Sample Letter Dear…

                                               Sample Letter



Dear Friend,

   I want to bring your attention to a wonderful organization, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS is a
nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and preserving America's most scenic drive, the Blue Ridge
Parkway. We are a National Park Service Parkway Partner, celebrating 17 years of service to the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Your support of our organization could assist a great deal in achieving our goals.

Listed below are a few of our on-going projects for 2006:

Saving Parkway Views: FRIENDS' signature program is saving Parkway views through restoring views. FRIENDS
plants trees to protect the Parkway views from commercial and residential development. This program is a model
nationally. Over a year ago a national organization, Scenic America, designated a 28-mile section of the Parkway as a
Last Chance Landscape. FRIENDS currently needs $79,250 to restore Parkway views at four sites identified by the
Park Service.

Volunteers In the Park: FRIENDS recruits volunteers for the entire 469 miles of the Parkway. Volunteers staff the
Visitor Centers, living museums, kids' programs, historical re-enactments, and much more. We are currently focused
on generating $56,780 for support. Without the volunteers, the Park Service would have diminished Parkway
experiences for its visitors. The National Park Service has had a $600 million budget shortfall that severely impacts
park services. Volunteers make the critical difference to provide much needed services to the Parkway.

Trails Forever Program: The Parkway has over 100 trails that cover over 350 miles. FRIENDS advocates for
community involvement-inspiring individuals and groups to invest time and energy in maintaining Parkway trails.
FRIENDS' current goal is $41,840 for equipment, bridges and trail construction. Adopt-A-Trail volunteers have
cleared hundreds of trees since the hurricanes last fall. Equipment is needed to remove trees and continue to help with
not only clearing the trees but annual trail maintenance.

"Save the Hemlocks": FRIENDS is raising much needed funds for "Save the Hemlocks." Funds are being provided
to approved institutions for the research needed and release of the predators that can "Save the Hemlocks."

    Please review the additional enclosed information about our organization. I hope you will consider joining Friends
today! One fact is eminently clear. As the Friends group for this national park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, we are
committed to preserving the Parkway, a Southern Appalachian treasure. Your membership in Friends will make a
difference!

Thanks for your support!


Bill Hackworth
Board Member