Dear _______________,

Erin Lentz doesn’t need to wait until she graduates from York College next May to know what the working world is like. She already knows.

An elementary education major who is the first in her family to go to college, Erin has worked year round since she was a teenager to earn money for school. Last summer she took two jobs so that she wouldn’t have to work while she student teaches this coming spring.  Her reasoning: she wanted to be alert and energized when she walked into the classroom each day. 

Unfortunately for Erin, an unexpected emergency left her struggling financially. She resigned herself to the fact that she would have to take a part-time job on top of her student teaching responsibilities. There seemed to be no other alternative.

Fortunately for Erin, there was an alternative.

Like many other York College students, she received a scholarship – a lifeline that will relieve some of her financial pressure and allow her to concentrate solely on her student teaching. For many of our students, a scholarship means that they are able to focus on their school work without worrying about making ends meet.  For others, the impact a scholarship has is more dramatic, often meaning the difference between staying in school and having to drop out.

One of the most important funding sources for scholarships here at York is the Annual Fund. Each year, thousands of alumni, parents and friends contribute to the Fund, helping ensure that students like Erin are able to continue their schooling. Many of our donors consider a gift to the Annual Fund one of the purest donations they can make, since they know the money directly helps our students. Some of these donors choose to make large gifts. Others are more modest. I can assure you that all are important. 

This year I am asking you to consider a donation of $______ to the Annual Fund. Not only will it be a gift you can feel good about, it is also a gift that is guaranteed to make a difference in the life of a student like Erin.  To make your gift, please use the enclosed envelope or visit our secure website at https://ycpweb.ycp.edu/giving/.   

I’d like to leave you with a few words from Erin. When asked what she would say to someone who was considering a donation to the Annual Fund, she thought for a minute and then said simply: “Through your donation, you have the power to help someone like me go to school and achieve my life goals.  It’s an amazing gift.”

Sincerely,

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P.S. Last year more than $4.8 million in scholarship support was awarded to 39% of the student body. Financial aid, however, remains vastly under funded. With your support, we can provide more scholarships to deserving students.