February 19, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,         

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Garrett Robinson, and I am 16 years old and I am a volunteer for Friends-Together, Inc.

Friends-Together, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was started by my Mom, Cathy Robinson Pickett and my late step Dad Steve Pickett. Friends-Together helps families infected and affected by HIV. Since 2001, Friends-Together, Inc. has offered classes, camps, Christmas parties, and all kinds of things for all of our families, but these last couples of years have been difficult. With my mom being sick, and with Steve’s death in a car accident and Friends-Together having to say goodbye to several long time volunteers, we have been struggling to get by.

Everything we do relies on money we raise. Everyone is a volunteer so all the money we do raise goes to make our programs happen. We survive with the help of people like you who are willing to help our kids, teenagers and families. Every year I do a bike ride to raise money for our camps. This year it will be a 300 mile ride in 3 days from Tallahassee to Lakeland, Florida, March 31 to April 2. All of the money we raise goes to our programs. Last time we fell short and this year we have had to actually consider canceling a couple of camps. I can’t stand to see that happen I ride every year for all of my friends that can’t! My sister and I no how fortunate we are to not be infected with the virus but for us so many of our friends were not that lucky.

With your donations, sick families that rely on us to give them the help and support they need can actually get it. I am not one for lots of words but I promise our programs help so many people. Right now for lots of my friends who are infected and affected we are the only support each of us has. Lots of us have lost our parents, our caregivers, our friends our loved ones and the family we rely on most is the family we have made to support each other. We are all growing up and we need help to stay on the path to fulfill our dreams for the future. Please visit our website to check out our programs at www.FriendsTogether.org. No pledge is too big or too small.

As Steve always said “hand and hand we all make the difference.” Thank you so much for any help you can give.

Best Wishes,

Garrett Robinson