Posted: January 22, 2004

Athletics: See You in Athens Fund 'Big Ask' campaign ends January 30th

From www.seeyouinathens.com:

We are almost there! Please help us help more athletes QUALIFY to represent Canada this Summer- they need your help NOW! After receiving over 450 new applications for athlete funding late last year, the See You in Athens Fund is extending our BIG ASK fundraising campaign through January 30th, 2004.

Final qualifying competitions take place in the next few months...many of them internationally. Athletes need funding for plane tickets, food, accommodations. Even for athletes who have pre-qualified for Athens, the next few months require training camps - usually in warmer climates - and that costs $$$$'s!

Here's how YOU can make a difference:

1. Donate as an individual: www.seeyouinathens.com, 416- 487-4442. Whatever you can contribute will help another athlete take another step forward! No donation is too small or too large! And you can put it on MasterCard or other credit cards (via secure online transaction or by toll-free phone), or mail a cheque to our offices:

See You In Athens Fund
721 Queen Street East Suite 210
Toronto, Ontario M4M 1H1

All donations of $25.00 will receive a tax receipt. If you make your donation on line you will receive your tax receipt within 4 minutes.

2. Ask your boss/company to make a corporate donation: www.seeyouinathens.com.

Cash is the most urgent need, but in-kind donations (airmiles, food vouchers, etc.) are most welcomed!

3. For those of you who have already donated - THANK YOU! Please tell your sports-minded friends (and even the couch potatoes!) and encourage them to donate too! You can cut and paste this message into a new message from you with a personalized subject line - so they know it's a personal request from YOU!

The most important link you can send people is this one: www.seeyouinathens.com/5_2Individuals.html.

Each person and each donation makes the difference to our Canadian athletes being successful in 2004 and beyond!

You will be pleased to know that one recent athlete in the sport of Judo is using her See You In Athens "BIG ASK" funding to head to 3 international competitions in China, Korea and Japan, PLUS bring along her coach. Another recipient... a Paralympic athlete... was able to purchase a new racing chair! You'll hear more about these athletes and others in the coming weeks and months!

Thank you in advance for your support - let's not wait until the summer - take action TODAY!

About The See You In Athens Fund

Currently 70% of Canada’s amateur athletes live below the poverty line.* The number is staggering and real. In the four years leading up to the games, most athletes cannot afford proper training, coaching, nutrition or basic living expenses. The See You In Athens Fund will support those athletes whose dreams and goals of winning gold can be realized through our efforts.

The See You In Athens Fund lives and breathes to further strengthen our Canadian pride in our heroes – namely our athletes. Without those men and women who strive for excellence in amateur sport, there would be no 'flag waving' at international competitions.

Mission:

The See You In Canadian Athletes Fund is a non-for-profit organization devoted solely to raising money and awareness for Canada’s amateur athletes. The fund has been set-up to help Canada’s amateur athletes ready for international summer and winter games. Monies donated to the Fund are put directly into the hands of Canadian athletes to support their training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses in preparation for international competition. The mission is to underwrite expenses of as many Canadian amateur athletes as possible, as support is needed years before the medals can be obtained.

* Primary research: Figure based upon information supplied by See You In Athens Fund applicants in October/November 2002.