Dear friends,

In the year of our Lord 2009 we are well into our 40th anniversary year as the Diocese of Southwest Florida. At our diocesan convention last October, I called upon the diocesan family to establish and develop the Episcopal Charities Fund of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

I set as a goal that 2,009 Episcopalians in the diocese would each contribute $1,000 to begin this endowment fund. The goal of 2,009 people was simply to observe the 40th diocesan anniversary — 2,010 or more Episcopalians are welcome to participate.

The purpose of the Episcopal Charities Fund is to generate revenue for outreach purposes both within and beyond our diocese. As I said in my convention address, these funds could be used for work in the Dominican Republic, Haitian ministry, refugee resettlement or immediate needs for crisis care through Episcopal Relief and Development.

In addition, this diocese remains committed to the Millennium Development Goals. There also are creative and necessary congregational outreach ministries that seek funding, along with deanery-level outreach needs.

We will not run out of needs to address.

Since convention our diocese has established the Episcopal Charities Fund with contributions totaling approximately $20,000. Some have contributed $1,000, while others have committed to sending $100 a month until they reach $1,000. The point, though, is not the amount. A gift of $5, $25 or $5,000 will help build up this diocesan endowment.

I am grateful to all who have participated thus far and am thankful for those who will help in months and years to come.

I recognize that we are in the midst of difficult economic conditions. I also know that these same conditions intensify the need for Episcopal Charities Fund in our diocesan community. I am not asking us to develop and maintain this fund for this celebratory anniversary year only. I am asking us to faithfully build this fund for the life of the diocese for the next 10, 20, 50 years and more.

We can do this, and it will make a difference. I know of one diocese that established an Episcopal Charities Fund nine years ago and is now able to make grants of $400,000 annually.

I ask you to be one of the 2,009 or more Southwest Florida Episcopalians to contribute to the Episcopal Charities Fund. The seed has already been planted and is growing. Please help it grow and make a difference.

Faithfully yours,

The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith