A MESSAGE FROM MARC

The Klaas Foundation for Children is at an exciting and important juncture. For three years, we ran from one death and pursued another. Finally, last September, an important chapter closed when Polly's killer was sentenced to death. This allowed the Foundation tofocus on its goal of establishing a powerful national presence. Our productivity over the past 12 months has exceeded all expectations. Communities throughout the United States have embraced our mission of stopping crimes against children.

This issue of the Klaas Action Review provides an update of the Foundation's work, detailing our progress in 1997 and outlining the projects on which the Foundation will focus for 1998. The KlaasKids National Child Safety Awareness Project, production of the child safety video Kids...Lost and Found, and our many legislative action commitments are all vitally important, exciting projects for which we seek your support during the coming year.

This project load necessitates a larger labor force than we are able to provide even through our many wonderful volunteers. To that end, we are seeking funding to hire the Foundation's first full-time employee in its brief but powerfull three-year history. We have operated until now entirely with volunteer assistance and minimal overhead.

As our scope expands and momentum builds, it is necessary to take full advantage of every opportunity to spread our message. America is waking up to the realization that a safe environment for our children is of paramount importance. In order to ensure that our focus does not waver and to maintain a leadership role in this movement, we ask for your commitment of time, talent, and financial support. 1998 is shaping up to be another watershed year for the Foundation, as our ever-expanding calendar suggests an ever-growing role in the fight for children's rights.

We can all take pride in knowing that we have made strides in securing the rights of America's children. During the upcoming holiday season, we ask you to join in this ongoing campaign through your generous tax-deductible donation. I also urge you to join us as a Foundation member by subscribing to the Klaas Action Review. May the holiday season-bless you, and keep your children safe.