No Politics, Just A Strong Yank At Your Heartstrings: "Laptops For Foster Youth" Holiday Drive.

December 17, 2013 Voice Your Opinions! Letters to the editor make a difference. You can send a 175-word letter to the Anchorage Daily News by e-mail (letters@adn.com); or by fax or mail (call them at 257-4308). Send letters to the Anchorage Press via e-mail editor@anchoragepress.com or by mail to 540 E. Fifth Ave, Anchorage, 99501. Feel free to call us if you need factual information to help you write a letter. Contact the Governor. The Governor can be reached at 269-7450; sean.parnell@alaska.gov; or www.alaska.gov. Contact us. My office can be reached at: 716 W. 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501; by phone: 269-0106; visit my website at http://gara.akdemocrats.org; or email: Rep.Les.Gara@akleg.gov

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We missed our Chanukah Edition. Oy (I'm Jewish and can say that!). But with Christmas approaching, and this being a holiday season for many, I just want to take advantage of your amazing generosity. Again. Because I know you care, and you've shown it over and over.

Is the soft sell going OK so far?

Here’s the good and bad news.

Good News: We've raised over 300 new and good, late-model used laptops for Alaska’s foster youth the past three years. People think about giving all year, but especially at the holidays. Hence the strategically timed heartstring yank.

Bad News: Unfortunately, Alaska has a growing number of foster youth – 2,000 from 1,600 just a few years ago. Children and youth who, through no fault of their own, live with very little and have been separated from their parents. Laptops help youth in school, and give them a little normalcy in a life of few possessions. A life that sees many youth bounced between homes and schools. Laptops help them carry around family photos and stay in touch with friends, which foster youth especially need in this time of life disruption and hardship.

A Laptop Makes A Difference - And Your Donations Are Tax Deductible (blatant soft sell number 2)!

We are looking for: 1) good used or new laptops (with Word processing and Wi-Fi connectivity); 2) donations we can buy laptops with. We started this drive with Facing Foster Care in Alaska, a non-profit that has joined in this effort. The donations are made to them, through our office if you'd like, and they are a non-profit – hence your tax deduction if you deduct.

More and How (Just Skip to the Bottom for “How To Donate” Part if You'd Like)

Here’s a press release we just sent out – donation information is on the bottom if you don't want your heart-strings tugged any harder....Click here to read.

Rep. Gara with former foster youth Sarah Redmon

My Best,