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Dear Beloved Friends and Supporters,

I am V. Rev. Fr. Samer Youssef, pastor of the Orthodox Church of the Redeemer in Los Altos Hills, California.

On November 8, 2026, my son Dominic and I will run the Monterey Bay Half Marathon together. I will be celebrating my 60th birthday on October 27, and I cannot think of a more meaningful way to enter this new chapter of my life than by running alongside my son for a cause that has been close to my heart for more than 25 years.

When I ran my full marathon as a fundraiser for the Church of the Redeemer, so many generous people came alongside me. Through our GoFundMe campaign, we raised $25,000, and that entire amount was matched as part of the $1 million matching challenge that our parish successfully met.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported that effort.

But our journey is not finished.

Now we have another extraordinary opportunity.

We have received a new challenge from a generous donor: up to $500,000 will be matched for our Building Fund through December 31, 2026.

Our groundbreaking is planned for Spring 2027, and we are now closer than ever to seeing the building project we have prayed and worked for become a reality.

When I was assigned to the Church of the Redeemer in 2000, we began dreaming of building a fellowship hall and school for our children and families. Then, on April 7, 2002, our church was devastated by an arson fire.

Our plans were delayed, but our faith was not destroyed.

For more than two decades, we have continued to pray, work, give, and persevere. In many ways, this building project has been a marathon—a long journey requiring faith, patience, sacrifice, and endurance.

Now we are in the final stretch.

My son Dominic and I are running the Monterey Bay Half Marathon to raise $15,000 for the Building Fund.

We are asking you to join us once again.

Would you sponsor our run and help us take advantage of this $500,000 matching challenge?

A gift of $100 can become $200.
A gift of $500 can become $1,000.
A gift of $1,000 can become $2,000.

Every gift brings us closer to the finish line.

This building will not simply be bricks and walls. It will be a place for our children and grandchildren—a fellowship hall, educational space, and home for the life of our parish, where future generations can worship, learn the Orthodox faith, build friendships, and grow together in Christ.

As St. Paul reminds us:

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
— Hebrews 12:1–2

On November 8, Dominic and I will run together—father and son, side by side.

But we need you to run with us.

Please pray for us. Please sponsor our run. Please share this campaign with your family and friends.

Together, let us finish what we started in 2000.

Together, let us meet this $500,000 matching challenge.

Together, let us break ground in Spring 2027.

Together, let us build a lasting legacy for the generations who will come after us.

Orthodox Church of the Redeemer
380 Magdalena Avenue
Los Altos Hills, California

Our first marathon fundraiser raised $25,000—and it was matched.
Now, with your help, we can do it again.

May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you, your families, and all who support this sacred work.

With love in Christ,
V. Rev. Fr. Samer Youssef, D.Min.
Orthodox Church of the Redeemer
Los Altos Hills, California