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Can I Escape from Alcatraz...
Page Creator: John Emami
Event: Escape from Alcatraz
Event Starts: Jul 12, 2009
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About my nonprofit:
San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program
SFCASA is the only volunteer program in San Francisco that empowers everyday citizens to become officers of the court to serve as advocates and mentors to abused and neglected children in foster care. In...
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Fundraising target: $5,000
So far I have raised: $3,743.97
Fundraising progress
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My personal message:

Why am I swimming from Alcatraz?

How would you like it if someone decided your fate right before you own eyes and you didn't get any say in it?
 
Well, that is what’s happening to foster kids on a daily basis!
 
As most of you know, I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA - www.sfcasa.org) and have been mentoring my foster child for the past 3 years.  We spend time together once a week, and I advocate on his behalf at his court hearings.  He came from an unstable family background – but over the past three years Bobby has improved his grades to become part of the honor roll, started volunteering at the local pet shelter, and his self esteem has increased tremendously to where he is now making friends. 
 
With the hope that more children can have the support they need to reach their full potential, I am joining a fundraising event to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco in the Alcatraz Challenge on July 12th (http://www.alcatrazchallenge.us/ ). I will represent the foster child I work with, as well as the other 2,000 foster kids in San Francisco (most of who don't have advocates like me supporting them).  
  
I would greatly appreciate your financial support. 100% of donations go directly to SFCASA and are fully tax deductable.  To read more about CASA see the paragraph to the left or let me know if you have any questions.  Suggested donation is $25 but no donation is too small. 
 
Thanks! - John Emami

Online Sponsors to date:
Display Name Date Amount  Comment
Erika, Todd, Bridget & Kate 7/20/2009 $50.00 Go John! Thanks for swimming the Alcatraz Challenge in behalf of CASA!  
Mark and Mary Jackowiak 7/17/2009 $25.00 Awesome cause, good luck! 
Emily and Haitham 7/16/2009 $50.00 Hope you reach the goal of $5K! 
Aunty Soheila 7/13/2009 $30.00 We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (churchill) 
SE, MT, KT, CT 7/13/2009 $50.00 be safe and enjoy:) 
Jessica Foulis 7/13/2009 $50.00  
Phil Haayer 7/11/2009 $50.00 Good luck buddy make sure you swim faster then sharks  
Uncle Bobby 7/11/2009 $50.00 Go get em! 
Al Alvidera 7/11/2009 $25.00 Good luck John!! 
Emily B's mom 7/11/2009 $25.00 CASA's a wonderful program -- good for you! 
Peter Bardwick 7/11/2009 $50.00 Go Joe and go CASA 
Julie 7/10/2009 $50.00 Good Luck John! 
Denny Quesada 7/10/2009 $50.00 Do it! You rock! 
Ken Wiencko 7/10/2009 $25.00 John, you da man! 
Rebecca Babb 7/10/2009 $25.00 Best of luck to you and this great cause! 
Dan & Christie R 7/10/2009 $50.00 Good luck John! What a great cause!  
Emily B. 7/10/2009 $25.00 such a great cause & wishing you all the best with your swim! 
Ashley 7/10/2009 $50.00 Good luck, you can do it! 
Nupur Goyal 7/9/2009 $20.00 Looking forward to a phonecall soon to tell me all about the swim! Take care and Best of Luck! 
Anonymous 7/9/2009 $50.00 Hey Mahmoudy - I am so proud of you!!! 
Mom and Dad 7/9/2009 $500.00 We are truly proud of you. 
Drey 7/9/2009 $48.97 Get it, get it! Don't forget your speedo! Galations 6:9 
Matt and Kim Hamrick 7/9/2009 $50.00 Acts 20:24  
Rick and Hilda Niemi 7/9/2009 $100.00 Hilda and I are proud of you John. You are an inspiration!  
Steve Wilson 7/8/2009 $50.00 get up dawg!  
sarah 7/8/2009 $25.00 you're awesome! good luck! 
Christina 7/8/2009 $25.00 advocate for kids, but scared of sharks...go John! 
Tom and Janine Stenson 7/8/2009 $100.00 For my grandkids that started out as foster kids 
The Train 7/8/2009 $100.00 God Bless you & your efforts! I'll meet you at Ghiradelli Square for a banana split after the race! 
Androoolee 7/8/2009 $50.00 Dude this is awesome! I also want a copy of this picture. Call me sometime.  
Anonymous 7/8/2009 $50.00 Can I get that picture blown up for my room? 
Mary Maddux 7/7/2009 $25.00 John, You Rock! Thanks for being a fabulous CASA. 
Kathy Lee 7/7/2009 $50.00 Be careful!!  
Ghazaleh Shafai 7/7/2009 $50.00 Don't get arrested underwater! :) 
Anonymous 7/7/2009 $200.00 Don't make it - I am expecting a refund! You should be more proud of how you have helped your kid. 
Bijan z 7/7/2009 $100.00  
Chad Boyea 7/7/2009 $25.00 Watch out for the sea weed pal! 
Belly Dancing Proceeds 7/6/2009 $50.00  
Kristi 7/6/2009 $25.00 Don't drown, John! 
Pat Pelley 7/6/2009 $25.00 Your a good man JE 
Hogan 7/6/2009 $50.00 Great Cause, Good Luck! 
Anonymous 7/6/2009 $50.00  
Marti Cook 7/6/2009 $100.00 God Bless You!!!!!  
Your Parata pal 7/6/2009 $50.00 Good luck!! 
AC 7/6/2009 $100.00 Can't wait to hear about it! Oh, and beat Bill!  
Untie Sheerin 7/6/2009 $100.00  
casey flaherty 7/6/2009 $50.00  
Briann White 7/5/2009 $100.00 Those children are so lucky to have your influence in their lives! God speed! 
Bren 7/3/2009 $100.00 Remember God will give you that second wind... 
Anonymous 7/3/2009 $100.00 (Philippians 4:13) You can do it! :-) 
Anonymous 7/3/2009 $20.00  
Tom 7/3/2009 $100.00 Swim fast! 
Nicko 7/3/2009 $100.00 I hope you make it. 
Anonymous 7/2/2009 $25.00 Go John!! 
Alyssa Fernandez-Isla 7/2/2009 $50.00  
"Untie Lis" 7/2/2009 $100.00  
John Emami 7/2/2009 $100.00  
* Total raised online: $3,743.97
Amount raised offline: $0.00
Grand Total: $3,743.97
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