Dear Friend of ACSNJ:

As one of ACSNJ's loyal supporters, personal friend or ACSNJ colleague, I am asking for your assistance once again.  As you may know, ACSNJ has been providing valuable services to those infected with and affected by HIV or AIDS for the past 21 years. Many of our clients live normal productive lives as a direct result of what we do for them.

Our mission in simple terms has been to provide services that remove barriers to medical care for each of our clients. We do that by offering free legal aid, free transportation, free food, emergency financial assistance for utilities and rent, job counseling and assistance with job searches. We offer testing and counseling and a warm place for the homeless at our Ray of Hope drop in center in Camden.

Every year we run food basket, coat and backpack drives and have a very special event near Christmas each year for the children of those we serve.

Those of you who have volunteered at our thrift shop and other programs have shared in the dedication we have given to all our clients, young and old.

Government support for ACSNJ has gone down almost 40% since 2003. While private foundation and other public support has grown since then, it has not been enough to offset the support from the public sector that used to be there.

We have reached a point in our existence where the future of ACSNJ is in danger. We are not talking next year. We are talking about the near future where the possibility of suspending operations exists, affecting the 1,600 clients we serve.

To be specific, in order for ACSNJ to maintain its programs and services, we need $240,000 more in support each year than we now have. That is our annual deficit, and as you know, deficits grow and grow unless there is revenue to eliminate them.

Now, we are taking some measures that will reduce some of our operating expenses that support our direct care. These reductions will be painful, but necessary.

Today, we need you to think about the loyalty that has grown between you and ACSNJ as a worthy cause, and we come to you to ask for more. Just like us, we know you are spread pretty thin in these hard economic times. But, without these funds, ACSNJ will not survive. I realize you may have recently received a request for help in our Annual Appeal, but it is simply not enough to remove this threat.

Please send us a check to "ACSNJ" at 100 Essex Avenue, Suite 300, Bellmawr, NJ 08031 or simply donate directly on this webpage (www.firstgiving.com/ACSNJFundraisingChallenge) or go to our website’s front page at www.acsnj.org to give us your financial support. Thank you ever so much for your help.

Knowing you are helping us continue to serve those in need who are battling HIV/AIDS everyday is such a reward.

Sincerely,

Colleen T. Brooks, Chief Financial Officer