What makes a legend?

The best stories, the best legends, have four things going for it. 
A Battle- a hardship or enemy that must be overcome, something to lose that’s
 WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Sacrifice- The battle must be hard. 
No legends were made by winning an easy battle
Heroes- Brave souls that are willing to risk everything and enter the battle, because their cause is WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Victory – The cause is won! The enemy is vanquished! And the story of triumph endures

Nearly sixteen years ago, a group of teenagers in Fairbanks had lost something worth fighting for.
The place where they gathered to stay safe, to dream, to build relationships and to worship God had been taken away.
They needed a hero, someone that would help them rebuild what they lost and dream about building something more.
They found their heroes in each other, in their families, and in Mike and Linda Setterberg. 
The “something more” that they built was Joel’s Place. 
It was the prize that was fought and sacrificed for. A prize to be enjoyed and endure, to be passed on to the next group of teenagers needing a safe place to dream, build, create, and grow.

I believe that Joel’s Place was and still is WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Today, our enemy is misunderstanding. 
Believing that Joel’s Place is just a skate park, and kids can just go somewhere else to have fun. Not realizing how many families depend on Joel’s Place for their kids to be safe after school, to be fed, to get homework help, and to experience success.
Today, our enemy is apathy.
The hardship it creates is taking Joel’s Place for granted, and expecting that it will just always be here to serve kids in need. 
Without some heroes to fight with us, Joel’s Place can’t stand. 
We can’t stand under the weight of increasing expenses and lower giving. We can’t stand under the increasing competition of worthy non-profits who are fighting for the same grant money. 
We can only stand as part of a community that makes young people a top priority.
So now, I ask you to stand with us. To take your turn at being a hero to a kid that is bored, hungry, lonely, and needing a place to belong.

We are looking for 500 heroes to donate $50 a month to keep Joel’s Place standing. 
Some can do more, some can do less, but if everyone who believes that Joel’s Place is worth fighting for, does SOMETHING, we will win.

For one week, starting Monday, the 21st, all new recurring donations will receive a one-time match from Global Giving.  
Please be as generous as you can, even if it means sacrificing an extra trip to the movies, or Starbucks. 

Now is the right time to band together. It’s not someone else’s responsibility. 
It’s OUR responsibility and privilege to stand up for youth in Fairbanks.
Be a hero, join our cause, make the sacrifice.
Be legendary.