Happy 2013!

As many of you know, Beltway Atheists, Inc. is the corporate non-profit 501(c)(3) entity for NOVA Atheists. This corporation is where all operating funds are maintained for the activities we do, such as:

• Tabling at events such as the Values Voters Summit,
• Our campaign to end religious displays on the Leesburg Courthouse lawn, which continues, with events and activism to be announced,
• Educational outreach to the community,
• Social events such as the annual Festivus party,
• and others, many of which we are planning now for the coming year.

We are growing rapidly and, by any measure, are a successful and nationally recognized atheist organization. However, last year, we were hit by a malicious opposition to our trademarked name. It was brought by a wealthy person who has a personal grudge against Rick Wingrove, who created the name and logo back in 2005. Unfortunately, the US Patent & Trademark office has only one process to defend against a trademark opposition, and it takes years, and lots of legal fees, to get through it. We still have $1800 in unpaid legal fees, and more depositions, with fees and travel costs, are coming soon.

We need your help - Rick and I can't afford these costs personally, and they are not costs that can be deferred. If we do not defend the Beltway Atheists name, there is a possibility that the corporation is gone, and so are the Beltway Atheists and NOVA Meetups.

We propose a fund drive to raise $6000 in two months. We'll keep you informed of our progress (no, we won't send reminders every day!).

It's easy to give - just go to www.beltwayatheists.org and click on the donate button - it's tax-deductible too.

Save Beltway! Thanks, Rick and Ellen Wingrove

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