Get out & volunteer... Later this month, get out & vote...

It's been one of those weeks where I'm not sure if I'm coming or going, both personally and professionally. Politically, well, I know both where I'm coming from and where I'm going, but more on that in a minute.

As you may know, this was a very important week: 214 years ago on the 4th of August, the United States Coast Guard started as the Revenue Cutter Service. I mention this because, as you know, Dave is a Coast Guard veteran. The values of the Coast Guard -- honor, respect, devotion to duty -- are ingrained in his being. These are values which will guide him as the Representative from the 18th District.

However, he can't get there without your help. We're coming from years in the wilderness where the average American doesn't count inside the Beltway. With your help, we're headed to a time when you and me, plain-old-ordinary-Americans, count. Your help is needed to put Dave, and those who agree with his values, in Washington.

How can you help? Well, today I received the following. Take note:

Greetings Everyone,

Thank you all for making this weekend our most successful yet, as twenty-five Patlak volunteers came out to help at our Saturday and Sunday events. In case you missed it, the weekend in review is right after the info on what’s up this week.

Here’s what we got going on this week:

Saturday Morning, August 7th: Canvass Pinecrest
Join us on Saturday, from 9 to Noon, as we canvass the registered Democrats of Pinecrest. We’ll all go out in teams to knock on doors and talk with our base about Dave Patlak. We’ll all be meeting at the Starbuck’s located in the strip mall on U.S. 1 and SW 112th St at 9:00am. We’ll all take off at about 9:10. I’ll be there at 8:30 for early arrivals.

Sunday Afternoon, August 8th: Grand Opening of the new DCCF Office in Homestead
Come join us from 3 to 6pm for the Grand Opening of the DCCF Office, located in the Pioneer Mall at 224 Washington Avenue, in Homestead. Dave Patlak will appear in the flesh (and a suit), as well as Air America Radio AM 940 and Haitian Radio AM 1610, who will be broadcasting the event live and on location. Come show your support, and don’t forget to wear those stylish Dave Patlak for Congress t-shirts.

Sunday Evening: Phone Bank
Then, after the grand opening, join us as we break in the new office. Come help us phone bank from 6 to 9pm – help us reach out and touch Democratic voters in Homestead and beyond. We have less than a month to go before the primary, and with your help we can make sure that people know the name Dave Patlak on August 31st.

Food and drink for all who attend.

Monday and Tuesday Evening: Phone Bank
On every Monday and Tuesday evening, from now until the primary on Aug. 31st, there will be phone banking at the home of the volunteer coordinator (me) from 7 to 9pm. Everyone who attends will have ample and delicious food, and more importantly, the pleasure of my company. These phone banking sessions will be held at Dave Jordan’s house, at 8370 SW 65th Ave, apt. 9, located in Jade Gardens Apartments in South Miami. PLEASE CALL 305 666-2519 TO RSVP, and for directions to this venue.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

On Saturday morning, fifteen of us attended the Cuban American protest against the new and insidious travel restrictions outside of Ileana’s office, located outside the district (go figure). Patlak volunteers handed out signs and flyers to an enthusiastic crowd of four hundred protesters. More than two hundred protesters signed our postcard petition against these extreme and inhumane measures. Also on hand was Dave “Elvis” Patlak, who was mobbed for an hour by protesters and press for quotes, handshakes and autographs. We made the networks with a long spot on ABC at 6:30. Thank you to everyone for attending and helping create such a successful event.

Then in the afternoon, we dodged the raindrops in Westchester to flyer the doors of all registered Democrats. Great job by all - Thanks!

On Sunday afternoon, a dozen volunteers converged on the home of the volunteer coordinator to stuff envelopes and construct lawn signs. We stuffed and sealed more than a thousand fundraising letters in less than an hour and a half – shattering last weeks pace of two hours and fifty minutes. Athens, here we come! Thank you to everyone for your dedication and manual dexterity.

We finished off the weekend with a Sunday evening phone bank for Dave. Seven of us, including the candidate himself called and identified hundreds of District 18 voters for the August primary. And Dave treated us all to fresh mangos from his backyard’s trees and pizza from Pizza Hut. Thanks Dave! And thanks to everyone for doing such a great job this weekend.

A general announcement: Erika Brigham’s dog – the loveable and hungry dachshund, Henry, is now our official campaign mascot (just don’t tell that to Dave’s bunny, Pluto).

See y’all this weekend, and beyond,

Dave Jordan
Volunteer Coordinator
305 666-2519

P.S. I would be neglecting my duties if I didn’t mention you can contribute on-line at http://www.patlak.org . Your support makes it possible for all these great event to take place. If you can’t volunteer this weekend, please consider a contribution instead. Thanks!!

To help out with the campaign, write patlakvolunteer@hotmail.com.