Friends:

You're probably already aware of a program I started four years ago called "Exceeding Expectations," which attempts to re-direct the lives of at-risk, inner-city kids in San Bernardino, California, using the sport of triathlon. Many of you have already contributed generously to keep it going, and to say that it's been a success would be a vast understatement: Despite overwhelming odds, the kids in the program have successfully avoided drifting off into the kind of life that a few years ago seemed all but inevitable. Their grades are up, their behavior in school has been exemplary, and some are even talking about becoming the first in their families to go to college. (Some of you who've been with us since the beginning might have noticed that we no longer refer to the program as the "Cypress Kids." That's because all of the original participants have since graduated from Cypress Elementary, where it all started, but most are still with the program.)

One thing I was unprepared for was the pressure of keeping Exceeding Expectations funded. I thought I'd be spending most of my time with the kids, doing one-on-one training and arranging for them to participate in local triathlon and running events. Unfortunately, it turned out that the majority of my time has been taken up trying to raise money for bikes, shoes, race entry fees, transportation and training supplies. The program is funded entirely by private contributions from generous people such as yourselves.

So our goal for the first half of 2005 is to get enough money into the program to allow me to back off the fundraising a little and spend more time directly with the kids. The target is $10,000 and the vehicle is a program set up by the Ironman organization in conjunction with the Janus Foundation and Active.com. As an athlete competing in an Ironman triathlon in Coeur d'Alene next summer, I'll be able to collect contributions on-line, and we're eligible for some matching money from Janus. For the first time, contributors will be able to use credit cards to make donations, and we're hoping that this kind of convenience will make it easier for people to donate.

The best part is that none of this violates our strict policy of not spending any money whatsoever on administration: All the donated money will go straight to the kids.

And it's fully tax deductible, which brings me to the point of this message. When it comes to these kids, I have no shame. Even if I've hit you up for money before, I'm going to do it again in 2005. The reason I'm telling you about it now is that 2004 is almost over, and if you think you might be willing to donate to this great program next year but could use the tax deduction now, everything is set up for you to do that. There are two ways:

The easiest is to use the Website Janus set up for the program, which will allow you to use a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AmEx). You can get there by clicking on this link:

http://www.active.com/donate/imidaho/expectations

You can also pay by check, payable to "Active Awareness Fund – Exceeding Expectations," and send it to me:

Cherie Gruenfeld

68895 Perez #22-187

Cathedral City, CA 92234

Or, if you don't need the tax deduction this year, you can sit tight, start saving up and wait to get my letter early next year.

By the way, my husband Lee will send a signed first edition of one of his books to anyone contributing $100. For $200 or more, you'll get a first edition of Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief, signed by both Lee and Bill Mason, the subject of the book.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read this. You can't imagine how much of a difference your contribution will make in the lives of these great kids. To learn a little about Exceeding Expectations and see some photos of the kids racing in recent triathlons, please visit my Website: http://www.cheriegruenfeld.com/

We hope all of you have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season and a terrific 2005.

-Cherie