The Wren's Nest Donor Solicitation Packet

The Wren’s Nest1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SWAtlanta, GA 30310404-753-7735wrensnest.org

Hello Friend and Neighbor,

My name is Sue Gillman the Executive Director of The Wren’s Nest. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and invite you to be a part of The Wren’s Nest family.

100 years ago the children of Atlanta and major donors combined their fundraising efforts to found a museum and commemorate the life and legacy of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the beloved Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus children’s stories. Harris touched the lives and imagination of avid readers all over the world and in 1913 those readers decided to repay the favor.

For the past eight years The Wren’s Nest has been giving back to the children of the community through one on one mentorship in literacy and writing as well as professional and career building workshops and hands on experience. Every year local middle and high school students join together to tell their stories through writing and publishing and learn how to make their voices heard in the world. Now as the organization enters its next 100 years of service, I invite you to be a part of The Wren’s Nest Family and inspire continued learning and education in your community.

With your donation of $25 or more you can ensure the continued learning of a child in your neighborhood.

I believe that a hands-on education is a great way to improve writing and communication skills and inspire continued learning in young people.

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Our Programs

Scribes ProgramThe Scribes program offers middle schoolers one on one learning opportunities with professional writers to create and share their own stories.The Wren’s Nest believe that a hands on education is a great way to improve writing skills and inspire continued learning in young people.

High School Literary JournalEvery year Atlanta high school students submit their entries in short stories, essays, poetry and artwork for consideration and student editors then select and publish the works of their peers.

Wren’s Nest FestWren’s Nest Fest is hosted every summer right in the back yard.Entrance fees are reduced that day to ensure that cost is not a problem for anyone who wishes to join. Wren’s Nest Fest has made it possible for over 600 children to discover the joy of reading and storytelling.

As my way of saying thank you for your generous contribution I invite you to join our family and enjoy donor benefits such as: • Free Admission for one year• A handsome Brer Rabbit tote bag• A personal copy of The Classic tales of Brer Rabbit• 10 free admission tickets for friends and family• A free storyteller for your event!

The children of Atlanta taught me that donations no matter how humble can make a big difference when a community comes together to support something they believe in and I think it’s time we repay the kindness and generosity those children showed us so long ago. With many thanks,

Sue Gillman Executive Director

PS: Donate within two weeks and your contribution will go to support the children of the Scribes and High School Journal program publish and share their stories at this years Decatur Book Festival. Donate today and give these children an oppertunity to have this one of a kind experience.

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Who We Are

Our Legacy

Joel Chandler HarrisMuseum & Writers Studio

Contact UsThe Wren’s Nest

1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SWAtlanta, GA 30310

404-753-7735wrensnest.org

[email protected]

Hours of Opperation10am-2:30pm

Tuesday-SaturdayStorytelling Every Sat at 1pm

(closed Sunday & Monday)

What to keep in touch?go online to subscribe toour newsletter, like us on

Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

At The Wren’s Nest our mission is to promote, educate and expand the tradition of oral storytelling as well as authorship through historic preservation and educational programming for children to youngadults. Our programs offer studentsan opportunity to experience one on one mentoring with industry professionals and enhance life skills that will help them both personally and professionally.

The Wren’s Nest is Atlanta’s oldest house museum and the home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Brer Rabbit stories that have captured theimagination of children around the world. Since its opening in 1913, the Wren’s Nest has become a cultural institution in Atlanta and greeted visitors from all over the globe. Storytellers work their magic every Saturday introducing a new generation of listeners to the Brer Rabbit stories and keeping the oral tradition of African-American folklore alive.

Your Donation Helps

Our Programs Your Dollars at Work

How to Donate

Donor Benefit Levels$50- Free Admission for one year$100- A handsome Brer Rabbit tote bag$250 - One copy of The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit$500- 10 free admission tickets for friends and family$1,000- A free storyteller for your event!

Each benefit level includes the benefits from the levels below it.

Donations made to the Wren’s Nrestare tax deductable.

Your gifts, no matter what size, make a tremendous impact: $300= One month of Saturday Storytelling. $1,500= cost to publish the annual book from the Scribes Program.$1,750= cost to print the annual book from the Wren's Nest Publishing Company and host it at the Decatur Book Festival.$2,250= cost to host Wren's Nest Fest every summer.

Mail a check or donation replycard to: The Wren’s Nest1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd Atlanta, GA 30310

Or go online to wrensnest.org and click Donate.

Scribes ProgramThe Scribes program offers middle schoolers one on one learning opportunities with professional writers to create and share their own stories.We believe that a handson education is a great way to improve writing skills and inspire continued learning in young people. High School Literary JournalEvery year Atlanta high school students submit their entries in short stories, essays, poetry and artwork for consideration and student editors then select and publish the works of their peers.

Wren’s Nest FestEvery summer we host our annual Wren’s Nest Fest.Entrance fees are reduced that day to ensure that cost is not a problem for anyone who wishes to join. Wren’s Nest Fest has made it possible for over 600 children to discover the joy of reading and storytelling.

2014 marked our eighth year of programming and with your help we can work to touch the lives hundreds of other students.

Inspiring others to...

Tell Their Story

Museum and Writers Studiowrensnet.org404-753-7735

Did You Know...• Joel Chandler Harris collected 194 stories that have been translated into over 40 di�erent languages.• The Br’er Rabbit and Uncle Remus tales are based on stories Harris heard from plantation slaves he worked with as a teenager. • Harris’ writings later in�uenced other authors such as Mark Twain and Beatrix Potter. • The house earned its name, the Wren’s Nest, after the Harris children discovered that wrens had nested in the mailbox.• Andrew Carnegie, Theodore Roosevelt and children from the Atlanta area helped raise money to turn the Wren’s Nest into a National Landmark and museum. • Every year the organization’s programs help children learn the importance of literacy and writing.• Your donation can help the Wren’s Nest preserve the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and inspire children to tell their story.

The Wren’s Nest1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SWAtlanta, GA 30310404-753-7735

I would like to give...$25 $50 (benifit level) $100 (benifit level) $150 $200 $250 (benifit level)

Other Amount:

I have enclosed I would like Visa Mastercard Discover American Expressa check to pay by card

Card Number:Name on card:Ex. Date: CCV:

(This is the 3 digit code on the back of your card or 4 digit codeon the front for AmEx)

I’m inspiring others to tell their story

Prefer to give online?Visit us at wrensnest.org andclick Donate.


Ms. Jane Doe1600 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

100 Years of Telling Tales,

we’d like you to be a part of the next 100 years.

Attn: DonationsThe Wren’s Nest1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SWAtlanta, GA 30310404-753-7735

Place Stamp Here

__________________________________________________________________

Dear Ms. Jane Doe,

Another year has come and gone and I just wanted to say thank you for letting us at The Wren’s Nest be a part of it.

As I was sitting out on the front porch the other day, as Mr. Harris so often did, I overheard one of our storytellers entertaining a group of children. They gasped as Brer Rabbit was thrown into the briar patch and laughed as that rascal out smarted Brer Fox yet again. As I heard their giggles and shouts of excitement my thoughts turned to you.

It is because of your continued support that these children are able to hear stories and tales that have been passed down for hundreds of years. But we can still use your help. That is why I would like to urge you at this time to consider making your annual donation so that our storytellers can continue to bring this experience to children all over Atlanta.

Thereareseveraloptionsformakinganannualdonationsothatyoucanfindawaytocontinueyoursupportthatworksbestforyou.Donationbenefitsincludefreeadmissionto the museum, Wren’s Nest merchandise and invitations to special events in our backyard. You can also spread your donation throughout the year by enrolling in a monthly giving program.

Make your $25 donation in the next two weeks and help sponcer the current Scibes and High School Publishers at thgis years Decatur Book Festival. Donate $50 or more and you will be invited to come see the children present thier work. You can even purchase a copy of this years publication. Be sure to have your copy autographed by the authors!

Your donation can make a differnce in the life of a child


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For over 100 years our organization has been preserving the stories and memory of Joel Chandler Harris but we can only continue to do so for another 100 years with annual donations from supporters like you. Please keep in mind that any contribution you are able to give will be greatly appreciated and you will always be a valued member of The Wren’s Nest family.

With Many Thanks,


PS: Your past donation of $25 dollars made a significant difference is the life of a child, so just imagine what your continued support of $25 or $50 could do for a child in you neighborhood.

Donor Survey: As a valued member of our Wren’s Nest family, I’d like to take the time to get to know you a little better.

Please verify your contact info: Ms. Jane Doe 123 Anytown St. Atlanta, GA 30309(if this is incorrect, mark though and correct in the space provided)

Email:

Phone Number:

How do you prefer to be contacted? (check any that apply) Direct mail Email Phone

Yes I would like to receive your quarterly newsletter by: Email Direct mail Ipreffernottoreceiveanewsletter

Continued on Back

Yes I would like to continue my support of The Wren’s Nest! I would like to donate every month I have enclosed a check I would like to make one donation at this time I would like to use my credit cardI would like to donate: (If you would like to use a credit card please $25 $50 $75 $100 visit our online donation tool at $150 $200 $250 wrensnest.org/donate)

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How do you prefer to be addressed: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr.

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy):

What interests you most about The Wren’s Nest? The legacy and history of Joel Chandler Harris The stories of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit Sharing my experience at The Wren’s Nest with my family and friends Continuing tradition of oral storytelling and African-American folklore School and education related programs (Scribes and High School Literacy Program) Other (please specify)

Do you have children or grandchildren?: Yes I have children No I don’t have children Yes I have grandchildren No I don’t have grandchildren

Please send me information about: How to spread out my donation throughout the year (participate in monthly giving) How to give the gift of a Wren’s Nest membership How to give the gift of stocks or bonds How to leave a legacy or bequest How to donate my time How to host my next event at The Wren’s Nest

Thank You for your time and support

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Thank You for your support

February 5, 2015

Dear Ms. Jane Doe,

On behalf of Brer Rabbit and myself, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of $25 on 1/30/15. Because of your kindness the Wren’s Nest can continue spreading the joy of storytelling to the next generation.

But mostly I would like to thank you on behalf of the children of Atlanta. Without your help these kids would not be able to tell their stories to the world or find the joy and benefit of read-ing and learning.

Enclosed is the receipt for your tax deductable donation as well as a list of all your membership benefits. If you are interested in styaing in touch ( and we sincerely hope you are) sign up for our e-newsletter by visiting wrensnets.org/newsletter and inputting your email.

So again from everyone here at The Wren’s Nest we thank you and welcome you as the newest part of our family.

With deepest gratitude,

Sue Gillman Executive Director The Wren’s Nest


Want to keep in touch? Subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter! wrensnest.org www.facebook.com/wrensnest Twitter: @WrensNest

From: The Wren’s NestTo: [email protected]: 100 Years of Telling Tales

Greetings from The Wren’s Nest!

About Us Donate Today Tell A Friend

Hello Jane,

What is the most crucial aspect of a child’s education? Personal attention? Hands on experience? Having their voice heard? All of the above.

Through my work at The Wren’s Nest I have confirmed my belief that every child deserves the best education possible.Becuase of the Scribes program children have access to one-on-one mentorship in writing and editing so they can tell their own stories and have their voices heard. For the past five years the Scribes program has transformed the education of 124 students.

But there are many more children that deserve the best education possible, and I’m asking for your help.

I have personally seed the growth and confidence that the Scribes children have experienced and I beleive that it is in our power to work to better the lives of these kids. But don’t just take my word for it. For more information about our programs and what you can do to help vistit us at wrensnest.org/programs.

Your gift of $25 or more can help transform the life of a child and give them a brighter future.

PS: In order to provide these services, all funding must be secured before the start of the school year, so donate today and take this opportunity to make the difference in the life of a child.

With best wishes,



About Us Tell A FriendDonate TodayWant to learn more about us?Sign up for our E-Newsletter

From: The Wren’s NestTo: [email protected]: Thank You from The Wren’s Nest

About UsThe Wren’s Nest1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SWAtlanta, GA 30310404-753-7735wrensnest.org

Tell A Friend

Keep in touch Sign up for our E-Newsletter

Dear Jane,

I wanted to take the time to personally thank you for your generous donation to the Wren’s Nest. Because of your contribution we were able to raise enough funds to make sure that this years Scribes will be represented at the Decatur Book Festival.

Want to see a sneak peek of what the Scibes will be presnet-ing this year? Click Here to check out some of the stories written by the Scribes and see what our students are learning.

And be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter so I can continue to share all of the amazing achievements made by our students.

Your tax-deductable donation of $25 will provide children an opportunity to work towards a brighter future.

Again thank you for making everything we do at The Wren’s Nest possible and allowing me to spread your generosity to the next generation of storytellers.

PS: Remember to subscibe to our monthly e-newsletter to receive updates on all happenings at The Wren’s Nest and see your donation dollars at work.

With sincerest gratitude,


You Make A Differenceat The Wren’s Nest

Documents

The Wren's Nest Donor Solicitation Packet