Friends, Family, Righteous Strangers, lend me your wallets;

I come to advocate a great cause, not to go shopping.

The benevolence of men often lives after them;

The selfless acts of goodwill oft inter within the memory of 

those who bear witness;

So let it be with You. The noble Office of Letters and Light

Hath told me about a wonderful opportunity:

If it weren’t so, a grievous fault I’ve committed 

in praising its value to you,

And grievously will I answer for it.

Here, under the support of the Office of Letters and Light -

For it is an honourable organization;

As are charitable organizations, all honourable -

Come inspiration to the world through writing.

Writing is my friend, faithful and just to me:

But not all are as fortunate as I;

And everyone should have access to such a wonderful outlet.

Writing hath brought me many hours of joy and peace

Whose broken heart and crushed soul did writing salvage:

Shouldn’t then everyone be afforded opportunity to procure 

such solace through writing?

When that mine eyes have cried, writing hath comforted:

True Serenity cannot be found in reality shows and video games:

Yet for many, only that which is ultimately superficial is available;

And quality alternatives there should be.

The Office of Letters and Light did see this void

And seeks to fill it,

Helping children and adults alike with creative writing programs: 

fostering inspiration, encouragement, and structure along the path of 

achieving each individual’s creative potential.

Yet money makes the world go ‘round;

And, sure, there’s not always enough to spare.

I speak not to dole out guilt trips on those with tight budgets,

But to encourage those with a buck or two extra to donate.

You all may have already such an outlet, understanding its importance:

Why not enable someone less fortunate, to achieve their own?

O glorious satisfaction! thou art intrinsic to giving souls,

And in today’s world, a rare commodity. Spread the word;

My heart is helplessly intertwined with this cause,

And I must pass it on in the hopes that at least one out there, like me, 

is able to acquire the soul-sating tranquility only a writer knows.

(Candace Heiser, as inspired by the great Mark Antony in the play Julius 
Caesar.)

To those of you who know me… you’re aware of how important 
writing is to me.  Written words, like reliable lifeboats, 
have carried me through the tumultuous storms of life.  
If I can help other likeminded souls obtain their own saving vessels, 
I will finally begin repaying the large debt I owe to those writers 
who’ve come before me.

Also, should I reach the donation goal, I get to attend a pretty sweet 
banquet for writers in November… just sayin’.  :O)