This is a repost of yesterday's diary, which seemed to attract the lunch crowd. Hopefully today, the breakfast crowd will have a chance to offer their help.
Plus, we were issued a challenge by a Second Amendment fan yesterday afternoon. (This fundraiser has nothing to do with 2A, but the guy seems to be a critic of the low-dollar goal and our -- ahem -- "pace" in meeting that goal.)
Read the repost of yesterday's request below the fold.
"My friends..."
If you believe in the 50-state strategy and value the work of grassroots volunteers organizing in our neighborhoods and communities all across the country, please help keep one of those local efforts going this year.
I and a few friends have been trying to raise funds online for the Wheeling Township Democrats for a few days now. This is vitally important because our Dem organization is smack dab in the middle of Chicago's historically Republican northwest suburbs.
I say "historically" because, thanks to the hard work of many people (one hard-nosed individual in particular), this neck of the woods is definitely turning purple, if not downright blue.
The Wheeling Township Democratic Organization covers the Chicago suburbs of Arlington Heights, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights, Wheeling and more.
Last year, 2006, for the first time since the 1800s we elected a Democratic state Senator to a district that covers a good portion of our township.
This year, 2008, in addition to the now incumbent Dem state Senator, we have strong candidates running as challengers plus one who is running for an open seat.
All are working with volunteers from the Wheeling Township Dems. In fact, the Wheeling Twp Dems (along with the Palatine Twp Dems from "next door") operate and maintain the only permanent open office in the northwest Chicago suburbs.
In addition to the candidates, activists and others who come to speak at the regular meetings at that office, it also serves as a base for candidates running for everything from local legislative races to Dan Seals for Congress to volunteers from Obama, Clinton, Kucinich, Richardson and more (and in 2003/4 the Wheeling Dems' office was also open to Deaniacs and more...).
The driving force behind all this activity was the late Township Committeeman Pat Botterman. Pat passed away two months ago, way too young at 44.
It was Pat's leadership that laid the foundation for much of this activity. He went out and found the Dems in an area that most wrote off as a Republican stronghold. He fought the good fight against both Republicans and "machine" Dems.
...And when there weren't enough funds in the bank to cover a month's rent or pay the utilities, Pat dug deep and covered those costs himself.
Now, in the wake of his passing, we are raising funds to keep his legacy of patriotism, integrity and activism alive.
Our modest goal of $750 covers one month's rent and expenses at the office.
The only permanent office in the area.
The only office that has consistently driven a 50-state strategy before there even was such a thing.
If you can forego sipping that latte for today, or skip buying that new pair of Birkenstocks, or maybe hold off on purchasing that new Volvo... please donate what you can. ;)
It will be put to a very good use supporting an all-volunteer office which helps elect Dems to local and Federal positions.
Thank you!
DONATE: Wheeling Township Democrats