Request for Donation

July 18, 2011

Dear Potential Donor:

I am writing to you on behalf of Zebedee Hall, an amazing individual who is entering his second year of college as a full time Criminal Justice major. Mr. Hall is an Army veteran who, in addition to his school work, works as a mentor to young boys with the aim of steering them away from crime and prison; guiding them to college and beyond.  He is a very unique person who loves life and all types of people. Lately; however, he has not been his normal upbeat self because of his inability to secure employment or pay for funeral expenses associated with the recent (July 4, 2011) murder or his son. I have personally witnessed this man go from pure excitement regarding a potential job, to complete confusion and depression after being rejected. I fear if he does not secure employment soon, or receive some source of financial assistance, he will fall victim to recidivism. Being that he is not able to assist his wife and daughter financially, particularly during their time of bereavement; he appears to be especially stressed.

The reason for my letter is simple.  I do not want to see a person try so hard to change his life, and to make a difference in the lives of young at risk boys; only to fall victim to recidivism. This society’s inability to provide a second chance to a non-violent offender, who has paid an enormous debt, has the potential to harm this man’s life and the lives of his family. Therefore, it is my personal goal to raise money and financial aid toward his educational expenses, his son’s funeral costs, and to provide financial support toward the family’s general needs. If there is ever an individual worthy of your donations, it would be Mr. Zebedee Hall.  

It is my mission to raise at least $20,000 in support of this wonderful man.  A donation between 20.00 to 100.00 dollars would go a long way toward his future. Please find attached a scholarship recommendation letter prepared by Stephanie N. Austin, his student advisor, which further demonstrates how amazing this man truly is.

To some $20.00 to $100.00 may seem like a lot of money. However, I assure you it will be for a worthy cause.  Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/6dnns to donate.  Every dollar counts, so no matter what the amount, it will mean a great deal to me and the future of a very special individual. Your donation may very well save a life, and let’s not forget your donation is 100% tax-deductible!

Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated and I want to thank you, in advance, for your generosity and your willingness to help me achieve this goal.  If you have any questions or would like further information about Zebedee, please read the attached Letter of Recommendation.

Very Sincerely,

Cassandra Johnson

**ATTACHMENT**

TRiO Student Support Services

16000 E. Centretech Parkway, Student Center 101

Aurora, Colorado 80011

Phone: 303-340-7108 || Fax: 303-340-7523

Web: http://www.ccaurora.edu/triosss  

Email: triosss@ccaurora.edu 

May 26, 2011

Mr. Bradley Jacobson

16000 E. Centretech Parkway

Aurora, Colorado 80011

Dear Mr. Jacobson and Committee:

Please accept this letter recommending Zebedee Hall, S01660807, for a CCA Foundation scholarship.  I know Zebedee through his participation in TRiO Student Support Services (SSS), a program that began at CCA in February of this year, and work with him closely in my capacity as his advisor.

In his novel Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden wrote, “A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory.”  Given his aspiration to earn a Juris Doctorate, the road ahead of Zebedee is a long one.  If any student has the potential to graduate from law school, I believe it is Zebedee.  Not only has he done very well in his classes, but also he recently took the Accuplacer and scored so high that he qualified for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) in College Composition.   He has a brilliant mind and as the United Negro College Fund slogan asserts, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  Moreover, he is incredibly intentional in how he approaches his education.  As a non-traditional student and someone re-entering mainstream society after serving time in prison, Zebedee participated in CCA’s Orientation and took computer classes first so that he would have the skills necessary to perform well in his other classes.  In addition, he sought out the TRiO program in order to receive the additional support he desired as he continued his education.  Every decision Zebedee makes is for the benefit of both his short and long term goals.   It is such a privilege to work with a student so earnest and resolute in his educational endeavors.

While Zebedee is more than capable of earning a law degree and has the fortitude to move mountains, there is room for doubt when it comes to the feasibility of financing his education both because of the number of years of school still ahead of him as well as his criminal past.  Until Zebedee is able to obtain a college degree and has more doors open to him, he faces unique challenges securing employment that are only exacerbated by the current economy.  A scholarship would not only help dispel the doubt, but it would also be a long term investment in an individual who has so much to offer the community once he has completed the course to victory.

Best,

Stephanie N. Austin