Happy Holidays! Help Us Rebuild America in 2011

December 20, 2010

Dear Friend,

I bring you good tidings of great joy in this Season of the Savior. As the year 2010 comes to an end, it's time to reflect on the challenges facing our nation. Many families have lost homes, are in foreclosure, or are feeling the overwhelming weight of escalating costs and depreciating home value. Unemployment continues and people are burdened with unprecedented levels of student loan and credit card debt.

Over 40 years ago, Dr. King appointed me the national director of Operation Breadbasket here in Chicago to focus on jobs, fair housing, workers' rights, and economic inequality. Rainbow PUSH remains a progressive civil rights organization true to the course of fighting for justice, economic equality, and comprehensive public policy and legislative solutions to our most pressing social needs.

This holiday season is a time to renew our mission to: feed the hungry, heal the sick, house the poor, and bring comfort to the broken hearted. Renew our mission to "speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute...defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9 NRSV)

So much more work must be done. While Congress is extending tax cuts to the rich, jobs are not being created. Fifty-nine million Americans are without health insurance, 49 million Americans are living in poverty and 41 million are on food stamps. In 2011, we must focus on alleviating poverty, creating jobs and economic recovery. That's our focus everyday at Rainbow PUSH and we need your support.

Millions of families are at risk of losing their homes. Foreclosures continue to outstrip loan modifications. One in four homes are "under water," and now churches are facing foreclosures too. Our families and communities are in great need and we must galvanize our energies to serve our people through this crisis. Much more work must be done.

So I ask you to join our crusade to "Rebuild America with Jobs, Justice and Peace"; to heed the Word of Jesus the Christ, not Santa the Claus, and remain true to our faith and mission. Character is measured by how we treat the least of these, and we are called upon to act, to serve, to lift the boats stuck at the bottom. Indeed, much more work must be done. Please consider making a contribution to our crusade.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season.


Keep Hope Alive!



Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

President and Founder

Rainbow PUSH Coalition