Here is a sample request letter that works!  -- Do a "copy" from here, "paste" it into your favorite word-processing program, and modify it as you see fit.  Good luck and thanks for your support of our work!

Hi,

It’s September, so it must be “Damascus Community Bike Tour” time! For our friends of many years, this is our third year riding for this charity. To our new friends, we hope that you can become a reliable source for our pledges this year and for many years to come.

The proceeds of the event go to the Rotary Club of Damascus Foundation. This organization supports programs in our area that assist youth at risk, education, environmental issues, health and international relationships and understanding. Over the past few years, they have supported college scholarships, community beautification projects, youth spelling bee competitions, after-school skills and strategy based learning programs, polio eradication efforts in underdeveloped countries and camp scholarships for children having or recovering from serious forms of cancer. Katie competed in the spelling bee this last year and placed in the top five spots and John was the recipient of a $250 college scholarship!

We hope we can count on your contribution. Help us to raise more funds for this organization this year than we have previously dreamed of so we can be the top fundraiser and receive a trip for four to WISP Resort in western Maryland!

You can mail me your donation using the enclosed self-addressed envelope or use your credit card and make your donation on-line.  To make your donation on-line, logon to http://www.damascusrotary.org/biketour2002/index.html.  Just click on the "Donate New" button and follow the instructions to make your pledge by credit card.  Be sure to put my name in the Dedication line so that they know your donation should be added to my pledge sheet.

Hope you can help me and this organization achieve our goals!

Sincerely,