction and devastation that has recently occurred in Haiti. No matter how much financial contribution I, personally, make, I cannot sit by any longer. Today I feel the need to go there and help. I feel compelled to reach the people of Haiti by physically being there to rebuild their country or to even just simply offer the people any sort of comfort that I can.

Recently, my church announced a trip that they were planning to Haiti. I have decided to sign up for a 7 to 10 day trip to help the people of Haiti thru Calvary Christian Church of Lynnfield who has joined forces with Convoy of Hope (www.concoyofhope.org). Once at Port-au-Prince we will be working side-by-side with Convoy of Hope personnel to help rebuild homes, pass out food and water, and give comfort to the thousands of survivors who have been victimized by this earthquake.

Due to certain logistical considerations and safety issues, the dates of this trip have yet to be determined. However, we have been told that we will be leaving within the next 3 to 4 weeks. Once we are cleared to go, we will need to be deployed within 72 hours. As you can imagine, there is much red tape that we need to go thru before we can go.

I am personally financing this trip for myself and we have been instructed to basically pack nor more than the clothes on our backs and basic toiletries. However, we are also attempting to raise money in order to bring supplies, food, water, building material, and any other items that can help bring but the slightest comfort to the victims of Haiti.

I am writing to you today because I am asking if you would like to help us raise money for supplies for the people of Haiti. I do not normally do this and do not want to put you in any awkward position. However, this project will be greater than any one of us and we would like to raise money to help Convoy of Hope in their mission.

If you would like to donate, in order to assist you in making any donation you feel comfortable with, my

church and I have set up the following site: . If you go to this site and follow the

instructions, you will be able to make a tax deductible donation right on line. I have asked the church to set up this secure site to be used by my friends, relatives and anyone who would like to donate.

Donations must be made thru Calvary Christian Church who will allocate the funds to Convoy of Hope for this trip. This is a tax dectible donation and you will receive a charitable receipt from the church.

I know my life will not be the same after completing this trip. I only hope that the lives of those I meet and help while there will also be affected for the positive in any way I can make it so. Our God is a global God no matter what your faith, and it's our desire to help everyone in any way we can.

Best Regards and thank you for your consideration. George Raftopoulos