Giving Back
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During the past 8.5 years I've been canvassing on behalf of Planned Parenthood through Grassroots Campaigns. Many of you have met me through my work at Fort Greene Farmers Market, where, with your help I have raised over $350,000 for Planned Parenthood.
Unexpectedly, this past December, after my shift, I went into the office to be informed that Grassroots Campaigns was not doing Plannned Parenthood in New York , and it would be my final day with the canvass .Without warning I was out of work. After this posting I finally heard that the canvass was suspended indefinitely .We live in a society that does not reward its elders despite a lifetime of knowledge, experience and accomplishment. Sending out resumes has not worked because whoever reads it knows by my accomplishments that I am not 23 and fresh from college. I will not allow this to deter me from my mission.On the contrary, now is a grand opportunity to fullfill my most important desires .I believe that only two emotions motivate all human activity - Love or Fear. Long ago I chose Love. We are in such a fear-base world that is run by lies and illusion. I remain committed to being the Love. And everything that I desire is rooted in that love. There is an old saying : "when everything changes--change everything !"
I am being evicted from my current space which is a rather detailed matter to explain. To simplify it, I am not the tenant of record (who is deceased ) and as a result the rent increase that will transpire is way out of my financial range. So, I have to leave by the end of April. At this moment ,I do not know where. Homelessness is not an option.
I am at a juncture in which I have four things to do:
1. Find a place to live.
2. Write a book that covers important aspects of my life as well as the street canvassing experience (I bet some of you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes!).
3. Pursue performance opportunities singing jazz in Denmark. (yes, I am a jazz vocalist ).
4. I would like to complete the voice-over training that I started to facilitate a voice-acting career.
For most of my life I have been committed to helping others. Now I am calling on you to help me. Thererfore, I request a total of $20,000 to meet the aforementioned objectives.
During my career as a journalist and editor of both international and national magazines, I fearlessly addressed a number of important issues .
I wrote the first article in a national publication on Agent Orange; shortly afterwards I exposed a transformer company in Warren County, North Carolina for dumping PCB's on people's farmland.I gave Denzel Washington his first play review in a national publication as well as his first cover story interview. I also saved the Apollo Theatre from being turned into a church. When I heard this I researched the history of the Apollo and subsequently wrote a cover story article "The Apollo Theatre--Springboard for Black Stardom. After the article appeared Percy Sutton bought the Apollo thus keeping the tradition alive .
For nearly ten years I have been the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the nation. Some of the organizations that I have championed include, ACLU, Save The Children, ASPCA, Environmental Action, Sierra Club and notably being the premier grassroots fundraiser (I call it "'conduit for empowerment ') for Planned Parenthood both the Action Fund and the Federation. I also volunteered for the local Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger location on Bleecker Street. Over the years I have also worked on a number of elections in Long Island, New Jersey, Albany, Colorado and Chicago.
Again these are my goals:
First I will write the book and I desire the money needed for a stable living space so that I can focus on the writing. : Second renting out rehearsal space and hiring musicians to create promotional materials for booking gigs in Denmark (Ihave a contact there ) as well as travel expenses once the gigs are booked. Third,complete voice-over training. I also have physical proof to support my life of accomplishment. Clearly, I have helped millions of people over an eventful lifetime . Now, I desire some help, at last, for myself .
Thanking in advance all supporters who would like to help me attain these goals.
Unexpectedly, this past December, after my shift, I went into the office to be informed that Grassroots Campaigns was not doing Plannned Parenthood in New York , and it would be my final day with the canvass .Without warning I was out of work. After this posting I finally heard that the canvass was suspended indefinitely .We live in a society that does not reward its elders despite a lifetime of knowledge, experience and accomplishment. Sending out resumes has not worked because whoever reads it knows by my accomplishments that I am not 23 and fresh from college. I will not allow this to deter me from my mission.On the contrary, now is a grand opportunity to fullfill my most important desires .I believe that only two emotions motivate all human activity - Love or Fear. Long ago I chose Love. We are in such a fear-base world that is run by lies and illusion. I remain committed to being the Love. And everything that I desire is rooted in that love. There is an old saying : "when everything changes--change everything !"
I am being evicted from my current space which is a rather detailed matter to explain. To simplify it, I am not the tenant of record (who is deceased ) and as a result the rent increase that will transpire is way out of my financial range. So, I have to leave by the end of April. At this moment ,I do not know where. Homelessness is not an option.
I am at a juncture in which I have four things to do:
1. Find a place to live.
2. Write a book that covers important aspects of my life as well as the street canvassing experience (I bet some of you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes!).
3. Pursue performance opportunities singing jazz in Denmark. (yes, I am a jazz vocalist ).
4. I would like to complete the voice-over training that I started to facilitate a voice-acting career.
For most of my life I have been committed to helping others. Now I am calling on you to help me. Thererfore, I request a total of $20,000 to meet the aforementioned objectives.
During my career as a journalist and editor of both international and national magazines, I fearlessly addressed a number of important issues .
I wrote the first article in a national publication on Agent Orange; shortly afterwards I exposed a transformer company in Warren County, North Carolina for dumping PCB's on people's farmland.I gave Denzel Washington his first play review in a national publication as well as his first cover story interview. I also saved the Apollo Theatre from being turned into a church. When I heard this I researched the history of the Apollo and subsequently wrote a cover story article "The Apollo Theatre--Springboard for Black Stardom. After the article appeared Percy Sutton bought the Apollo thus keeping the tradition alive .
For nearly ten years I have been the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the nation. Some of the organizations that I have championed include, ACLU, Save The Children, ASPCA, Environmental Action, Sierra Club and notably being the premier grassroots fundraiser (I call it "'conduit for empowerment ') for Planned Parenthood both the Action Fund and the Federation. I also volunteered for the local Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger location on Bleecker Street. Over the years I have also worked on a number of elections in Long Island, New Jersey, Albany, Colorado and Chicago.
Again these are my goals:
First I will write the book and I desire the money needed for a stable living space so that I can focus on the writing. : Second renting out rehearsal space and hiring musicians to create promotional materials for booking gigs in Denmark (Ihave a contact there ) as well as travel expenses once the gigs are booked. Third,complete voice-over training. I also have physical proof to support my life of accomplishment. Clearly, I have helped millions of people over an eventful lifetime . Now, I desire some help, at last, for myself .
Thanking in advance all supporters who would like to help me attain these goals.
Organizer
Claude Reed
Organizer
New York, NY