The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties

Our chapter is serving on the Steering Committee for this important effort. We encourage you to help if you can….. Todd Lowther

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends:

Few emails might mean as much to you as this one. As a passionate advocate for those with developmental disabilities, including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and other conditions that affect intellectual functioning read on and you’ll see what I mean.

I am writing you regarding a very important effort to eliminate the wait for services for 12,000 adults and children who have developmental disabilities. It is an effort so important that dozens of advocacy organizations like The Arc of Colorado, The Autism Society of Colorado, Easter Seals and Cerebral Palsy of Colorado are joining forces with Community Centered Boards throughout the state to address this crisis.

We need your help.

As you know, a lot is happening in Colorado during this election season – and our effort to pass a statewide ballot measure is vitally important to families whom we all know. With the expected high turnout for the 2008 elections, we have an unparalleled opportunity to reach supportive voters.

Currently, Colorado is 45th in state spending on a per personal income basis for community and residential services for persons with developmental disabilities…yet Colorado’s per capita income is the 10th highest in the nation. Without a statewide fund and commitment to these children and adults, we all experience the negative effects on our economy and quality of life.

Coloradans take great pride in their state, and have proven willing to provide new funding when the cause is just and the return on investment is clear. With this measure, we can ensure that our state provides a basic safety net for children and adults who, through no fault of their own, face tremendous burdens every day just getting by.

Our proposed ballot measure ends Colorado’s wait list through a phased-in sales tax of two-tenths of one percent; 2 pennies on every $10. Each of us has pennies lying around. We even throw pennies away from time to time. Now, it is our chance – for only pennies per year, to let individuals make a difference. Your two cents on 10 bucks could mean:

• An additional 3 cents on lunch for two at Chipotle
• An additional 12 cents on a $60 pair of shoes
• An additional $46 on a purchase of a $23,000.00 car
• No additional state taxes on groceries or medicine or medical services or personal services

The money raised through this effort goes directly towards services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. When fully implemented, “2 cents on 10 bucks” yields approximately $200 million, most of which will be eligible for a Medicaid match. In other words, we can leverage state raised funds to secure federal funds. We believe that this funding will be sufficient, along with continued efforts by the legislature, to address Colorado’s wait list crisis.

You can make a difference.

We must raise $400,000 by June 15th (and are already half way there!) and approximately $3 million overall in order to educate voters and to be victorious in November.

Many have already pledged alongside individual supporters like you. In fact, we have a very exciting challenge opportunity. Two anonymous donors have agreed to make a matching gift of $35,000 by June 15th, if our supporters raise that through current fundraising efforts like this.

Please consider a contribution of $1,000, $500, or $100 to end Colorado’s wait list for people with developmental disabilities. Your contribution can be mailed to End Colorado’s Wait List (EWL) c/o The Arc of Colorado, 1580 Logan, Ste 730, Denver, CO 80203. Or go to www.endcoloradowaitlist.org to donate online. (If you mail a donation, please include your occupation as that information is required by Colorado law.)

I know I am asking for a lot and would be happy to meet with you and provide additional information. As our campaign progresses, there will be lots of opportunities to volunteer. I hope you will consider being part of this exciting effort in whatever capacity you feel comfortable.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Marijo Rymer
Campaign Chair
Executive Director, The Arc of Colorado
(303) 864-9334
mrymer@thearcofco.org

PS: Think about “Jeff” the 42 year-old with cerebral palsy and his mom who had to quit work because vocational services weren’t available for her son. Think of “Cindy” the 24 year-old with autism who could get a job with a little training and social support were it not for the wait list. Your gift can make a difference.

PPS: We can also accept donations from businesses and civic, non-profit or social organizations—so please check your contact lists for additional donation sources.