February 26, 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s that time of year again…….for those of you who may not know me my name is Garrett Robinson and I am 15 years old. I volunteer for a non-profit organization named Friends-Together. It’s an organization that was started by Mom and Step Dad Steve. It raises money to help families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. A big part of raising that money comes from a bike ride that I have ridden every year since I was 12. Normally the ride is 500 miles in 5 days but this year it’s 300 miles in 3 days in order to influence others to ride with us.

Last year many of you pledged me to ride the ride and also to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Just so you know I rode all 504 miles and I made it to the top…..I was 14 and it’s the highest stand alone mountain in the world!! The bike ride raised close to $50,000, which is such a big help for others. Now of course we all want to beat that and go beyond the mark. But the only way we can do that is with your help. With all the money you donate we use it to better others. Our camps make such a big difference in people’s lives and this is a way you can be a part of it. For instance Brian Thompson is a teen that is part of Friends-Together, but he has been very sick many times. Not only does he need support from all of us, he needs medicine and lots of other things and help to get them. This year I am riding for Brian and my other friends who can not. I hope that you will take this into consideration and make a pledge for this bike ride. You will be doing this for a great cause that can change many lives and help save my friends. So take part and make a difference.

As Steve always said, Hand in hand we make the difference.

Best Wishes,

Garrett

PS For those of you who knew Steve I took his ashes with me to the top of  Kilimanjaro, when I made it to the top I left him there so he could stay at a place he was amazed to visit.