Dear Friends and Supporters of CCS Early Learning: We hope this letter finds you well and looking towards Spring. You may be wondering why you didn’t receive an invitation to CCS’s annual Valentine’s Day Banquet. After twenty years of celebrating the programs and successes of CCS with you, while simultaneously asking for your advocacy and financial support, our Board of Directors decided it’s time to move away from the event and to point in a new fundraising direction.  “THANK YOU” seems inadequate to express our sincere gratitude for your long history of "showing the love" to CCS at this fun event - but we are truly thankful for you!   Looking forward, we still must raise funds to ensure that CCS’s programs are available for the most vulnerable children in our community. The federal funding that CCS Early Learning and all Head Start/Early Head Start providers around the country have counted on for so long is at imminent and severe risk of being decreased or even cut completely.  The current situation makes it more important than ever for us to reach out and maintain our LOCAL support from individuals and businesses in our community who see and feel the impact most directly.  CCS services in early childhood education, child nutrition and health, parenting education and family advocacy depend on our ongoing PARTNERSHIP with you! The children and families CCS serves are from low-income homes (family of four - less than $40,190), are homeless, or are in foster care. In fact, as of February 10th; 19% of our enrolled students are homeless and 21% are in foster care. CCS services are vital to their well-being and future success in school and in life. This is your opportunity to continue to help! Will you please join us in making a financial contribution from your desk, your couch, or from your company instead of from your banquet table?  We are asking you to help us raise at least $50,000 to support these important services provided by CCS.  You have been such an amazing community partner to CCS Early Learning in the past, we truly hope you will consider giving again in support of children and families of the Mat-Su Valley. On behalf of CCS Early Learning’s Policy Council, Board of Directors and Dedicated Employees, we truly appreciate your consideration and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739214354/rfyeivrlsr79hq3r3l2e.png" style="width:99px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:bottom;margin-right:5px;margin-left:5px;text-align:center;max-width:calc(100% - 10px);position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> P.S.  Please consider the recurring/monthly donation option.  This allows you to provide support on an ongoing basis and is incredibly helpful to us in projecting out our future revenues. Thank you for your donation - and for sharing this fundraiser with others in your network who care about children and families! Brittany WedgePresident, Parent Policy Council Michelle GrecoChair, Board of Directors Mark LackeyExecutive Director<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739214735/i2p9psb27gtnqfxrm8rr.jpg" style="width:149px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name, Thank you for joining together with CCS Early Learning to support our work! Our mission statement is, "Making a difference in the lives and families of young children within our community..."   and you are helping us to do that! If you have any questions about our organization or the work we do, would like to schedule a tour, or if you are interested in volunteering please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks again, Mark Lackey info@ccsalaska.org

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name, Thank you for any help that you can provide to partner with the work of CCS Early Learning by sharing this giving opportunity with your friends, your family and with others in your network. Your efforts will make a significant impact, and we are excited to have you help us spread the word!  👏 💡 Here are some tips for sharing your campaign:<ol><li style="box-sizing:inherit">Personalize Your Story: Share why this cause is important to you. Personal stories resonate more with potential donors.</li><li style="box-sizing:inherit">Use Social Media: Post about your campaign on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Include the campaign link and a compelling image or video.</li><li style="box-sizing:inherit">Email Your Network: Send a personal email to friends, family, and colleagues explaining why you are fundraising and how they can help.</li><li style="box-sizing:inherit">Regular Updates: Keep your supporters informed with updates on your progress and any milestones you reach. This keeps them engaged and more likely to share your campaign.</li></ol>Thank you! Mark Lackeymlackey@ccsalaska.org