Fundraiser Success
I want to thank all of you that came out to Savanna’s fundraiser. We had a big crowd; we estimate about 600 people and I think everyone had a great time. We actually had 7 SMA kids there this year. That was wonderful. I know that you all see Savanna, but I think it’s great when you can see other kids that have SMA and see how happy they all are as well. It also makes you realize how severe the different types can be as you look at Lanie, who is a strong Type 2 and Savanna who is a strong Type 1. There is a world of difference between them in their strength. I’ve had to learn to not compare Savanna with the other children and realize that God just gave her strengths in other areas.
As for the big total. I still don’t have concrete numbers because I am waiting on invoices to come in. Some of the things we are billed for after the event, so I am just estimating. I figure we made about $43,000 before expenses. We had about $4500 available for Savanna for her direct expenses and about $35,500 or $36,000 to go to FSMA.
Our expenses were quite a bit higher this year because of the new place, but we feel it was well worth it. Each year we learn some things that we could do differently.
We appreciate so much all of the donations that you all made to FSMA or to Savanna directly. After we pay some medical expenses of hers, we are planning on paying about $2000 down on the wheelchair van so that the payments will be more in our budget.
As for you blood donors, now is the time to make your way over to Carter Blood Centers. Most of you will be donating as replacement credits for Savanna. When you go in to donate, just tell them that you are donating as a replacement credit. Her surgery is scheduled for Sept 15th at Cook Children’s. They want the blood between 5 and 14 days of surgery. I was told they only wanted 3 to 4 people as directed donors and I have sent emails to those people. We are still not sure which surgery she will have. I have left a message for the doctor and I understand that he was meeting with the sales rep yesterday regarding the type of rod to use with Savanna. Please continue to pray that he will have the correct instrumentation and wisdom and knowledge to do the growing rods. I should know which way we are heading next week.
I hope to go ahead and schedule next year’s fundraiser in the next few weeks. We plan on pushing the date back to mid-August. If any of you would like to help, we certainly need more committee members. We are a pretty small committee and all have like 100 jobs each! As I have told many of you before, I had never organized a fundraiser before in my life until we started Savanna’s fundraiser. It was just a step of faith and I must say the Lord never lets me down. Anytime I am willing to step out in faith with something, whether big or small, he always blesses it. I will tell you that we spend a lot of hours and hard work doing what we do, but the reward is so worth it. We are all on such a high the night of the event and then we all crash for like a week afterward. If you are interested in helping with next year’s event, please contact me. We would love to have you.
Thank you again for all your prayers, work and donations on behalf of our Sunshine. I will email everyone after her surgery to let you all know how she is doing. Please continue to lift her up in your prayers for the surgery to be a complete success with no complications or infections and a quick and full recovery.
By the way, Savanna loves watching her video of herself. She wants to watch it over and over again. I understand that is typical for children her age. I’m so glad when she does things that are typical for her age!
Love,
Mindy
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