December 2010 Letter of Appeal

December 3, 2010

Dear Friend:

I pray this letter finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that I write to you. As you
likely are aware, over the course of the past three and a half years, life for the Holloway
family has changed dramatically. Beginning in 2006, my mom, Elaine, was diagnosed
with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2007, not long after my mom began
treatment, my dad, Bishop John, suffered a massive and totally debilitating stroke. Not to
be outdone, almost immediately following my dad’s stroke, I was diagnosed with a hole
in my heart. In 2008, I am glad to say the hole was successfully repaired and my mom’s
cancer was in remission. However, not long after I graduated from the University of
Georgia in 2009, my family’s home for over 15 years was foreclosed upon, forcing my
family to find another place to call home. Just as we were looking for another place to
live, on Christmas Eve in 2009, my mom’s cancer was found to have returned. Mom
subsequently began treatment on my birthday, just days before ringing in the New Year.

The past year has been extremely tough on my family to say the least. Mom’s
treatments have been far more aggressive and far-reaching than ever before. Mom has
endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy, a stem-cell transplant, radiation, and most
recently chemotherapy administered directly to her spinal fluid. She has lost over 80
pounds and is a mere shadow of her former self. We are a battered and worn family to be
sure, but we are persevering with God’s help. Our financial situation has also taken many
hits over the last few years. My family has had little income following my dad’s stroke in
2007. We also had no savings when we lost our home. Thanks to God and the gracious
generosity of His people, we were able to raise almost $20,000 from October to
December of last year. This money has been used solely to pay for rent, natural gas, and
our power bill. Unfortunately, we are drawing near to the end of these funds. We are also
coming to the end of a three and one-half year monthly benevolence from the Mid-South
Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, wherein we have been receiving funds on
a monthly basis to help meet our needs.

It is at this juncture that I write requesting support. I have estimated our monthly
needs, including rent, all utilities, groceries, and medications, to be around $3,000 a
month. We have around $6,000 in the Holloway Fund account as I write. So far I have
not had to tap into this account to pay for anything other than rent and utilities, but that
time is coming to an end. This means we only have around two months worth of
expenses covered. I do not mean to exhaust the limits of your generosity, but without
your charity, I do not see how I, or my brothers, can personally cover all of my family’s
expenses. My brothers and I are working on covering as much of the costs as possible,
but we need your help in this end. I give you my word that all money received will be
used as judiciously and responsibly as possible. The budget I have set up has been posted
on the family’s blog (http://hollowayfamily.wordpress.com), and is also included in this
letter.

As many of you know, I believe God has called me to go to medical school. I am
currently employed with the University of Georgia. I am also preparing for admission to
medical school. I do not know right now whether or not I will be accepted in the
upcoming school year. In the meantime, I have begun actively exploring additional employment opportunities with the University of Georgia, including searching for
employment with benefits to further help offset my family’s expenses. However, even
with additional employment, I will still need additional support to cover all of my
family’s needs. I do not anticipate being able to completely cover my family’s needs until
I have graduated from medical school, which I anticipate doing so within several years.

Until that time, I am asking you to partner with my family and me on a monthly
basis to ensure that my family’s financial needs are met. I am not asking you to support
my family forever, but simply a monthly commitment for as long as you are able to help.
I appreciate the support you have already given and thank you in advance for any help
you may be able to continue to provide.

There are several ways to give to help my family. The first way to give is to write
a check and mail it to the Mid-South Diocese, whereby all donations are tax-deductible.
The second way is through PayPal. A link has been placed on the family’s blog that
allows people to give using either a credit or debit card. Unfortunately, donations made
through PayPal, while allowing for more convenience in giving, are not tax-deductible.

Lastly, I strive to keep everyone abreast of my family’s situation, especially my
mom’s continued treatment. I currently utilize a blog in this end. If you would like to read more concerning our family, you are welcome to do so at http://hollowayfamily.wordpress.com. The Internet seems at the present to be the best and quickest tool available in keeping everyone updated on my family.

I thank you again for the concern you have shown for my family and the support
you have so lovingly poured out to us over the years. I know for a fact that my family’s
situation would be far worse had it not been for your love and generosity. Please be in
touch. We love hearing from you and would love to see you.

With warmest regards and on the behalf of my family,

Jacob B. Holloway

P.S. If you would like to give to our family, please make your check out to
“Benevolence”, and send it to:
Diocese of the Mid-South
4881 Highway 34 E,
Sharpsburg, GA 30277