Hi Everyone! As many of you know I made my first skydive on the 5th anniversary of the day I was raped. Since then I have completed 14 skydives and each one is more exciting than the last. When I made that first jump on Janaury 18, 1999 I had no idea it would eventually turn into a national event. It amazes me how many people have joined in my vision of creating awareness of sexual assault by Taking The Two-Mile-High Stand Against Sexual Assault. Every year each of you has donated generously to this event and I'm very grateful. I personally want to raise $5,000 this year and I hope I can count on you once again. I'll be jumping at Skydive Space Center in Titusville this year. Everyone is welcome to come spend the day with me! It truly is a wonderful event to watch. The transformation the jumpers go through is inspiring! On April 29, 2006, I'll be participating (once again) in the nation's boldest, highest-altitude, and most daring effort to put an end to sexual assault. It's called Operation Freefall: The Two-Mile High Stand Against Sexual Assault. I'll be joining thousands of people at skydive centers across the country who will take to the sky and jump, to raise awareness and money for sexual assault. I know you are saying, "You're not a skydiver!" You're right, but I don't need to be. I'll be making a tandem skydive with a United States Parachute Association licensed tandem master. If you don't believe I can do this, I'll show you the video I'll receive as a souvenir of my jump and statement. By participating in Operation Freefall, I'll be raising funds for Speaking Out About Rape (SOAR) and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and [insert Local Host] to help: " Maintain and expand the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (operated by RAINN) to ensure access to free, confidential counseling to victims of sexual assault, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. " Extend efforts to provide prevention, recovery, and prosecution information to tens of millions of people, across the country and in your community, each year. " Expand SOAR's programs to educate lawmakers, police officers, students and the media about sexual assault. I've agreed to raise $5,000 before May 15th, and I need your help. Would you consider making a tax-deductible pledge to help me meet my goal? I'll be skydiving from at least 10,500 feet. How much will you pledge for each foot jumped: *1/4-cent per foot: $26.40 *A nickel per foot: $528 *1/2-cent per foot: $52.80 *A dime per foot: $1,056 *A penny per foot: $105.60 *A quarter per foot: $2,640 *Two cents per foot: $211.20 *A dollar per foot: $10,560 The FBI categorizes rape as the second most violent crime a person can experience, second only to murder. To put it another way, it's the most violent and traumatic crime any victim lives to remember. Every two minutes, another American is sexually assaulted. It is the most under-reported of all crimes in the United States. The effects of sexual violence affect all of us. That is why I've committed myself to this event. I hope you'll share in this incredible adventure by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. Of course, if you want to jump, too, let me know and I'll get you registration materials. You can also check out www.operationfreefall.com. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Blue Skies, Kellie