Imagine…living day after day without something most of us take for granted….sleep. And knowing the reason you can’t close your eyes, not even for a second, is because someone you love could be seriously injured.

We don’t have to tell you, it’s happening, right here in the Cedar Valley, for parents with a child(ren) with a disability.

Let us briefly share the story of the Franklin family with you…Janet is a single mom raising a sweet, very curious, 10 year old boy, Jake, with a disability. While Jake’s at school, Janet’s at work. When Jake’s home, he is very active and doesn’t slow down, not even to rest. And as often happens with curious children, if left unsupervised, Jake can find himself in unsafe even dangerous situations.

Fortunately, they can turn to EPI’s Children’s Respite program. While Jake is safe and having fun with his friends learning new skills, Janet can finally close her eyes and sleep. But the story doesn’t end here….

…You see, the federal funding many families rely on to pay for this service runs out long before their need does.

And, this last year, when Janet was fighting cancer her need grew more than ever but funding did not. It was only through the kindness and generosity of people like you that Janet and Jake were able to get help when they needed it the most.
 
We wish we could say the Children’s Respite program is the only EPI program facing this funding situation. EPI’s Employment Services and Multiple Sclerosis Services programs are also seeing a greater need for service than there is funding.

That’s why we’re asking you to send the Exceptional Persons Foundation a generous tax-deductible gift today. No gift is too small.

This year, through an anonymous gift, a challenge has been made to match all new donations and increased gifts from last year – up to $5,000. Please consider a gift this year to help individuals with disabilities and families like the Franklin family.

We know we don’t have to tell you these are lean economic times. Perhaps you’ve felt this on a personal level. But we wouldn’t be asking if the need wasn’t great.

Won’t you join us in our support of the persons served by EPI? We need you with us….together, we can make a big difference.

On behalf of the Exceptional Persons Foundation, thank you for considering making a contribution. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at (319) 232-6671.

Sincerely,

Christopher Sparks  
Executive Director