It’s truly amazing how the universe lets you know when you’re headed in the right direction.

From finding an incredibly talented web designer to donate his time to stumbling upon extremely capable pro bono legal representation and a woman from Africa with a background in philanthropy who’s been giving us sound advice, we’ve yet to find a closed door. We’ve even come across a photographer who just happens to be traveling to Tanzania the same time we are and has agreed to teach the children of Shepherds Junior a photography lesson using brand new digital cameras that he’s secured as a donation from his employer. Most importantly, we’ve partnered with several of you to throw your own Epic house parties across North America over the next month or so to raise our first donations. We’re well on our way! To date, Epic Change has already raised an amazing $20,850! We’re nearly 10% of the way to our initial goal, and we’ve only just begun.

So, while I must admit I’m totally spent from weeks filled with all-nighters writing web content, editing our video, planning fundraisers, composing press releases, networking with potential donors and collaborators, building a board, drafting legal agreements, setting up bank accounts, arguing endlessly amongst ourselves about the “right” approach to each task, and doing everything else that goes along with setting up any entrepreneurial endeavor, I am more invigorated than I’ve been in a long time. Sleep is highly overrated.

Apparently all of that effort has been worth it, too – because you’re here now. If you’ve made it here, then the message is getting out - and that’s what all of this work has been about. It’s not about me or Sanjay saving the world (although we’ll give it our best shot!), but it is about tapping into the generosity, intelligence and tenderness of each of our friends, and their friends and so on to build a network individuals who together can make Epic Change happen. Our efforts will be meaningless without your support and involvement.

So I’ve probably read about a million quotes from incredibly influential individuals over the last several weeks in an attempt to find just the right words to convince each of you that you should help us out. In the end, I wasn’t sure if Gandhi, Dale Carnegie, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu or Dr. Seuss would be most persuasive. Here’s what I’ve learned, though: you don’t need convincing. Everyone we’ve talked to – friends, family, colleagues, have immediately offered whatever help they’re able. I feel blessed to have built a life surrounded by a group of people so ready, willing and able to not only support a worthwhile cause, but also to support us personally as we undertake this experiment in social entrepreneurship.

While I know I probably don’t even have to ask, I do hope you’ll make whatever donation you can to support us, attend or host an Epic Change event, get on our d-list, subscribe to our Facebook and MySpace pages, watch our YouTube video as many times as you can stand and, most importantly, pass our information on to everyone you know with your personal endorsement.

Check back often to hear more about what your support and donations have accomplished. Better yet, subscribe to our RSS feed so you’re the first to know when Epic Change has happened.

Much more later . . . until then, many thanks for all of the help and support I know you’re about to provide . . .