In addition to freedom, compassion and generosity define America. We are the most generous people on earth.

Today I ask for your help in the life of a boy named Tony. Tony (I have changed his name) lives at the Murphy Harpst home in Georgia where he arrived carrying only a paper sack of clothes. All his possessions in a single grocery sack. Tony has been sexually abused by a number of men in his life; he has been beaten, burned, and forced to live in a box. As a result, Tony is withdrawn and angry. He has failed in 12 foster placement homes, and Murphy Harpst is his last hope. Like most of the kids who live at Murphy Harpst, Tony has tried to end his life. Death seems more hopeful to him than what he has experienced from life so far.

The therapists, counselors, and teachers at Murphy Harpst will love Tony abundantly. They will do the hard work of trying to bring healing and repair to his broken soul. For the first time, Tony will have a chance at understanding the word "home." He will attend a special school designed for kids who have been as badly abused as he has. Because of their work and the faith they share, Tony has an 82% chance of functioning and interacting normally in society, a remarkable rate of recovery.

No one else does the work Murphy Harpst does. And they need help. Given the economy and cuts in government funding, Murphy Harpst is presently unable to fund $500,000 in therapy for abused children. If you and I do not help make up that difference, many children like Tony will not receive help.

Please help. Anita and I give generously to help Murphy Harpst, and I invite you to make a gift also in this crucial time. To help, email my friend, Emily Saltino, who leads their funding efforts. You can reach her at esaltino@murphyharpst.net.

Happy 4th of July! You and I are blessed in ways we do not even know.