Appeal for Pledges

Email subject line: Please Sponsor Me As I Freeze My #%@*&# Off To Fight Global Warming!

Dear [name],

On [day and date] I'll be jumping into the icy [body of water] for a really good cause: the fight against global warming.

Yes, you read that right. I'll be plunging right into the water at [specific location/town at body of water for jump] with several dozen other crazy people. The event, organized by [your group(s)], in conjunction with the National Polar Bear Plunge, is meant to raise awareness about the fight to "Keep Winter Cold" and thus save our planet from the growing crisis of global warming.

So here's the deal: I'll agree to get wet and cold if you'll agree to sponsor me. By making a pledge to support my playful suffering, you'll help [your group] fulfill its very serious mission of educating and mobilizing the citizens of [your area] to take concrete steps to protect our climate. The suggested minimum pledge is $20 but if you give more it will help [your group] accomplish more.

This is an especially critical time for this inspired act of lunacy. The Step It Up actions of this past spring helped start a growing surge of citizen activism on global warming, and the issue of climate change has only grown with each passing day. The Plunge will conclude our year of activism on climate change on a high note, continuing to highlight the issue for this all-important presidential election year that begins in earnest with the primaries in January and February.

And by participating in the National Polar Bear Plunge, with thousands of other concerned citizens jumping in cold bodies of water all across the United States, we will be sending the strongest, clearest, most visceral message we can to all candidates running for office: Keep Winter Cold! Act on Global Warming NOW! And best of all, we'll be raising money to continue this struggle throughout the election year.

So please let me know if you can make a pledge toward this very worthwhile event. Also know that [your group] is a reputable, nonprofit organization based in [your location] with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. You can learn more about [your group] at [website url]. Your contribution is tax-deductible.

If you can make a pledge, just let me know the amount right now by replying to this email and then I'll follow up with you after the swim to collect your contribution. Or, you can go to this special, secure web page and make your contribution to my plunge right now.

Either way, thanks so much for pledging your support to continue the fight against global warming - and for me to freeze my #%@*&!#! in the process!

Thanks so much,

[your name]

[position, your group name]