Gift From a Believer

"The large manila envelope arrived looking suspiciously like junk mail," recalls Illinois Sierra Club organizer Douglas Chien. "Since it wasn't addressed to anyone, I went to open it over the recycling bin. Imagine my shock when a bundle of checks tumbled out!"

On reading the accompanying letter and card, Chien says he was "impressed and humbled by the powerful statement of belief in the mission of the Sierra Club and the effort one individual had put forth to support our work."

The package was from Quinn "Duke" Zimmer of Evanston, Illinois, above and below, who lives with Down Syndrome. The Center for Independent Futures, where Zimmer lives, encourages residents to pursue their interests and passions as a way of connecting with the broader community. Zimmer decided to combine his interests in art, poetry, and community service by designing and selling holiday cards and donating the proceeds to the Sierra Club. To date, his support for the Club exceeds $700.

To express their gratitude, Club leaders in Chicago invited Zimmer to visit their office, where he was presented with a Sierra Club t-shirt and water bottle, above. Zimmer is pictured below with, left to right, Club organizers Colleen Sarna, Chien, and Jennifer Hensley, intern Michael Hess, and chapter staffer James Mastaler. Asked if he'd like to say anything to the 26,000 members of the Illinois Chapter, Zimmer said he wished to "give my gratitude to our members for their sacrifice in the support of the environment."

From all of us at the Sierra Club, "Thank you, Duke!"

Anyone wishing to purchase Zimmer's cards may contact Jacqueline Heavey at the Center for Independent Futures: jheavey@independentfutures.com.