This is one of many direct mail/email campaigns I completed for the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a nonprofit organization specializing in providing home repairs and replacement for income eligible households. ASP is headquartered in Tennessee and provides critical services across the Central Appalachian region.

This campaign is near and dear to my heart. That's because I was given the opportunity by the agency, Blue Crane Communications, to travel to Tennessee and interview families in their homes about the hardships they were experiencing.

Talking face-to-face to families and hearing their harrowing stories enabled me to write compelling and personalized copy. These letters brought in hundreds of donations that went toward home repairs for the very families I interviewed.

                                    - Belinda

Dear [salutation],

It’s true—our Big Summer Build has finally come to an end.

But, as the leaves start to change throughout the hills and hollers of Appalachia, I’m reminded that your impact will be powerfully felt in the cold months ahead. Especially for Belinda and her family.

For Belinda and her five grandchildren, your kindness has truly been a blessing—one that came just in the nick of time.  

You can read more about how your loving gifts helped ASP surmount a truly impressive obstacle to make Belinda’s house warmer, safer, drier. You’ll find that story and more in your new Fall issue of The Front Porch—hot off the press for your enjoyment.  

I wish you could walk across this bridge, [salutation]. It’s the only way you can really experience just how challenging it is. It sways uncontrollably, it’s high off the ground over a deep creek, and it’s nearly the length of a football field. And it’s the only way to get to Belinda’s house!

Here’s the problem: Belinda’s home needed new flooring and drywall from flooding and termite damage. It needed insulation—the winters were bitterly cold for the family. But when she applied to a different program for help, they had to turn her down. All because of that swinging bridge! 

I hate to think what this family would facing now if Belinda had been forced to take “No” for an answer, if ASP donors like you hadn’t been there to help overcome the challenge of that bridge!

I wish you could’ve seen the joy and gratitude all over Belinda’s face as she gave a tour of her home, pointing out the things ASP fixed. They really did depend on caring friends like you to put their hands and faith to work for this loving and generous grandmother …

Just imagine—without your heartfelt gift, ASP might not have been able to replace the old flooring that was falling through, or insulate the walls to protect from the harsh Appalachian winters, or install new drywall in the boys’ bedroom to fix the flood damage from the creek. 

It’s so delightful to hear Belinda talk about her grandchildren—you can hear the love in her voice when she told us how 6-year-old Wayland loves to pop up in the window of the new back door and yell “Boo!” Belinda is still getting used to the new safety exit, lovingly installed by ASP with the help of kind folks like you.

Belinda and her husband, Arnold, never expected that they would be raising five grandchildren in their small trailer. But when the children’s parents split up and later spent time in jail, Belinda and Arnold stepped in right away. 

Staff member Josh McClenney was the first to come up with the idea of how to transport materials to Belinda’s home. There used to be a road leading to the home, but it was flooded years ago and is no longer safe to cross. So—the bridge was the only way. 

After watching Wayland crossing the bridge on his bike, Josh realized that the old dolly Belinda used for groceries would be perfect. They started by rolling planks and tools across. Later, the staff and volunteers built an even bigger cart on wheels to carry the heavier stuff. 

It brings me joy to say that with your help, ASP was able to come through for Belinda’s family against all odds. And, together, with the blessing of your continued support, we can keep lending a helping hand to good, loving families, like Belinda’s, who so urgently need it.