RPCV Mike Kelleher and Pres. Obama's Mail

More than one person forwarded to us yesterday's front page New York Times story on Mike Kelleher, White House Director of Presidential Correspondence, who each day selects 10 letters out of thousands for the President to read (Don't worry, we saw it too!) 

As it happens, Mr. Kelleher served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone in the 1980's.  And Sierra Leone is among the 20 countries requesting Peace Corps volunteers to return their country.  Figuring it can't hurt, MorePeaceCorps Campaign Coordinator Rajeev Goyal is urging people to send 100 personalized, hand-written (optional) letters by Friday, April 24 to President Obama urging robust funding to Peace Corps in 2010.

Said Mr. Kelleher, Obama's "mailman," in the NY Times article, “We pick messages that are compelling, things people say that, when you read it, you get a chill,” said Mr. Kelleher, 47. “I send him letters that are uncomfortable messages.”

So send on your best! 

Rajeev adds,

"Please hand-write your letter and tell your story (and if you can, please scan and send me a copy at rajeev@morepeacecorps.org or simply let me know that you took action).  Tell the story of who you are and what the Peace Corps did for your life.  Who did you meet in your village or town and how did that person influence your life?  If you want to include a picture, that would probably also get attention.  Who would you be if you never were a Peace Corps volunteer?  The only thing I ask is that you include the request for $450 million to Peace Corps in the President's FY 2010 budget.  If you can mention the 15,000 and growing supporters of the MorePeaceCorps campaign, that would also help.

Mr. Kelleher is yet another example of the profound legacy of Peace Corps volunteers.  Lets get his attention!  If you can send me a copy, it would help.  My address is: Rajeev Goyal, MorePeaceCorps, c/o M+R Strategic Services, 80 Broad Street, Suite 1700, New York NY 10004

Here is the address for our President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Best Wishes,
Rajeev