Dr. Courtland Lee
Fall/Winter 2012-2013

I am a huge fan of public television. I have spent many enjoyable hours watching "Masterpiece Theatre," "Sherlock Holmes," "Keeping up Appearances," "Poirot," cooking shows, and Ken Burns specials on that network. A few times a year, however, my PBS programming is interrupted for at least a week or two by their pledge drives. During "Pledge Week" these shows are replaced with specials on how to get rich with no money or improve your brain functioning with a carrot diet. In addition to these shows I am presented with pledge drive concerts featuring ancient do-woop groups long past their singing prime. However, I endure all of this because I know how important these fund drives are to the survival of PBS and the fine programming it usually offers. So while an Andy Williams Christmas special from the early 1960s plays on my television in the background, I pick up my phone and make a donation to ensure that excellent shows continue on PBS. Over the years my donations have yielded some very nice appreciation gifts from PBS including any number of coffee mugs, tote bags, and commemorative CDs.

So, in the spirit of the PBS pledge week and the holiday season, I am asking you to make a generous contribution to the ACA Foundation. You will not have to endure any pledge programming soliciting your donation, only my request that you support your profession and its future. Your donation to the Foundation, for example, can help to support graduate students. In addition, it can also support the Counselors Care Fund, the need for which was underscored again by the recent catastrophic storm Sandy which ravished the Northeastern part of the country. The Counselors Care Fund has made funds available to counselors in that region to assist people restore their lives after that devastating event.

Please do not expect a mug, sweatshirt, or tote bag in return for your donation. Your reward will be the satisfaction you receive from knowing that your donation is going to support counselors and their professional pursuits and advancing the counseling profession. As you write that check or reach for your credit card, on behalf of the Foundation Board of Trustees I wish you the best of the holiday season and a happy new year.