When Things Get Tough, DPOE Volunteers Work Harder

We all know that virtue is its own reward, but it's still nice to get a little recognition once in a while.

That's exactly what the DPOE and its amazing volunteers got last week from Jeremy Bird, Deputy National Director of Organizing for America. In a letter to DPOE Executive Director Toni Gilpin, Bird praised Evanston volunteers for their substantial contribution to assuring passage of the historic health care legislation.

On behalf of the millions of Organizing for America supporters from coast to coast, I want to thank you and the Democratic Party of Evanston for all the work you did to contribute to these incredible victories. I know that volunteers working out of your office made well over 20,000 phone calls to Illinois voters since we began our campaign for health reform—and that it’s contributions like these that made all the difference. OFA supporters in Evanston have told me countless stories about how they were able to count on the DPOE since we began the fight—and how when things got tough you and your team simply worked even harder to get things done. I know DPOE has participated in just about every OFA activity we’ve initiated—turning out large numbers of volunteers for each event—and I can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate your support.

 

There’s no question we have more work ahead of us—including around Wall Street reform, continuing to create jobs, and building a clean energy economy, among other issues—and OFA is thankful we have great allies in DPOE and Evanston’s wonderful elected leaders. As you know, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senator Jeff Schoenberg, Representative Julie Hamos, Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and Commissioner Debra Shore have each played a role in supporting OFA’s grassroots work in Evanston— we look forward to continuing to work together to make improvements for our families and communities.

As Bird mentions, there are still a few things--jobs, financial reform, building a clean economy--on the Democratic agenda, and they will undoubtedly prove to be as contentious as healthcare reform. Needless to say, the DPOE has plenty of ways for you to continue the fight, starting with Saturday's Advancing Change 2010.  Please join us!