Well last year I started off my email by saying that I usually don't do this... well here I am again a year later asking for your help. As you may recall, last year Epstein, Lipsey & Clifford sponsored a team to participate in the Sharon Sprint Triathlon to raise money for the Scleroderma Foundation in memory of Karen Jenkins who courageously battled this wretched disease for nearly 14 years. Thanks largely to the efforts of Tim Jenkins and Daniel Warsowick we were able to raise in excess of $15,000 for this worthwhile cause.

Shortly after we competed in the triathlon in August, 2010, we found out that our good friend, Jennifer Gresham, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. If you don't know Jen, I can sum her up by saying that cancer picked on the wrong person. Each and every time it has knock her down, she has gotten back up and punched back; never once complaining or saying why me. If she did, no one would blame her, yet she doesn't. As a result she has not only been a role model and inspiration for her children but has inspired me to get back into the water and do the triathlon again. This is no small feat. If you do not already know the story, as my 5 year old waited and waited on the edge of the lake with Charlie Sorrento and my wife last year, he said "Mom, did Dad drown???" because it took me nearly 32 minutes to finally finish the swim. Well that is what you get when you swim 1/2 mile doing the "chicken, airplane, soldier" [this is the basic back stroke taught to kids"]. Okay, I think we can agree that no one will ever confuse me for Michael Phelps.

This year we are putting together another team to compete in the Sharon Sprint Triathlon on August 14th at Lake Massapoag in Sharon, Massachusetts. After talking with Jen, we have decided to raise money for the Ellie Fund. The Ellie Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that fights breast cancer and eases its effects on patients and families by providing transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries, and nutritious prepared/delivered meals free of charge to hundreds of women and family members across Massachusetts each year.

So we are asking for your help again. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000.00 for the Ellie Fund. If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, you can do so here on our page. In addition to doing the triathlon, we are raising the stakes by making this pledge: We are going to match 20% of all donations made up to our goal of $20,000.00 with the matching funds going to the Scleroderma Foundation in memory of Karen Jenkins.

Right now our team consists of Scott Clifford, Tim Jenkins, Dan Warsowick, Brian Jenkins, Dave Gresham, Brian Pfingston, Ralph Deberardinis and Jay McDonough.  Thank you for your generosity and if you have any swimming tips we are taking them at this time.

Scott J. Clifford