September 10, 2019
Hello, my name is Craig Jackson. I was raised in Beaumont, Texas and graduated
Beaumont High (1973) and Lamar University (1977) with an Electrical Engineering
Degree. So why is that important you might ask? Well, my first job out of college was in Tulsa in 1977. Since then, I've lived, worked, and raised a wonderful family with my wife Lorraine of 39 years, in Broken Arrow, OK. We are blessed with three wonderful children Linzey, Lauren, and Collin. I'm now retired from IBM and Lorraine is a retired R.N from Saint Francis Hospital where all three of our kids were born. Some of you in Beaumont, TX may have known my parents, Clarence and Mary Jackson, both BISD retirees, and my sister, Stephanie Jackson (Lamar University 1979). So that's a bit about my family and I.
I believe you will agree that having healthy lifestyle activities that you are passionate
about is fulfilling and contributes to your overall physical and mental wellness. Ask
yourself this question - "What would you do if you could use one of your passionate activities to positively effect and save the lives of others in your community?" You see, one of my passions is riding and racing on my bicycle. For the last several years, I've ridden 4,000 to 7,000 miles per year on my bicycle.
On June 20, 2020, I and seven dedicated teammates along with our support crew will be lining up on the starting line in the world renown 2020 Race Across America (RMM) competition. We'll be among racers from at least 20 other countries taking up this
challenge. Our team, "Team Suicide Prevention", will participate in the 2020 RMM competition and will raise awareness and funds for organizations like The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Oklahoma Chapter through our participation. Race Across America (RMM) is one of the most respected and longest running ultra-endurance events in the world. RAAM is seen as a pinnacle of athletic achievement not only in cycling circles but the greater sporting community as well.
To prepare for this very grueling race, I will log over 4,000 miles on my bicycle during the next eight months. There will be some really long, cold, & hard days to persevere through and some good days to enjoy as well. It's for an urgent mission as we Race To Save Lives and bring hope to many by raising awareness that suicide can be prevented. The funding for "Team Suicide Prevention" is from both corporate and individual sponsors, such as you. It is for this reason that we are asking for your support as we Race To Save Lives. It's a mission we can take on together with your financial support. Note that donations for this mission are via "Air Assurance Racing -Team Suicide Prevention" which is a 501 c-3 organization.
Please read the enclosed letter that further describes my team, its goals and details about our event next June. Then determine how much you can pledge to help sponsor my team and I in this event. In addition to the various donation tiers described in the attached letter, please know that I will personally and proudly wear your name or your business's name on one of my race jerseys during the nine day, 3,000 mile race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland across 12 states with 170,000 feet of vertical climbing. I'm thinking that I may need to retire again after we cross the finish line. Whether you can contribute a penny per mile or a dollar per mile, know that any contribution that you can make will go toward saving lives through suicide prevention.
Thanks in advance for your time in considering being a supporter of a very important mission to be a part of my journey to Race Across America to save lives. Whenever I've found myself up against significant challenges, I've relied on three Pilars for strength and direction -Faith, Family, and Friends. I'm certain that I will have to draw strength from these on this journey as well. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thank You,
Craig Jackson
918 691-1925
Broken Arrow, OK
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