AFR News: Parental Rights- A Birthday Surprise for Michael Farris

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A Birthday Surprise for Michael Farris

August 18, 2013

Shh - It's a surprise!

Michael Farris’s birthday is next week (August 27) and we want to invite you to help us make it special. But before I tell you how, I would like to share a little bit about Mike.

Many of you know that Mike is an accomplished lawyer who holds both a JD and an LLM in international law. But there is a lot you may not realize.

Among his many accomplishments are the founding of HSLDA, Patrick Henry College, and numerous other smaller but equally successful organizations. Whether leading the fight to secure the legality of homeschooling in all 50 states, coaching record setting moot court teams at PHC, or carrying the banner to stop passage of dangerous international treaties, Mike has been amazingly successful.

Mike is passionate and driven; he has both the personality and the skills to be successful in whatever he chooses to do. And here is probably the most important thing about Mike that most people never think about: With his credentials, business experience, and overall level of success, if Mike had taken a different course in life – for instance in a prestigious law firm or going into business - he would probably be a millionaire many times over by now. But Mike forsook the “high life” and chose the “high ground” instead. He has spent his life fighting for individual freedoms on behalf of parents, children, and families.

And it is not just what Mike has given up (though he also receives no salary from ParentalRights.org), but also what Mike has had to endure that I admire. As he fights for us I have seen Mike mocked and ridiculed in Senate committee hearings; I’ve seen his character and integrity questioned by bloggers, and I’ve read numerous epithets and insults aimed at him by our opponents in letters and news articles. Mike and his family have willingly paid a high price over the years to stand up for truth and freedom.

I know that Mike is not a perfect man. No one is. But he is a man of high character, impeccable integrity, and great compassion for others. I am grateful that he has chosen to use his God-given gifts and talents to focus on things of lasting value rather than on temporal fame and fortune. He should inspire us all. There is a small list of men I would trust with my life, and Mike would be at the top of that list.

So here is what we can do to make this a special day for Mike:

First, if you can’t do anything else, send him a note or card thanking him for carrying the fight for us all. (Mail to Mike Farris c/o ParentalRights.org, PO Box 1090 Purcellville, VA 20134.) While he would never ask for it, I am certain your words of encouragement would mean a great deal to him.

Second, if you can, donate to one of the issues most important to Mike – the Parental Rights Amendment. Mike has spent his life fighting for parents and their children. The Parental Rights Amendment would help secure those rights for all future generations. It will stand through time as one of Mike’s greatest legacies.

ParentalRights.Org relies on donations to get this important work done. Knowing that we have the funds we need to continue the fight would be a great gift to Mike.

For a gift of $10 or more we will place your name on a “very large” birthday card to Mike telling him “Happy birthday,” with thanks for all he is doing. This card will be presented to Mike by some of our local Parental rights volunteers and we will post pictures to our Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.

If you are able to give more, we also have a special gift for you. For a donation of $50 or more we will send you a limited edition print of the Parental Rights Amendment on parchment paper with seal. For your gift of $100 or more we will even have it signed by Mike.

This document could be a significant historical piece, evidence of your support for the passage of this vital constitutional amendment. But most importantly, your donation will tell Mike “thank you,” and “I support the work you are doing”. Let’s make this a special birthday for Mike!

Thank you.
Bentley signature

Jim Bentley
Executive Director

PS: Mike really doesn’t know we are doing this! Obviously, as the Executive Director I hope that we bring in significant funds to continue the work of ParentalRights.Org. But my biggest wish is that each and every one of you will take the time to thank Mike and his family, and to pray for them. Let’s truly make this a special day for him!

This special invitation lasts from Monday, Aug. 19 to Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 3 pm EDT. Because ParentalRights.org is a 501(c)4 political organization, donations cannot be deductible for income tax purposes.

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