Dear Friends:

For about 15 years, I have been sending out an annual request for your support as I have raised funds for the Humane League of Berks County. As you all know, this cause is close to my heart and I am so very appreciative of your support of my efforts in the past. Due to certain circumstances, I will not be walking in the Humane Society’s Walk for the Animals this year. I was still going to try to raise funds for them, but this summer, I heard a message from Northpoint Community Church (Andy Stanley’s church in Georgia) that rocked my world. A guest speaker shared his story (his walk away from and then back to Jesus) and what he experienced during his searching. During a mission trip to West Africa, Scott Harrison was stunned and appalled by what he witnessed. As he shared his story, I too was stunned and appalled to learn that there are places in this world where people drink contaminated water because it is all that is available to them. I was horrified to learn of the sickness and death that occurs due to lack of resources and knowledge. I was sick to my stomach as I listened to Scott’s stories about watching parents struggle with decisions regarding their sick children….all because in order to live, they had to drink water that carried diseases that may kill them anyway.

After seeing all this, Scott returned to the United States and started a non-profit organization called Charity Water. It is an organization designed to use every last donated dollar to create and sustain fresh water sources in places that otherwise wouldn’t even know it was running directly under their village. I invite you today, to watch or listen to Scott’s message at:

http://northpoint.org/messages/voices/keeping-up-appearances/

(he tells it a lot better than I ever could!)

Because this message had such an overwhelming impact on my heart, I am asking you today, in honor of my recent celebration of 18 years of recovery from food addiction and alcoholism, to join me in donating $18 to Charity Water. All you need to do is click the following link and make a gift, and you will be contributing to a person in a developing country tasting fresh water for the first time! I would love it if you would make the donation in honor of my 18th year of recovery, but if you would prefer to honor someone else, I’m certainly okay with that!

https://www.charitywater.org/donate

If you do want me to know that you have made the donation, simply make it in honor of me: “Jessica L. Morris” and provide my email address: jessica_l_morris@comcast.net when you fill out your optional note so I can thank you personally.

I am sure I will be walking for the animals again in my future, but this year, I’m asking you to help me walk the walk for people who aren’t blessed with the gift of clean, fresh water every day! And, I thank you, in advance, for your generosity!!!!!!

Jessica