20 hour benefit crop!

We are excited to be planning the 5th annual 20 Hour Benefit Crop with Treasury of Memories (my sister's scrapbooking store). Our "Crop for Kids" is scheduled for April 4th and 5th.

This year we are delighted to be raising money for TWO children's organizations...Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center of Seattle and The Sisu Children's Fund of Bellingham. (Please read below for more information or use the links to visit their websites.) Participants and donors will have the opportunity to designate a donation to either organization.

Both organizations have helped our community and I am eternally grateful for their service. I am just thrilled and so very proud of the Treasury of Memories staff, customers, friends, family, and community members who step forward each year to make a difference for children. Let's once again put together our energy, resources, and connections and make the 2008 crop another great success!!!

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Incredible miracles take place everyday at Children's. Thousands of local children (including our very own "Mighty Max") have been touched personally by the hospital's dedication and amazing medical experience. We are blessed to have this hospital near our community and are proud to be once again supporting their efforts to help children live happy, healthy lives.

THE SISU CHILDREN'S FUND

Sisu, sisü, v., to show courage, strength and determination in the face of adversity, —n., a magical quality which combines stamina and courage in reserve for difficult times. [Finnish].

Whenever I describe the Sisu Fund, I offer the friendly nickname of "the crack filler". What do I mean by that? Well, when you have a child with special needs, you have a lot of extraordinary expenses...from therapy and medical appointments to equipment and medicines. While insurance helps with some costs, often times the financial burden is on the family.

Can you imagine not being able to afford more therapy appointments to help your child learn to talk or the proper equipment to help your child walk? These are basic skills, but some children require intensive intervention to make it happen. That is when The Sisu Fund steps in. They try and help "fill the cracks" that a family or insurance coverage cannot cover.

The Sisu Children’s Fund is a charitable fund to assist children and young adults with medical and/or physical disabilities. The fund was established in memory of Jolene, daughter of Frank and Barbara Sanchez. They understand firsthand the extraordinary medical and therapeutic expenses associated with children’s special needs and want to help relieve that financial burden.

This past summer, they were amazing to me and Maxwell. They made it possible for us to attend the biennial CHARGE conference in California. Other recent ways they have supported families include six months of intensive therapy for a child with autism and a wheelchair not covered by insurance for another individual.

Their annual budget is approximately $15,000 - $25,000. Our support will make a big difference in how many children they can help next year.

*The Sisu Children's Fund is available to any young person in Washington, but priority is given to children living in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

If you are in the area, we would love for you to attend this exciting event! If you are not, your financial support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for your support of these two very worthy organizations!