AMERICAN MOTHERS TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR KERRY/EDWARDS IMAGINE" IS GROUPS THEME -- THE POWER OF 100 MILLION MOTHERS MOMS FOR KERRY ORGANIZING REGIONALLY AND VIRTUALLY Website, www.momsforkerry.com is live

Moms for Kerry announces support of Kerry/Edwards ticket. Group formed in November, offers mothers an opportunity to get involved with the campaign at a grassroots level and take a stand on behalf of America's children. Moms for Kerry to host house parties, coordinate a weekly letter to the editor campaign from Labor Day to Election Day. Major event will be nationwide rally on October 30 at 3:00 pm EDT where mothers will gather across the country - in small towns and big cities and all points in between- to demonstrate their support for John Kerry and John Edwards and to unite hands and hearts for America's kids.

July 28, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEIDI WANKEN

972/562-1614

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) July 29, 2004 -- Citing the need to take direct action on behalf of Americas children and their future, a group of mothers that formed to support John Kerrys candidacy will organize house parties, a letter to the editor campaign and a major nationwide rally over the next hundred days. The organization, Moms for Kerry, plans to have a major online presence that will serve as a virtual meeting place for the millions of mothers across the country seeking to elect John Kerry in Novembers election.

Mothers voices must speak loud and strong this election cycle," commented Heidi Wanken, the founder of the group. We have a responsibility to our children to ensure a brighter tomorrow filled with hope and prosperity instead of the borrow and bankrupt policies of the Bush administration that are being bankrolled on the backs of our children."

Moms for Kerry formed in November as a core group of mothers determined to make a difference in the 2004 election through grassroots organizing. Following the Bush policies of the last few years that have abandoned Americas children in favor of special interests, the group felt the need to take action and get involved in the political process so as to make their voices heard. There are more than 100 million mothers in this country and the demographic is one that is often courted by candidates as a result of the power of such a large and committed voting bloc.

When mothers pull the lever at the polls, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of their children and look for the candidate who will put the interests of Americas children and their future as a top priority. John Kerry and John Edwards have demonstrated that they will do that and they have outlined a plan for our childrens future that is comprehensive in its scope," Wanken said.

The Kerry/Edwards' platform includes making health care affordable and available to all Americans, reenacting environmental protections that have been gutted over the last three years, a revamping of No Child Left Behind that will create a stronger and better education system and a comprehensive college opportunities initiative that will enable more American young people to attend college through a national service program and financial aid reform.

As the mother of two young children, I feel a duty to get involved and speak on behalf of my children," said Sandy McMinn, a founding member from Texas. Usually I just complain and vote, complain and vote. Well, this time I realized that I had to do more -- that as a mother and just as an ordinary American, I must take action to reverse the destructive policies of the last few years. If I dont get out there and fight for my kids, who will?" McMinn commented.

The groups website went live in mid-January and awareness of the group and its role in the campaign has caught the attention of moms across the country in the same way our grandmothers passed along information years ago -- the proverbial motherhood word of mouth grapevine.

In this case, however, Moms for Kerry has harnessed the power of the Internet and 21st century mothers and others who care about Americas kids are connecting on the Internet as a virtual coffee klatch for a modern day breakfast table gathering.

We have seen an exponential increase each day of unique visitors to the site -- and based on their membership information, they are from all over the country with different political and socio-economic backgrounds. The thing that unites us is the common bond of our children and our mutual interest in giving our children a prosperous and bright future, something we dont feel is likely under a second Bush administration," Wanken said.

There are republicans, northerners, southerners, Californians and New Yorkers. There are single moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms and older moms. We have a cross-section of this country, united behind a cause and candidate, which is an amazing feat accomplished through the Internet," commented Wanken.

Some of the activities the group is planning include a weekly letter to the editor campaign from Labor Day to Election Day in which moms will write letters to the editors of their local newspapers based on the subject of the week.

Each week will feature a topic relevant to Americas children and their futures, including education, the environment, foreign policy, health care and job opportunities. The moms will receive guidelines and background on writing the letters and will be encouraged to write individual letters from the heart and mind to their local newspapers opinions page.

Members also plan to host house parties where they can invite friends and family to hear about John Kerry and his plan for America and our children. This will serve as an awareness-building effort to introduce John Kerry to Americas moms -- including those who may have no prior involvement with a political campaign as well as a final virtual get out the vote push in November.

The groups activities will culminate on October 30, 2004 when mothers across the country will unite their hands and hearts as they take a stand for Americas children. There will be rallies organized across the country in small towns and big cities, each of them taking place at the exact same time. The rallies will be held on the steps of state capitols and outside city halls, in front of major shopping areas and in town plazas. They will be organized locally by moms in cities throughout the country and will be attended by mothers and their children, as well as all those concerned about the future of Americas children.

The rally is being promoted as One day. One hour. One chance to take back our country," and will be an opportunity for participants to demonstrate to the country that American mothers will be out in force on Election Day and that they will support John Kerry. The rally organizers want to coordinate an event that moms can attend in their own backyards as a local grassroots activity to show that you dont have to march on Washington to make your voice heard. Instead, mothers will organize and meet in their individual communities throughout the country as a show of solidarity for our children and the future of all Americans.

Some of the rallies will feature famous mothers while others will highlight local moms and

elected officials who will speak about John Kerry and John Edwards and why they are the choice for Americas children and mothers. Others will include participants marching in purposeful silence as they express how this administration has silenced the future of Americas children through its destructive policies on education, the environment, foreign policy and the economy.

The website will include a variety of features designed to appeal to American moms (and others who care about our kids), including a regular news briefing of the top campaign stories, current polling data, political and issue-oriented links, message boards for moms to share ideas and organize across the country, background on John Kerry and John Edwards as well as information on involvement opportunities with the group.

Currently enlisting regional organizers, Moms for Kerry hopes to impact the November election through local and national activities as well as a strong Internet presence throughout the cycle.

Mothers are the caretakers of tomorrows leaders. It is our privilege and responsibility to take action on behalf of our children and to ensure that we fight for their future in this election," declared Annie Julson, a founding member from Washington state. I support John Kerry because he will fight for my daughters and ensure that our country is stronger and better for them and their future. That means a lot to me, and though I am already busy as a wife, mother and student, I plan to get out there and support him from now to Election Day to make sure we have a regime change right here at home!" said Julson.

The website is www.momsforkerry.com and all Americans who care about our children and their futures are invited to visit and get involved with this growing grassroots movement.

HEIDI WANKEN

972/562-1614

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