SOAR  817a Virginia Drive  Orlando FL 32803

email:  info@soar99.org  (407) 898-0693

 RAINN  635-B Pennsylvania Ave SE  Washington DC 20003

email:  info@rainn.org   (800) 656-4673 ext. 3

Welcome to the website!

On April 29, 2006, I’ll be participating 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 may be 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.

By participating in Operation Freefall, I’ll be raising funds for Speaking Out About Rape (SOAR) as well as Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Your contribution will support the following services and initiatives:   

Maintain and expand the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE to ensure access to free, confidential counseling to victims of sexual assault, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Operated by RAINN).

• Development and launch of the Online National Sexual Assault Hotline by Winter 2006; The nation's first secure, web-based hotline, offering live help 24/7 as operated by RAINN. 
•  
• 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 $1500.00 before May 16th, and I need your support. Would you consider making a tax-deductible pledge to help me achieve my goal?  Prior to determing if you wish to donate, you may peruse the weblinks above for additional information. You may give your tax-deductible donation at this website. If you would prefer to make your pledge offline you may download a pledge form from  http://www.operationfreefall.com/register.html and please indicate that I am the sponsored jumper. All checks should be made directly payable to Operation Freefall.

Each individual who donates 50.00 dollars or more will receive an autographed picture of my jump. Each individual who donates 100.00 dollars or more will receive a video of my jump for Operation Freefall. In order to receive these items, please forward me your preferred mailing address. Please direct these messages to my mail or voice mail at the Albany College of Pharmacy. (please see below)

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. As 1 in 3 people will be assaulted within their lifetime, sexual violence directly or indirectly affects everyone. That is why I’ve committed myself to this event on a personal and professional level.

I hope you’ll share in this incredible adventure by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.  If you should interest in jumping yourself, you may also check out all of the details at www.operationfreefall.com. 

Thank you kindly for your consideration & generosity.

"Flying the friendly skies"~ KS

Kara Shirley, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCPP

Assistant Professor of Neuropsychiatric Pharmacy Practice

Albany College of Pharmacy

106 New Scotland Avenue

Albany NY, 12208