We

Need

YOU ...

To make this year's

Mayor's Shining Star Gala

A Success!

Better Beginnings has been serving our community by providing affordable, high-quality childcare and pre-school education to hard working families since 1967. We are proud to be one of only 13 organizations in the country to receive the National Latino Children's Institute's "La Promesa de un Futuro Brillante" 2002 Award, which states, "It requires ingenuity, persistence, and sheer smarts to build a program that reaches out into the community and delivers culturally and linguistically appropriate services." Closer to home, Better Beginnings was also named one of the three best child care centers in Central Jersey by readers of the Packet Newspapers in 2002.

On April 25th, 2004, the mayors of East Windsor and Hightstown will be hosting the 11th annual Mayors' Shining Star Gala to benefit Better Beginnings, which is a non-profit service organization. This is our single most important annual fundraising event, and we can't do it successfully without a little help from our friends.

The awards annually recognize an individual, organization, and business or corporation who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the welfare of others, made an impact on the community and the lives of others, and shown that service to the community can make a difference. This year's Shining Star Awards will honor retired EWRSD teacher Binnie Thom, the Latina Women's Council, and Brace Place.

Here's where you come in-- and believe it or not, we're NOT asking you for money! We all know that this is a small community, and the same people are often asked to support these events. However, everybody knows somebody, and there are a lot of new neighbors, new businesses and new resources in town. We need YOU to help us connect with them! We will provide you with all the information you need to make requests, or if you prefer, just give us their contact information and we will follow up.

We need CORPORATE SPONSORS! Perhaps you work for (or do business with) a company who would like to be involved with this fantastic organization or would benefit from increased community exposure. Sponsorship levels are listed on the following page, along with prices for businesses or individuals who might opt to place an advertisement in our Shining Star Gala program.

We also need DONATED ITEMS & SERVICES FOR AUCTION! Perhaps you frequent a retail business or service provider (such as a restaurant, hair salon, or business supply store) who would be willing to donate products or services. Gift certificates are especially appreciated. Donations of new items are also gladly accepted from individuals.

We hope you can support our efforts by using your resources to connect us with the sponsors, advertisers and auction donors who can make our fundraising event a success. You can also help by talking with friends and neighbors who might like to join us at the Shining Star Gala on April 25th, so they can connect with other people who care about serving our community.

Better Beginnings serves the needs of an ever-increasing population of working poor families in our community. Government funding for such organizations is being funneled away at an alarming rate. If we don't take care of our neighbors, we will surely bear the consequences in the future. Working together, with each of us doing our small part, we can make a big difference in our community's future.

Thank you so much for your participation and support. Please call me at (609) 448-1584 or e-mail kpete@comcast.net if you have questions or ideas on how to help.