I truly believe our community needs Up With People right now

To The Daily Sun,

I am a recent alumnus of the international non-profit organization Up with People (UWP). Following my graduation from Laconia High School in June of 2015 I headed to Denver, Colorado to begin my journey in Up with People. Arriving in

Denver I was taken into an incredible family's home, and I had the opportunity to meet 100passionate individuals from around the globe who wanted to change the world just as much as I did.

Throughout my year with UWP I was able to travel all around the United States, Mexico, and Europe, and I can truly say that each place I visited left a profound impact on my life. Further, I believe that the impact we had on the communities we visited was also lasting and positive. As a cast we were able partner with Habitat for Humanity to build homes, work at food banks, paint inspirational murals, spend time in prisons empowering inmates to be better citizens when they were released, did various beautification projects, worked in homeless shelters and hospitals, did numerous workshops in schools that empowered youth to take a stand for what is right, and numerous other projects. Our visits were filled with hard-work, eye-opening experiences, and unbreakable bonds with the community members. The Lakes Region can have

an opportunity to experience this again too next Fall if we choose to invest in this incredible opportunity.

I truly believe that our community needs Up with People right now — the world needs Up with People right now. In a world with so much fear, hate, and animosity, UWP would be able to bring a counter perspective to the negativity that is all too often saturating life. If a cast was sponsored by the Lakes Region they would be able to work within the community to help benefit non-profit's, work in schools, and bring a global perspective into people's homes. There are so

many organizations such as Stand Up Laconia!, Got Lunch, the Boy's and Girl's Club, and many others that would not only benefit from the cast members participation, but the financially from the Up with People show.

Up with People came to Laconia in Fall 2014 and changed my life. During their visit I was given hope in humanity, my eyes were opened to perspectives I had never been exposed to before, and I wanted to be part of spreading love and hope too. Following my year I now have connections to families all over the world, best friends, and a determination to keep making a difference in the world. I ask all community members to consider investing some money into this

opportunity, as it has the potential to change your life and the lives of others for the better.

If you are interested in helping us sponsoring part of or all of the $5,000 down payment for this opportunity or in learning more about what the cast of Up with People is all about, please reach out to me at 603-581-5517 or my mother, Clare Persson at 603-387-4270. We are running out of time to help secure this payment, but I have faith that our community will chose to rally around such an incredible cause. Thank you for your consideration in this opportunity!

Alana Persson

Washington, D.C.