I am reaching out to you with the hope that you will embrace our community by supporting an effort to help save the lives of our children.

The program that I helped create based upon the murder of my cousin, GUNS ASIDE, is holding a fundraiser at Laurel Race Track on February 26 and I sincerely would appreciate your becoming involved. This initiative receives no funding from outside sources and depend on fundraisers such as this to sustain our efforts.

Please look at the information I am forwarding, or visit our website – www.rootinc.org - and join with me on February 26 at Laurel Race Track.

Invite your family, friends, or business associates, donate what you can, buy tickets to our fundraiser and/or attend! We feel that we are saving lives and I’m asking for your help to spread the word and help make a difference with your tax deductible contribution.

Please call my office at 410 576.9199 or my cell, 202 299.6467, to purchase tickets of if you have any questions.

Thanks in advance and look forward to seeing you at Laurel!

Gary Bellamy

ROOT Inc. proudly invites you to

Saturday, February 26, 2005 11:30 am - 5 pm

Are you as concerned we are are about the violence plaguing our schools, our streets, and our communities? Do you wish to make a statement against gun violence and TAKE A PROACTIVE STANCE AGAINST SENSELESS VIOLENCE? Please show your concern to these issues and join with ROOT, Inc. on February 26, 2005 for an exciting day at the races to help promote our �GUNS ASIDE Campaign!�

ROOT, Inc., in conjunction with Laurel Raceway, is sponsoring “Racing to Eradicate Gun Violence Day� and your donations are tax deductible! Please visit our website for sponsorship and ticket info. http://www.rootinc.org/race.html

In addition to viewing thrilling, live horse racing and having a professional handicapper to teach or assist you, you will dine on a lavish buffet with premium open bar, as well as have an opportunity to bid on one of a kind items, including donations by the nation’s past and present leading jockeys. There will be celebrity guests, government leaders, sports figures, community representatives, and members from the media, to help us spread the message that it’s time for more pro-action and less reaction!

On this day as well, there will be a horse race named in honor of ROOT Inc/Guns Aside. A trophy presentation will be made, in the winners circle, to the winning jockey and horse. Present in the winners circle for this outstanding photo opportunity will be celebrity guests, the top contributors to this campaign, Guns Aside creator Gary Bellamy, and ROOT founder and President, Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS.

Trail Blazing Sponsorship Investment/Magna Entertainment Corporation, owners of Laurel Race Park, are so committed to this cause, that, in addition to making this an annual event, they have pledged $5,000.00 to “Racing to Eradicate Gun Violence Day� and openly challenge other donors to match or surpass their contribution.

Please join us to help make a statement on this extraordinary day, perhaps the first of its kind. We look forward to your contributing efforts and involvement in this and future endeavors with ROOT Inc.; thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

http://www.rootinc.org/race.html