The last year has been a difficult one for us financially. I have tried to provide the resources we need for our shut-ins as inexpensively as possible. The tragedy of 9/11 and the volatile stock market have affected the funding that foundations give to nonprofits and charities. Every day I watch the mail and donations. Last year 2 bequests helped us immeasurably - we would have had a large deficit without them.

AFF is dependent upon the generosity of its donors - we are not a “fee for service” agency. Everything we do for our shut-ins is FREE to them - faithful to my original dream when I founded AFF way back in 1974 (seems so long ago).

I ask you, when writing your Last Will and Testament, please consider Aid For Friends as one of your beneficiaries. You may be assured, AFF expends its funds in the most cost-effective way we can. We are audited every year by an accounting firm, Goldenberg Rosenthal (every dollar is accounted for). This newsletter is Aid For Friends” primary fund raising tool. We do not pay a fundraiser or consultant, nor do we do costly Direct Mail. On a daily basis, I (along with the help of my staff) sometimes write proposals to foundations and sometimes to corporations for funding. We rely upon the generosity of our volunteers, donors and the word of our good works and proposal writing. I have always hoped those avenues would sustain us - and they have - for 28 years, and hopefully for many years to come.

Steven, our Director of Finance and Administration, will design a computer-generated attractive plaque that can be changed each year, for those who have left bequests of $2,000 or more through the years. Major gifts will be highlighted. All gifts are welcome and appreciated.

If you have any questions , please call  Steven at 215 464-2224 for a gift that will not only be for our current shut-ins but, hopefully, for the future exponentially - aging inform population. Because of our dedicated volunteers and staff, AFF is a compassionate, effective organization - God willing, we will always be so.

Steven Schiavone

Executive Director