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Charities we have helped:

United Cerebral Palsy

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

The Warrick Dunn Foundation

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

American Cancer Society

Ronald McDonald House

"Serving Ronald McDonald"

In response to one of my earlier letters, the Kraft Foods people sent me 10 free coupons for their Philadelphia brand cream cheeses.  When I began this site, I promised myself that I would use half of any ad revenue or donations we received to charitable causes.  Now here I was with 10 coupons for free cream cheese and an assignment – to find something creative to do with five of them.

I mulled this one over for a few weeks before coming up with an idea that would both enable me to gift my cream cheeses and write a letter in the process.

This letter is to the people at The Ronald McDonald House in Brookline, Massachusetts.  The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary homes to families with children in need of special medical care that takes them away from their actual hometowns.  Boston hospitals in particular are known for their advanced care facilities.  I know from experience – a few months ago I wrote a letter to the staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for the amazing way we were treated during the recent birth of my daughter.

In addition to cream cheeses, I decided I would offer up a full breakfast.  I do not know if they will let me help set it up or attend the breakfast with the families there.  I am inclined not to stick around anyway – because I think if I had a family member in poor health, the last thing I would want is some blogger walking around my living room patting himself on the back for giving me free breakfast.

I am hoping that they will accept my offer and allow me to bring over some breakfast for those families that are currently residing in The Ronald McDonald House.  Thank you again to the people at Kraft Foods and Philly Cream Cheese.

-----------------------

Dear Ronald McDonald House of Brookline,

I run a website called www.aletteraweek.com, where I write a letter each week and then display any replies or results that come about from the letter.  A few months ago, I authored a letter to the makers of Philadelphia Cream Cheese in regards to their product becoming my favorite food.  I know, it sounds like a joke.  But despite the humorous overtones, the letter was actually quite truthful.

Surprisingly, a month later I received an e-mail from the Brand Manager of Philly Cream Cheese and he loved my letter!  He posted it on the Philly Cream Cheese website and sent me 10 free coupons for Philadelphia Cream Cheese!  I can sense your excitement for me.  (I'm getting to a point here... hang in there please.)

When I started my website, I promised myself that if I ever received any type of revenue or donation that I would give half of it to a good cause.  This gift of 10 free cream cheeses presented me with a quandary.  If I was given straight cash, I could write a nice letter to a charity and send a check.  How am I supposed to give away 5 coupons for free cream cheese?

I mean, sure I could mail them and be done with it.  But that just seems so impersonal and not very much fun.

So I thought that I might give away a free breakfast of bagels and cream cheese to a worthy cause.  It took me a while to come up with a recipient.  Sure, there are many charities out there, but I needed to find one that would truly appreciate this gift.

Thankfully, my family has never had the need to use the charitable things that the Ronald McDonald House offers to the families of injured or ill children.  Families are clearly stronger when they are together, and by providing a place for them to stay in nearby proximity to the hospitals where their children are being treated is a noble cause.

I was hoping that you would allow me to donate some cream cheese, bagels, juice, coffee, eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit or whatever you may need to provide your guests with breakfast one morning (although I must insist it include cream cheese).  I would gladly deliver the goods myself the night before you want them.

I am always moved when I hear about the great work that you do at The Ronald McDonald House.  I hope that you will allow me to share my good fortune (and when it comes to free cream cheese, I do consider it a fortune) by accepting my offer.

Thank you,

Scott Riecke

 

Check out this touching letter on the Ronald McDonald House website.

If you would like to comment on this letter, Scott can be reached at info@aletteraweek.com (please include your name and town).

To see Responses, Results and Reactions to this letter, click here (no responses yet).

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