I Told Two Friends Campaign

In March, 2008, FAMILY FOCUS ADOPTION SERVICES realized that in order to be able to continue our work without having to rely on ongoing donation mailings and occasional grants, all we need is an endowment fund of $10 Million. But where could we get that amount of money?

Then one day a staff member got a 'joke' email that he had already seen several times, and he knew it had gone around and around the internet. The startling part was realizing that when someone forwarded the joke, they sent it only to their friends and family. Even so, it had probably reached hundreds and hundreds of people, a few at a time. So he asked himself, 'What if each of those emails had only $10 attached to it? In no time, it would add up!'

With this in mind, we created the email that you will find below, crossed our fingers, and pressed 'send.' It has circulated for some time, and we have received donations, many just $10 at a time, that now total (drumroll, please):

$12,816

We sincerely thank all those who have contributed, and then 'told two friends'!

If you would like to join this campaign, you can copy the text below and paste it into an email, customize it with a personal message if you wish, and then forward it ONLY TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Or, if you prefer, email us and request to join the 'I Told Two Friends...' campaign, and we will send you the email directly, so you can then forward it as you see fit.

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Date ##, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

This is NOT a public mass-distributed SPAM or solicitation. This is a PERSONAL APPEAL from YOURNAME, which I am sending to you only because you are someone I know. I have dated this email Date ##, 2008 so it does not circulate on the Internet for years to come. This is a one-time-only appeal.

WILL YOU PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN OUR
'I TOLD TWO FRIENDS, AND THEY TOLD TWO FRIENDS'
ENDOWMENT FUND CAMPAIGN?

If you pass this along, we want it stated right up front that this email is originating from someone closely connected to FAMILY FOCUS ADOPTION SERVICES: www.familyfocusadoption.org

We are a 21 year-old not-for-profit adoption agency in Queens, NY whose goal is to find homes for the 800+ children in the New York State foster care system who are waiting for Forever Families. Because of the innovative, dedicated work that we do, approximately 97% of the children we place become finalized adopted children in permanent loving families.

BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Families do not pay fees to adopt New York State foster children. Being a not-for-profit agency, without government contracts or large funders, we live 'hand-to-mouth,' relying on the small fees we collect for some of our services, and on donations and the occasional grants we receive. And it is not enough.

Here is how we are hoping that this email does something magical, and allows us to continue our important work:

IF ONE MILLION PEOPLE DONATE ONLY $10 EACH, JUST ONCE, THAT WILL BE ENOUGH!

We have calculated that if we can create an Endowment Fund of just $10 Million, it will allow us to continue to do our work helping children indefinitely!

THIS IS NOT UNREALISTIC IN THIS INTERNET AGE!
I am hoping that I have enough friends and family that if
'I TOLD TWO FRIENDS, AND THEY TOLD TWO FRIENDS'

...we can reach this goal! $10 million, $10 at a time, to help 800+ children who have been waiting years for FOREVER FAMILIES - and you can help with only $10! I hope when I put it this way, it doesn't sound like so much. Believe it or not, that's all it will take.

PLEASE visit our website at www.familyfocusadoption.org to find out more about us. And if you are willing to participate, there is even a 'DONATE NOW' button that takes you to a page where you can make a donation quickly and easily through PAYPAL.

If you have any questions, email, write or call us!

CHECK BACK OFTEN - WE WILL POST UPDATES ON OUR WEBSITE TO LET YOU KNOW OUR PROGRESS TOWARD OUR GOAL!

And then - please decide if you are comfortable sharing this email with YOUR friends and family who may be looking for a wonderful, worthwhile charity to which they can contribute....only $10. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the children!

Your friend at:

FAMILY FOCUS ADOPTION SERVICES
54-40 Little Neck Parkway, Suite 4
Little Neck, NY 11362
718-224-1919

P.S. If you know of someone who is part of a charitable organization that offers grants or makes donations, or if your workplace supports not-for-profit causes, we would be happy to set up an appointment to do a presentation, or send a proposal. Just let us know!

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