Hi Everyone -

This year marks the 3rd year that John's Team will be participating in the Samaritans' Run for Someone Else's Life, in memory of my cousin Johnny, who ended his own life in February of 2007.  I'm thrilled that our little team is growing year by year, and last year, we raised almost $3500!!

I know this is a difficult year to be asking anyone for money.  We're all trying to be more frugal in this economy, and there seems to be less and less money going around for the 'above and beyond' - the extra pair of shoes, the 2nd vacation, or the donations for those less fortunate.

This year, the need for the Samaritans is greater than ever before.  With more and more people being laid off, and more companies going out of business, and all the troubles in the financial industry, the stress on many people is becoming too much to handle.  Samaritans, Inc., with offices in Boston and Framingham, answered more than 118,000 calls during the fiscal year that just ended. This was a 24% increase from the year before. They have been successful in recruiting more volunteers, but there are still calls that go unanswered.  The Samaritans of Boston have been ramping up their marketing this year, to ensure that more people know that there is a place for them to call, an understanding voice to listen, so that hopefully, they think twice about making such a drastic and desparate decision.

I actually called the Samaritans hotline the day after Johnny died. The voice on the other end of the phone was so kind, so reassuring, and so resourceful.  I called because I knew that no one else might understand what I was feeling, or how to help my family along in their grief.  I'm so grateful for the voice on the other line.  She let me know that I wasn't alone in my grief, and that simple act of listening to me helped me heal just a little bit that day.  I vowed to give back to the Samaritans, in Johnny's memory, and hope that he's proud of the work I'm doing to help others.

I ask for your support, to help make sure that for every person that calls the Samaritans, there is a voice on the other line.  Particularly now, the need is stronger than ever.  Donate as much or as little as you possibly can - every little bit helps.  If you're feeling really brave, join me and John's Team on Saturday, October 3rd.  It's a really beautiful day for families and friends to come together and celebrate life, despite the dark times that we're in.

I really appreciate your continued support - just click on the link to donate online (It's totally secure), or mail me a donation at:

72 Nottinghill Road, Brighton, MA 02135.

Thanks so much!

Elizabeth

PS:  Check out the following links to learn more about the work the Samaritans have been doing:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18885496/detail.html

 http://www.bostonherald.com/news/hard_times/view.bg?articleid=1157247

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1IjIDuvmFg&feature=channel_page

 Also,a HUGE thank you to those who've donated offline!!