Dear Afterschool Advocates,

On behalf of the Kids Deserve Better Team, congratulations on an incredible campaign. Working together, we made children and afterschool programs an issue in Virginia's elections.  From polling data and debates to Lights On events and media coverage across the Commonwealth, your voices were heard, calling for safe, enriching afterschool programs for our young people. We reached every candidate with our message about the needs of Virginia's children.

We don't want our campaign, or contact with you, to end with the election.  We will stay in touch with you via our Afterschool Advocate newsletter. But please stay in touch with us at the Afterschool Alliance, and let us know how we can support your efforts to expand afterschool programs for our children and families. A few ideas:

• write your newly elected officials and encourage them to make sure that Virginia's kids are safe and cared for after school (a sample letter is pasted below for your consideration).  You can look up information for your delegate or state senator at http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform.  To send a letter to Governor Bob McDonnell, use this link: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm and cut and paste the sample letter into your message.
• send alerts of Virginia news and events to info@afterschoolalliance.org – any news and events you share will us will be posted on the Virginia state page at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/states/states_facts.cfm?state_abbr=VA
• join us for upcoming events like the Afterschool for All  Challenge  and Lights On Afterschool!.  See our website for details on these and all our events at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Again, thank you. We value your involvement, and greatly respect your dedication.