November 2006

Dear Friend,

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund. We are writing to ask you to consider a gift to honor 20 years of kindness and caring.

Since its inception, SoS has raised more than $51 million to help thousands of residents in nine Bay Area counties. For more than 5,000 people each year, SoS often can mean the difference between stability and a life on the street. SoS has become one of the largest sources of emergency support for people faced with unexpected setbacks that can spin normal lives into crisis.

People like Karl Diaz Hoffman, a 71-year old man whose debilitating stroke forced him to resign from his demanding, full-time job. Without a nest egg to fall back on, his bills piled up quickly: rent, food, medical expenses. Season of Sharing stepped in to pay part of his rent at a critical time. Now fully recovered, Mr. Diaz has found work and is back on his feet.

Please join us in supporting this year’s 20th Anniversary campaign. With your support and others like you, SoS will be able to continue to extend a helping hand to thousands of our neighbors in crisis. We wish you and yours a warm, safe and happy holiday season.

With deep appreciation,