Honored to be Drew’s Godfather

When my friend Fran Donnellan adopted eight-month-old Drew, I was honored to be asked to be his godfather.

A Message to my Peace Corps Friends

Dear Fellow Returnees,

I'd first like to thank you for visiting this web site.

Like many of you I am sure, I look back fondly on my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I made countless friends during my peace corps experience. I had a wonderful opportunity to open my world view and to grow in ways that were often unexpected. I am so greatful and I still hold my service as one of the most influential periods of my life.

I remember my first six weeks of in-country training vivdly. In the summer of 1989, we were a group of 23 volunteers entering Kingston, Jamaica. We were a tight-knit group, enthusiastic, anxious and ready to begin what we knew would be a challengingand exciting two years.

Fran Donnellan was one of a core group of volunteers whom I would develop close bond with. After the close of our training, our sites were spread throughout the country. Despite the distance and the challenges of travel, our core group remained close. We would correspond through mail, sharing our many experiences at our sites. We would also get together now and again during holidays and long weekends.

Fran was an exceptional volunteer who thoughtfully became a part of her small rural village. Fran is even a finer person. As a parent, her son’s spirit, compassion and courage are all evidence, I believe, of her presence in his life.

When I reflect on my experience as a volunteer I am always taken by the sense of community that was developed. People came from very different backgrounds, from every part of the U.S. and yet there always remained a common bond. A sense that we were all in this together. As this fundraising effort goes on I have had the good fortune of reconnecting with some friends of long ago. It has been nice. As we reconnect it rekindles the warms feelings I have of my experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer.

One of my hopes is that in some way it may reconnect you with your Peace Corps experience. That it will bring you in touch with that piece of you that brought you to the Peace Corps and that it brings you joy and fond memories. My second hope is that you will consider sponsoring this fundraising effort so that we can reach out to Fran and Drew during a time when they face a tremendous life challenge.

If I may I would also like to ask that you consider Kelley Goddu in in your sponsorship. She too faces a life long challenge, a challenge that she has taken on with the same courage and determination.

Thank you again for visiting,

Sincerely,

George Piers (email me)


How you can help

I am asking people to join my effort by buying a TRI-FOR wrist band. My family and friends have donated the cost of the bands so that all the proceeds from every sale will go to Drew and Kelley.

I hope you'll join me in this cause and thank you.

Sincerely,

George Piers (email me)