Thank you for your excellent article about Federation’s 2010 Annual Community Campaign and Challenge Grant (Dec. 1). I want to address a possible misinterpretation. The article correctly reported the Community Campaign total at $6.5 million as of November. When compared to a 2009 total in excess of $10.2 million, some readers may think this represents an astronomical loss. Although we are running seriously behind, we always get a disproportionately large portion of our campaign in December, when many donors make their philanthropic decisions. That is why the challenge is so important now. I am pleased to report that in just this first week, the challenge is working, with many donors coming forward with additional or increased contributions. We are very gratified by the response and hope many others will follow. Thank you.

Barry Rosenberg

Executive Vice President