Friends, family and abolitionists:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

On July 18th, 2010, I will be swimming from Alcatraz Island across the chilly waters of the San Francisco Bay to the city, a distance of about 1.5 miles. Although many swimmers take part in this, and other swims across the Bay every year, it is not for novices. Ten years ago, I completed the entire triathlon in under 4 hours. This time, I am just focusing on the swim. My training consists of swimming 5 to 7 miles a week until mid-July.

I am doing this with a friend, and as a fundraising effort for Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (Virginia Organizing Project is a fiscal sponsor for VADP).  VADP is a statewide citizens' organization dedicated to educating the public about alternatives to the death penalty. I strongly support VADP and abolishinig the death penalty in Virginia and in every state in the U.S. The capital punishment system is fatally flawed and puts innocent people at risk for crimes they did not commit. Currently, there are 138 exonerees who have been released from death row due on their innocence.

My fundraising goal of $13,800* is a derivative of the number of exonerees. In addition to raising money, I also hope to raise the level of awareness of the innocence issue. *If more people are exonerated before July 18th, I will raise my goal accordingly.

I would like to thank the Virginia Organizing Project (VOP) for accepting donations on behalf of VADP. All donations are tax-deductible.

Many thanks for your support -- and please forward this to anyone who you think might want to support me!

Sincerely,

Lynn