By Linda Zelig
MnSF Development Manager

It never fails to amaze me - there must be as many stories about why people are members of the Minnesota Senior Federation as there are members. It's the best part about being here. I get to hear your story. Often it's an issue that galvanized you to action and the Federation provided a means to act on it. In other instances, a Federation program helped you out and you decided to turn around and help others. It happens a lot around here.

By the time you read this column, you will have received another mailing from the Federation asking you to support the programs you, our members, have built - programs that offer information, services and opportunities to change a corner of the world around you. The health program deals with many facets of health care, health care access and outreach to people who may not be aware of help that's available to them. The affordable housing program comprises activist members of the Senior Federation called to action at the state legislature to preserve affordable housing and the ability of seniors to live in their own homes. The Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project maintains an attorney on staff to deal in pension protection and pension recovery for retirees. In the last four years, more than 50 clients have been assisted with reclaiming $3.7 million.

It's easy to toss those appeal letters aside and think you'll deal with it later or maybe not at all. But I encourage you to read this particular letter. You see, you wrote it. The letter has no fancy gimmicks designed to compel you to put your hand in your pocket and dole out yet another contribution. These stories came to us just as people wrote them in thanks for the work of the Senior Federation. And while thanks are very much appreciated, it doesn't complete the job. Your financial support is vital.

Read the letter - know that you've made a difference in someone's life, better yet, in many lives. Thank you for caring as much as you do about your neighbors and fellow citizens who rely on this organization.

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