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International Cuisine Conference on Traditional Asian Diet Panaji, Goa, September 2-5, 2007 - http://www.indologygoa.in Online Media Partner: http://www.goanet.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Friends and Well Wishers, I am writing to solicit your support for my race at the upcoming Rock & Roll ½ marathon on October 14th, 2007 in San Jose, California. I have committed to run this event for worthy causes under the auspices of "Goa Sudharop" - a tax exempt charitable organization with 501c3 status, focused and dedicated towards the preservation of the environment and Goa's natural beauty, and the betterment of the unfortunate and underprivileged in the rural and village communities of Goa. Please visit www.goasudharop.org for more information. My personal goal at the time of registration was 120 minutes. But as Murphy would have it I find myself dogged by knee pains with just as many diagnosis - chondro-malacia, bursites, torn meniscus etc, as the physicians and therapist consulted. However the cause is too compelling and the need too dire and my challenge, as with everything else in life, is to find the right balance as I train to the finish line. Goa Sudharop has dedicated this year for the Environment. Many of us are painfully aware of the pillaging of land by corporations and corrupt politicians that threatens to forever tarnish this natural beauty and the myriad challenges faced on the environmental front. It cries out for grass roots level mobilization to thwart such gross violations of the law and the mindless greed of trusted custodians and the reckless and utter disregard to preservation of our environment. I am dedicating my run to Goa Sudharop's mission in general and also to "Helping Hands" a shelter in a remote village for the homeless, the destitute and impoverished fellow citizens. I was painfully aware of and had felt first hand the need to pursue this for quite sometime. But I found myself taking cover under good excuses of lack of time or the personal resolve to get it underway, until my visit to Goa this summer. I am greatly inspired and humbled by the selfless and admirable work of the members of Goa Sudharop as well as the pioneers of "Helping Hands". I have firm conviction that with your support I will be able to surmount the obstacles and do the best I can towards these goals. I appreciate your help in any or all shape or form: - A tax deductible donation made out to Goa Sudharop for my run - Tips on training - Injury prevention / recovery. - Running strategy etc. I greatly appreciate your support and sincerely thank you all in advance. Please feel free to forward this on as you deem fit to anyone passionate about supporting the cause. I pledge to personally match every dollar upto $1000 that you pledge in support of my race. I will keep you posted on the outcome after the race on October 14th. Sincerely, Neufito P.S. Please make your Tax Deductible donation checks payable to "Goa Sudharop", with my name on the memo line and mail them to the address below or hand them in person: Goa Sudharop c/o Acaria Almeida, Treasurer 18 Wimpole street Moraga, CA, 94556 Also please email Acaria at [EMAIL PROTECTED] so she can keep track of total donations (and cc [EMAIL PROTECTED])