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Thank you for reviewing and providing feedback on the proposal to establish a community garden on the property in the Lincoln Park area where the Fred Douglass schools were once located. I am writing to share some of the benefits of this project. Since 1991 (30 years), the Fred Douglass Alumni Association (FDAA) has had a goal of putting a structure on the property to house programs that will help re-build the surrounding community. However, efforts to reach that goal have not been successful. Therefore, we are proposing a different approach for utilizing the property, which we feel will serve our community and help us reach our goal. Attached is a list of some of the benefits that can be realized by this project. We strongly believe that the community garden concept is the "right" kind of project to start first in the community. As soon as possible, we are going to launch a fundraising plan to raise money for this community garden project and subsequently, a building structure. George Davis suggested that we contact the agriculture department at Jacksonville ISD schools to engage their participation in this project, which is a great idea. The talents and abilities of FDAA members, with various backgrounds, are needed to help with this project. Next month we will be reaching out to the elementary schools to start developing relationships. Our Fred Douglass Family includes a fine group of people operating as a team with the common objective of keeping the Fred Douglass dream alive and improving the community. All of us play an important part in making this happen. I am pleased and honored to be part of the Fred Douglass Family, and I am looking forward to all of us working on this important community project together.

Sincerely,

Willie J. Howard