I'm here to inform you about the Keep A Child Alive program, a non-profit organization whose mission is responding to the urgent need for care for those African children whose lives have been ravaged by AIDS. This devastating disease has left over 28 million dead, 15 million orphaned (and by the time I graduate high school in 2010 it's supposed to reach 25 million!), and is showing no signs of slowing. I am part of a group of students who feel this cause is worth fighting for. We want to be part of the movement that changes this world from the terrors and demons that seem impossible to fight. Africa is calling out to us for help and it's time we answer.

For KCA my friends and I are planning a charity picnic with a bake and craft sale in our local central New Jersey parks. We would like to raise both money and awareness for such a worthy cause. Our board is passionate and excited to be working for this charity, and we have many ideas that we will try to put into action for our tentative dates, April 26 or May 3. We are pulling together all of our diverse talents into making this a success. This is our cause. This is our world. This is our plea. We would like to help as many children as we can and show people around the world you are never alone. It's time we, as a global community, start fighting back against a disease that shows no sign of slowing.

We so far have collected a group of names of volunteers, have gotten local business and indivduals to donate to our cause, and we have recruited local musicians to perform at the event! Everything is going so well right now, despite some major sets backs we've had due to our lack of experience and failure to be taken seriously by the adults that could help us. We may have finally found a location and we are over ecstatic! Also in the project of recruiting volunteers we've informed so many about this deadly pandemic.

You can help by: In-Kind donations (donating items) like forks, knives, etc. your basic picnic goods or carnival items (like cotton candy, popcorn and things like that!) Monetary donations: any amount is much appreciated and welcomed! Musicians: You have a band or you are a performer (dance crew, singer, instrumentalist) let us know! We would love to have you perform at our event and it's great way to get publicity! Volunteers: We are always looking for more volunteers or suggestions so please check us out. Don't just make a change, be the change! If you have any other suggestions or you are interested in our picnic please contact njpicnic4acause@hotmail.com thanks so much! We could never do it without you!