Honoring a Memory

With the holidays coming, some of you might be considering various charities or non-profits to donate to, and I ask you to consider this:

My high school friends will remember Sara Later from the good ol' days of SUA. Sadly her nephew recently passed away from a long battle with cancer and her family has organized a non-profit in his memory (text reprinted below):

1009 Elmwood Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091-1711
JLater@generalcable.com

As many of you know our nephew, Jeffrey Stephen Lamont, lost his 6 year battle to bone cancer. How he lived his last 6 years was truly amazing and courageous. Jeff had a dream to make it to his 21st birthday and did that. Now Jeff's family and many friends have a dream to honor Jeff and we need your help.

Jeff Lamont grew up vacationing in the woods and waters of Leelanau County Michigan. Jeff Lamont loved the lake waters and hiking in the area woods. During his 6 year battle Jeff developed a keen interest in the environment and wanted to do more to help the cause. It is our dream to create a lasting legacy in the area to complete his work and honor Jeff's life.

40 acres of wooded land near Christmas Cove are designated as the Jeff Lamont Preserve and through the Leelanau Conservancy will be preserved forever in his honor. Free from the developers and saving the valuable hardwoods. The Leelanau Conservancy is one of the designated charities for memorial gifts in Jeff's name. Our family would be honored for a tax deductible gift to help raise over $100,000 to purchase the land and help make the dream a reality.

The task is daunting, but we are determined to raise the funds. Feel free to pass this request onto others who can help this dream to honor Jeff Lamont.

On behalf of the Later and Lamont families, thank you!
Jeff Later

Tax Deductible Donations to:
The Leelanau Conservancy (a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charity)
c/o The Jeff Lamont Memorial Fund
105 N. First Street
Leland, MI 49654

P.S. Our letter will touch many hearts, but also may raise the question, "why should I donate for a memorial?" Our appeal does not fund a local school endowment; help the homeless or those in need. But it does help the environment. Jeff's cancer started during his freshman year in high school and he was given months to live. He used the time during his long battle wisely and developed the interest in nature and the environment. Jeff had big plans in life and the effort to secure this land is our way of completing one of his dreams. Visit www.theconservancy.com