My name is Julie Nolan, the daughter of Joe and Karin Nolan, and a lifelong Norfolk resident. I am a 2004 graduate of King Philip Regional High School attending Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, Connecticut. I am currently in my junior year as a sociology major. For the past fifteen years, SHU has sent volunteer faculty, staff and students to a remote and extremely impoverished village in El Salvador. Each year during Spring Break these members of SHU's community travel to the providence of Usulatan, to help those less fortunate. The efforts made by these volunteers have helped make an impoverished village become a little more inhabitable. Last year the SHU students and faculty built a youth center, complete with a basketball court, and in past years they have built a church, houses, schools, playgrounds, and an infirmary. This year the remote village of Tiera Blanca will benefit from the SHU's hard work and assistance once again. The volunteers are responsible for their own travel expenses. However, the volunteers are also responsible to raise the funds needed for the necessary supplies and tools for the project. Each volunteer is making individual appeals for funds. All money raised will go directly towards building materials and supplies for the targeted project; they are not to pay for the volunteers travel expenses. SHU also makes a monetary contribution, from the raised funds, for one specific item that the community Tierra Blanca's greatly needs. In 2005 some of the fundraised money went to buy a van for the people of Tierra Blanca to be able to access the medical clinics in San Salvador, a two hour drive away. Without this van the people of Tierra Blanca had to fend for themselves and often go without medical care, resulting in death at times. In 2006 the SHU fundraised money went towards airfare for approximately five El Salvadorians to be flown to Venezuela for eye surgery, as well as donated a computer and books for the library. The Sacred Heart University community embodies the motto "Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others" (Danny Thomas). As a community that gives back to others who are faced with adversity, we see our University on the road towards success; but with help from organizations like yours, we can be more successful in giving back and assisting those truly in need. Any monetary donation will be greatly appreciated. Your generosity will not go unnoticed and it would be my privilege to report to you the progress made this spring. Thank you very much for your contribution. Sincerely, Julie Nolan Donations must arrive before February 21, 2007 to the below address: Student Union Office C/O Mike Moylan Sacred Heart University 5151 Park Avenue Fairfield, CT 06825 PLEASE make all checks payable to: Sacred Heart University 1/19/2007 ###