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From the President's Desk
November 2008
The Worthiest Cause You Can Find
by Russell Wild

I can't predict the future, but I can say with some assuredness that when the nation's professional freelance writers fill out their 2008 tax forms next April, some will see a depressing bottom line. Others, despite a low-on-gas economy and a flat-tire publishing industry, will wind up doing just fine … or more than just fine.

ASJA member Cecil Murphey of Tucker, Ga., clearly belongs to the latter, more fortunate group. His 90 Minutes in Heaven (co-authored with Don Piper, released in 2004 by Revell Books) has sold over four million copies in 30 languages, and continues, after nearly 100 weeks, to remain atop the New York Times Bestseller list. "The book has made me a lot of money," says Cecil.

Another ASJA member, Lori Hall Steele, of Travers City, Mich., finds herself in the former, not-so-fortunate, group. Lori, a widely published journalist who has written more than 2,500 articles, with credits in Woman's Day, Smart Money, Salon.com, The Washington Post and others, is currently chalking up no credits and making no money. The 44-year-old single mom suffers from both ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and chronic lyme disease, which has left her paralyzed and unable to work. She is also saddled with astronomical medical bills.

As terribly difficult as life has been for Lori, it has been made a little easier by a $5,000 grant (the maximum grant allowable) this past summer from AJSA's Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF). "I was so touched by ASJA's generosity and honored to be a recipient," says Lori. "The money has helped tremendously."

In the 12 months prior to September 1, WEAF has given out a total of $42,170 in grants, compared to $34,400 in the previous 12 months.

"That's a huge increase for our small emergency fund," says Lisa Collier Cool, chair of the WEAF Board of Trustees. Lisa explains that WEAF grants are given to professional freelance writers (ASJA members or not) experiencing financial hardship due to illness, disability, or other crisis."A number of writers hit by disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Dennis are still struggling to recover even years later," says Lisa.

And where does the money to help these financially struggling writers come from? From other writers ... writers like Cecil Murphey, willing to share their good fortune with those less fortunate. Cecil recently contributed $10,000 to WEAF, the highest single donation the fund has ever received.

When I called Cecil to thank him for his great generosity, he said, "I'm not a guy who needs a lot of money—and it's fun to give it away." On behalf of ASJA, WEAF, Lori Hall Steele, all the other recipients of WEAF grants, thank you, Cecil. And thank you, the many dozens of other ASJA members, who have contributed in past years.

I'd like to thank especially ASJA member Alice Shane, of Summit, NJ, who helped WEAF orchestrate a special fundraiser this past summer to benefit freelance writers experiencing hardship due to the Iowa floods. Alice's efforts helped to raise $12,000.

WEAF is a registered 501 (c) (3) charity, founded in 1972. Tax-deductible donations can be made by mailing a check to the ASJA Charitable Trust, 1501 Broadway, Suite 403, New York, NY 10036. You can also donate online using your credit card by going to www.asja.org/weaf. WEAF can also accept donations of appreciated securities, such as stocks or bonds (allowing additional possible tax benefit to you).

I can't predict the future, but I'm fairly certain that a good number of the more fortunate among you will contribute to WEAF, and a good number of the less fortunate will benefit enormously from that generosity.

Please please, won't you consider giving to WEAF this year?

ASJA President Russell Wild, of Allentown, PA, would also like to remind you that it is now time to renew your ASJA membership. "Pay your dues and make a contribution to WEAF at the same time," he suggests.