December 19, 2022
Dear Parents and Alumni,
You are receiving this correspondence because our records show that you are a parent of an alumni or an alumni of the James Logan High School Forensics Speech and Debate program (the “Program”). As you know, Dr. Tommie Lindsey Jr., who founded the program in 1989, and his successor coaches have helped put the diverse community of Union City on the national map for forensics competition excellence—consecutively winning the School of Excellence Award for over two decades straight since its inception into the National Forensics League (now the National Speech and Debate Association). For more information about the current progress of the program, please visit: www.jamesloganforensics.org/results.
Unfortunately, however, the Program has been struggling economically due to a lack of funding, recognition and overall support from the school district and community at large. The Program has annual expenses of approximately Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), but does not generate enough income through student contributions, invitational income, corporate contributions and current fundraising efforts to cover such expenses, which include these significant line items:
∙ Employee Payroll – approx. $70,000.00
∙ External Coaches – approx. $57,000.00
∙ Tournament Transportation – approx. $70,000.00
∙ Tournament Lodging – approx. $75,000.00
∙ Tournament Admission Fees – approx. $25,000.00
∙ Tournament Staffing/Judging Fees – approx. $12,000.00
∙ Professional Services – approx. $12,000.00
∙ Books/Supplies/Subscriptions – approx. $13,000.00
∙ Taxes – approx. $10,000.00
.
As such, Friends of Forensics has organized the first JHLS Forensics Alumni “All In!” fundraising campaign to help students continue to fulfill their personal, academic and professional objectives through participating in the Program. Friends of Forensics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Program to help continue its mission of being a life-altering, motivational and championship caliber program for the diverse student population of Union City, California
Our ability to continue this much needed program relies upon the generous contributions from alumni like you. Will you consider making a gift to the team of at least $250? This can, for example, pay for one student’s admission fees for up to five tournaments. Donations can be provided on a recurring or one-time basis. Company matching is also available.
As a source of friendly competition, the alumni class(es) with the highest percentages of contributions of at least $250 will be honored on the Friends of Forensics and JLHS Forensics websites and social media platforms. The JHLS Forensics Alumni All In! fundraising campaign has started and will end on January 16, 2023, as we wrap up our MLK Invitational. Our Tax ID number for donations is: 94-3228131. To donate, please go to: www.jamesloganforensics.org/allin.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important cause.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tommie Lindsey Jr.