In 3 days we have raised $16,000 in donations and gotten a $10,000 pledge which will be honored the instant we have raised $90,000. The person who has made that pledge is not a wealthy man and he lives in West Duluth. He has fought with Let Duluth Vote for two years. Last night at our meeting he said in all seriousness We’re not going to raise the money. God love him I intend to make a liar out of him and collect his pledge.
Every cent we’ve raised so far has come from 25 paltry people – 25 PEOPLE!! That’s not enough in a town where 65,000 people are on our side.
Michelle Bensen will be passing out a couple flyers in the Ordean neighborhood with a note I’ve typed up attached. If we are going to raise the rest of the $25,000 in seven days -WHILE I’M AWAY IN CALIFORNIA – (“we” meaning people on the ground in Duluth) have got to hustle our little fannies. This is the note I’m having Michelle take door to door.
I’ve heard some folks are anticipating as much as a 30% drop in the value of Ordean homes because of the Red Plan. That’s over $50 thousand on a $170,000 house.
If the Sixth District Court issues an injunction because of our suit it will last all summer until a few days before four new school board members are elected on Nov 3rd. Ordean High will be history. All we need is a $100,000 bond. In three days we’ve raised $20,000 and gotten a pledge for the last $10,000 once we’ve raised $90,000.
There are 200 plus Ordean homes. If 3/4th of them contributed an average of $500 we’d
have $75,000, enough for the Bond and the injunction. We have seven days to raise it.So far only 25 people have contributed or pledged but they’ve raised $30,000.
$500 vs. $50,000. Take your pick. If we win our case you’ll get $500 back. If we lose the case you’ll only be out $500 because your home values will stop free falling.I can’t afford it but I just put $10,000 in myself and I’m not worried about my house. I just
don’t like bullies stealing my vote and spending $350,000 to level my neighbor’s houses
for parking lots because I’m too stubborn to move. How about you?blockquote>I need to ressurect you for seven days. We need the rest of the money and the sooner the better because the Sixth District Court won’t take promises – only a cashiers check on the barrel head. If we’ve got $100,000 in checks but some of them still have a few days to be processed in the banks on June 30th WE’VE GOT NOTHING!
We need face-to-face requests for money and I’ve just given you the pitch I’d give to Ordean neighbors. This email is being sent to our LDV group as well. Like your’s most of our followers have faded away in despair. After two years of getting to court there is now hope. If we get an injunction it will be like cutting off a snake’s head.
Fundraising is not a spectator sport. I hate asking people on the phone or face to face for money…….I HATE IT. Writing a persuasive letter is my forte and if someone throws it in the garbage I don’t have to take it personally. This is exactly what you will have to do and you can do it hiding behind my note. Knock on a door, show it to a family member or a friend who sympathizes with you. Tell them you’ve made a contribution you can’t afford to stop this nightmare and that this is your last gasp. Ask them, “Will you help me?” That’s all. If they can’t help thank them for their time and to give them a little solace for disappointing you by asking them if they have a suggestion for someone else who might be able and willing to help. REREAD THIS PARAGRAPH OVER AND OVER UNTIL YOU COMMIT IT TO MEMORY. Show – them – the – note – and – wait – while – they – read – it. That will take three minutes tops. Then tell them, you’ve – made – a – contribution – you – can’t – afford – to – stop – this – nightmare – and – that – this – is – your – last – gasp. Ask them, “Will – you – help – me? Even the most timid among you could get four contributions in an evening if you asked 25 people for help with this simple request.
In the next email I’ll lay out the “how to”. Please read it. You can refine our seven day campaign here on the ground while I make fundraising calls from California. PLEASE CALL MICHELLE NOW 525-3678 (and let her know you will give her a hand. Have her print more leaflets and cover all of Ordean today. Its sunny out. You can do it till nine because we’re near the solstice. You will give your neighbors hope they desperately need if you knock on their door. If one of them came to your door would you feel any differently?
$25,000 down with $75,000 to go. You can do this. The snake deserves it.
Harry
